How to Steal a Million
Encyclopedia
How to Steal a Million is a 1966
heist
comedy film
, directed by William Wyler
and starring Peter O'Toole
, Audrey Hepburn
, and Hugh Griffith
. It is set and filmed in France
, though the characters speak entirely in English
. Audrey Hepburn's clothes were designed by Givenchy
.
painting. Hepburn plays Nicole Bonnet, the daughter of genius art fraud Charles Bonnet (Griffith). The central theme of the movie is the recovery from a Paris
ian museum of a fake Cellini committed by Bonnet's grandfather, before it is discovered and exposed as such, and is enlivened by the romantic angle between the characters played by O'Toole and Hepburn.
to a museum. One night, his daughter Nicole finds Dermott carrying one of the many paintings in their house (which happens to be forged). He says he is a high society burglar, and she accidentally shoots him in the arm with a pistol so old it does almost no harm. Knowing that if she reports him there will be an investigation and the family's secret destroyed, she offers to drive the man home.
Later, she and her father learn that his sculpture is going to have a mandatory authenticity test, which leaves them both devastated. In order to save her father, Nicole enlists Dermott's help to steal the sculpture. He accepts after some hesitation. They spend the evening in a storage closet in the museum, during which Dermott discloses that he knew about the Cellini forgery and explains his motivation for concealing his knowledge, conveying with a kiss; he and Nicole express their love for each other. Dermott twice uses a boomerang to set off the high-tech "electric eye
" alarm, thus confusing the guards into thinking it is defective. After the second time, the guards deactivate the alarm. The two take the sculpture (replacing it with a brandy bottle for the guards to notice) and walk out amidst all the confusion about the disappearance.
With the family saved, Dermott reveals he is actually a private detective who specializes in art fraud and will not take her father in, provided he forsakes his art forgery. Nicole and the "thief" follow through with their love and get married.
. The robbery scenes in the film were later copied for the Hindi
film Loafer
.
1966 in film
The year 1966 in film involved some significant events.-Events:Animation legend Walter Disney, well known for his creation of Mickey Mouse, died in 15 December 1966 of acute circulatory collapse following a diagnosis of, and surgery for, lung cancer...
heist
Heist film
A heist film is a film that has an intricate plot woven around a group of people trying to steal something. Versions with dominant or prominent comic elements are often called caper movies. They could be described as the analogues of caper stories in film history...
comedy film
Comedy film
Comedy film is a genre of film in which the main emphasis is on humour. They are designed to elicit laughter from the audience. Comedies are mostly light-hearted dramas and are made to amuse and entertain the audiences...
, directed by William Wyler
William Wyler
William Wyler was a leading American motion picture director, producer, and screenwriter.Notable works included Ben-Hur , The Best Years of Our Lives , and Mrs. Miniver , all of which won Wyler Academy Awards for Best Director, and also won Best Picture...
and starring Peter O'Toole
Peter O'Toole
Peter Seamus Lorcan O'Toole is an Irish actor of stage and screen. O'Toole achieved stardom in 1962 playing T. E. Lawrence in Lawrence of Arabia, and then went on to become a highly-honoured film and stage actor. He has been nominated for eight Academy Awards, and holds the record for most...
, Audrey Hepburn
Audrey Hepburn
Audrey Hepburn was a British actress and humanitarian. Although modest about her acting ability, Hepburn remains one of the world's most famous actresses of all time, remembered as a film and fashion icon of the twentieth century...
, and Hugh Griffith
Hugh Griffith
Hugh Emrys Griffith was a Welsh film, stage and television actor.-Early life:Griffith was born in Marianglas, Anglesey, Wales, the son of Mary and William Griffith. He was educated at Llangefni County School and attempted to gain entrance to university, but failed the English examination...
. It is set and filmed in France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
, though the characters speak entirely in English
English language
English is a West Germanic language that arose in the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms of England and spread into what was to become south-east Scotland under the influence of the Anglian medieval kingdom of Northumbria...
. Audrey Hepburn's clothes were designed by Givenchy
Givenchy
Givenchy is a French brand of clothing, accessories, perfumes and cosmetics with Parfums Givenchy.The house of Givenchy was founded in 1952 by designer Hubert de Givenchy and is a member of Chambre Syndicale de la Haute Couture et du Pret-a-Porter...
.
Synopsis
O'Toole appears as Simon Dermott, caught by Audrey Hepburn sneaking through her house clutching a forgedForged
Forged is a book written by biblical scholar, Bart D. Ehrman which attempts to analyze the historical accuracy of the Christian Bible. The book posits that 11 or more books out of the 27 books of the Christian New Testament canon were written as certain types of forgeries related to the politics...
painting. Hepburn plays Nicole Bonnet, the daughter of genius art fraud Charles Bonnet (Griffith). The central theme of the movie is the recovery from a Paris
Paris
Paris is the capital and largest city in France, situated on the river Seine, in northern France, at the heart of the Île-de-France region...
ian museum of a fake Cellini committed by Bonnet's grandfather, before it is discovered and exposed as such, and is enlivened by the romantic angle between the characters played by O'Toole and Hepburn.
Cast
- Audrey HepburnAudrey HepburnAudrey Hepburn was a British actress and humanitarian. Although modest about her acting ability, Hepburn remains one of the world's most famous actresses of all time, remembered as a film and fashion icon of the twentieth century...
