How to Steal a Million (1966): Heist, 1960s style
1966 • William Wyler • 2.35:1 • Jump to Gallery ↓
Directed by William Wyler, How to Steal a Million is a romantic comedy with caper elements that prioritises elegance over procedural suspense. The plot follows Audrey Hepburn as the daughter of an art forger who enlists the help of a sophisticated thief to steal a fake sculpture from a Paris museum before experts can expose her father’s fraud.
While presenting Paris as a sophisticated city, the film focuses on Hepburn’s screen presence. Her wardrobe, designed by Hubert de Givenchy, is meticulously showcased, most notably the iconic black lace eye-mask ensemble. At times, the film functions less as a heist thriller and more as a fashion spectacle built around movement, pose, and couture display.
Still, the museum break-in sequence is the centerpiece of the movie, a great use of geometric blocking and architectural symmetry. The tension builds through timing and positioning, even if the dialogue-driven flirtation feels more dangerous than the bubbling security guards.
Technical Specs:
- The Story: A resourceful woman enlists the help of a charming thief to steal a priceless statue from a Paris museum to prevent her forger father’s deception from being exposed.
- Actors: Audrey Hepburn, Peter O’Toole, Hugh Griffith, Eli Wallach, Charles Boyer.
- Director: William Wyler
- Year: 1966
- Cinematographer: Charles Lang
- Origin: American Cinema
- Aspect Ratio: 2.35:1 (Panavision)
- Genre: Romantic Comedy / Heist Films
