tedg Publish time 2-4-2021 04:52:08

The Template

Spoilers herein.

I don't know when this genre first appeared -- the `team heist' -- but this surely is the film that defined it as a genre.

A team of distinct characters. A genius planner. An incredibly elaborate plan. Lots of group dynamics, including humorous episodes. Some twists. As with a few other British genre-definers, this is as nearly perfect as one can get until the ending.

And as with many genres, the ending is malleable. The most recent I have seen is the `Oceans' Eleven' remake, where the crooks get away.

Attenborough's acting style is never so plain as here. One can see his theatrical approach to film -- it stretches through all his directing through to `Passage to India.'

Ted's Evaluation -- 3 of 4: Worth watching.

score /10

tedg 27 October 2002

Reprint: https://www.imdb.com/review/rw0068250/35592
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