- Nicole Bonnet - Peter O'ToolePeter O'ToolePeter Seamus Lorcan O'Toole is an Irish actor of stage and screen. O'Toole achieved stardom in 1962 playing T. E. Lawrence in Lawrence of Arabia, and then went on to become a highly-honoured film and stage actor. He has been nominated for eight Academy Awards, and holds the record for most...
- Simon Dermott - Hugh GriffithHugh GriffithHugh Emrys Griffith was a Welsh film, stage and television actor.-Early life:Griffith was born in Marianglas, Anglesey, Wales, the son of Mary and William Griffith. He was educated at Llangefni County School and attempted to gain entrance to university, but failed the English examination...
- Charles Bonnet - Eli WallachEli WallachEli Herschel Wallach is an American film, television and stage actor, who gained fame in the late 1950s. For his performance in Baby Doll he won a BAFTA Award for Best Newcomer and a Golden Globe nomination. One of his most famous roles is that of Tuco in The Good, the Bad and the Ugly...
- Davis Leland - Charles BoyerCharles BoyerCharles Boyer was a French actor who appeared in more than 80 films between 1920 and 1976. After receiving an education in drama, Boyer started on the stage, but he found success in movies during the 1930s. His memorable performances were among the era's most highly praised romantic dramas,...
- DeSolnay - Fernand GraveyFernand GraveyFernand Gravey , also known as Fernand Gravet in America, was the son of actors Georges Mertens and Fernande Depernay, who have appeared in silent films produced by pioneer "Belge Cinéma Film" .- Early life :He started performing at the age of five, under his father's direction...
- Grammont - Marcel DalioMarcel DalioMarcel Dalio was a French character actor. He had major roles in two of Jean Renoir's most famous films, Grand Illusion and The Rules of the Game.- Biography :...
- Paravideo - Jacques MarinJacques MarinJacques Marin was a French actor on film and TV. Marin's good command of the English language and his resemblance to the stereotypical Frenchman looks made him a familiar face in some major American and British productions and Disney movies Jacques Marin (September 9, 1919, Paris – January...
- Head of Security - Roger TrévilleRoger Tréville-Selected filmography:* The Rotters * Married Life * Sinister Street * The Green Glove * The Happy Road * Ponzio Pilato * How to Steal a Million...
- Auctioneer - Edward MalinEdward MalinEdward Ernest Malin was a British actor. He is perhaps most famous for portraying the mute and geriatric Walter in the sitcom Nearest and Dearest.-Selected filmography:* The Greed of William Hart...
- Insurance Clerk (as Eddie Malin)
Plot
Charles Bonnet is a professional art forger, and has just loaned a forged Cellini sculptureSculpture
Sculpture is three-dimensional artwork created by shaping or combining hard materials—typically stone such as marble—or metal, glass, or wood. Softer materials can also be used, such as clay, textiles, plastics, polymers and softer metals...
to a museum. One night, his daughter Nicole finds Dermott carrying one of the many paintings in their house (which happens to be forged). He says he is a high society burglar, and she accidentally shoots him in the arm with a pistol so old it does almost no harm. Knowing that if she reports him there will be an investigation and the family's secret destroyed, she offers to drive the man home.
Later, she and her father learn that his sculpture is going to have a mandatory authenticity test, which leaves them both devastated. In order to save her father, Nicole enlists Dermott's help to steal the sculpture. He accepts after some hesitation. They spend the evening in a storage closet in the museum, during which Dermott discloses that he knew about the Cellini forgery and explains his motivation for concealing his knowledge, conveying with a kiss; he and Nicole express their love for each other. Dermott twice uses a boomerang to set off the high-tech "electric eye
Electric eye
An electric eye is a photodetector used for detecting obstruction of a light beam. An example is the door safety system used on garage door openers that use a light transmitter and receiver at the bottom of the door to prevent closing if there is any obstruction in the way that breaks the light...
" alarm, thus confusing the guards into thinking it is defective. After the second time, the guards deactivate the alarm. The two take the sculpture (replacing it with a brandy bottle for the guards to notice) and walk out amidst all the confusion about the disappearance.
With the family saved, Dermott reveals he is actually a private detective who specializes in art fraud and will not take her father in, provided he forsakes his art forgery. Nicole and the "thief" follow through with their love and get married.
Popular culture
A verbal exchange between Nicole and her father during the film ("Papa!" "Nicole") was borrowed and adapted in a successful series of commercials for the Renault ClioRenault Clio
The Renault Clio is a supermini car produced by the French automobile manufacturer Renault. Originally launched in 1990, it is currently in its third generation...
. The robbery scenes in the film were later copied for the Hindi
Hindi
Standard Hindi, or more precisely Modern Standard Hindi, also known as Manak Hindi , High Hindi, Nagari Hindi, and Literary Hindi, is a standardized and sanskritized register of the Hindustani language derived from the Khariboli dialect of Delhi...
film Loafer
Loafer (1973 film)
Loafer is a 1973 Bollywood film directed by A. Bhimsingh. The film stars Dharmendra, Mumtaz, Padma Khanna, K.N. Singh. Parts of the film are inspired by the American films How to Steal a Million and Pocketful of Miracles.-Synopsis:...
.