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Rating: 4.5 out of 5
I love me a good heist film. I’m talking about a heist film that is not too straightforward but has a few twists in the end that will make you think. Movies like Ocean’s Eleven, the Italian Job, Inside Man, and others are great examples. A good heist film needs various characters that seem like misfits but somehow make it work consistently is a joy to watch.
The 1964 Topkapi is an excellent example of an outstanding heist film. Little history lesson: the Topkapı Palace is a large museum in the east of the Fatih district of Istanbul in Turkey. During the 15th and 16th centuries, it was the Ottoman sultans’ main residence and administrative headquarters. At the end of the Ottoman Empire in 1923, a government decree transformed Topkapi into a museum. One of the most famous items on display in the museum is the Spoonmaker’s Diamond and the Topkapi Dagger. The Spoonmaker’s Diamond is an 86-carat pear-shaped diamond and is the most valuable single exhibit in the museum. The diamond is considered the world’s fourth largest diamond of its kind. The Topkapi Dagger is an emerald-studded curved dagger. One side of the dagger handle is set with three large Colombian emeralds, with the other side decorated with many small diamonds.
Topkapi is a film directed by Jules Dassin with the idea of stealing the legendary Topkapi Dagger. Elizabeth Lipp (Mercouri) makes a trip to Istanbul, where she sees a traveling fair. The fair features many replicas of treasures from the Topkapı Palace. She cases the Topkapi and becomes obsessed with the emerald-encrusted dagger of Sultan Mahmud I. Wanting the dagger for her own, she decides that she should have it more than anyone else. Elizabeth recruits her ex-lover, Swiss master-criminal Walter Harper (Schell), to plan a theft of the dagger. Walter then recruits a band of criminals to help him out: Cedric Page (Morley), master of all things mechanical; Giulio, “The Human Fly” (Ségal), a mute acrobat; and the burly Hans (Hahn), who will provide the muscle needed for the job. Elizabeth and Walter also hire small-time hustler Arthur Simon Simpson (Sir Ustinov) to act as their fall guy. Arthur has no idea what the pair is doing. When the Turkish secret police capture Simpson at the border, they convince him to spy on his partners. Simpson leaves cryptic notes for his police handlers, but most of his intelligence is worthless since Simpson has no clue what the plan is. When Hans’ hands are injured, Arthur is upgraded to take his place. Now with the information he needs, will he give up his criminal allies or help them steal the famed dagger?
If you have seen any of the Ocean’s films, then the story will be simple for you to understand. What is nice about this one is that the plan is very simple, to steal a famed dagger. Honestly, I like how the plot didn’t spend too much time planning every detail. Each character seems to know their role and must execute it flawlessly to get away. Now, do we see scenes on certain aspects of their plan? Of course. Cedrick shows that the floor is pressure sensitive in one scene, and a feather would make it go off. In another scene, we see Giulio do his high-flying act and what it takes to get out of it. It has a very Ocean’s feel to planning and changing plans.
One reason for the changing plans is when Arthur reveals himself as a spy. Rather than kill him, they decide to use him again. You would think that after having weapons planted in your car and making you a fall guy, you would see reason but nope, not with Arthur. One kiss, and the dude is back in the fold, ready to commit crimes. This gives the team a chance to change their plans even with Arthur still giving up information to the police.
The actual theft is really entertaining. Nothing flashy or over the top. It also has some comedic elements to it. First, they decide to set their plan in motion during a fair. Some of the acts are truly something to see. Watching Walter, Arthur and Giulio run across the top of the palace is funny because Arthur seems to have a major fear of heights and almost passes out a few times. When Giulio breaks into the actual palace, homeboy goes on his Mission Impossible grind, hovering above the ground and trying to steal something. Maybe this is where Tom Cruise got the idea from. After it is all said and done, you think the crew gets away only for them to be caught. Luckily, they escape and have their eyes on a bigger prize.
This movie couldn’t have been done so well without the cast. Melina Mercouri, as Elizabeth Lipp, was the prime sexual beauty. She was a nympho who got excited at all the wrong and right times. When the wrestling match was going on, she was definitely excited. Mercouri was great in this role. I felt that her accent was a tad bit hard to understand. Maximilian Schell, as Walter Harper, was the brains behind the operations. He is passionate about Elizabeth and charming other times. I recently watched him in Judgment at Nuremberg, which was a calmer version of him.
Peter Ustinov as Arthur Simon Simpson was the star of this film and seemed to be the main focus. As Arthur, Ustinov made him a bumbling fool who seemed way out of place. When he pulled the couch to him, he showed how Arthur gained a little confidence. Ustinov was definitely the highlight of this film.
When you are in the mood to watch some outstanding heist films, make sure you throw in Topkapi. Topkapi is an entertaining film with a group of characters that will make you laugh. The cast is outstanding, with each member having their own personality and moments. The question is will the group steal a dagger from a highly guarded palace, or will they all be arrested?
