Watch King of Thieves
- R
- 2019
- 1 hr 48 min
-
5.5 (16,642)
King of Thieves is a 2018 British crime drama film directed by James Marsh and starring Michael Caine, Francesca Annis, and Olivia Le Andersen. The film is based on the true story of the Hatton Garden heist, in which a group of elderly men carried out a daring burglary of a safe deposit facility in Central London's Hatton Garden area to steal millions of pounds worth of jewels, gold and cash.
The film takes us on a nostalgic journey through the lives of the aging, veteran criminals who participate in the heist. Led by the charming and charismatic Brian Reader (played by Michael Caine), the group of retired criminals include Terry Perkins (Jim Broadbent), Kenny Collins (Tom Courtenay), Carl Wood (Paul Whitehouse) and Danny Jones (Ray Winstone). Unhappy with the mundane life of retirement and in need of one last big score to set them up for life, they decide to come together to execute a heist that would take all their skills and cunning to pull off.
The film masterfully captures the essence of these characters as they plan and execute the heist. Their complex relationships, witty banter, and moments of reflection are portrayed with sincerity, as they grapple with their old age and the sense of loss that comes with it. As the heist unfolds, tensions mount, and the code of criminal silence is put to the test, as the cracks in their once-tight relationships start to show.
Francesca Annis gives a standout performance as Lynne, the wife of Brian Reader, who struggles with her husband's decision to take on one last score. Her character brings to light the human side of these criminals, and the ripple effects their actions have on their loved ones. Olivia Le Andersen also shines in her role as the ambitious and tech-savvy Basil who helps the team with the logistics of the heist.
The cinematography and set design of the film are particularly noteworthy, capturing the gloom and grittiness of London's East End. The film also features some exhilarating sequences of the heist as the team makes their way through the maze-like vault and strike it rich.
Overall, King of Thieves is a thrilling and emotionally engaging film that tells the story of the real-life heist that shook the UK. It masterfully blends humor, tension, and heart into a captivating film that will keep audiences entertained and engaged from start to finish. If you're a fan of crime dramas or heist films, this is one that shouldn't be missed.
King of Thieves is a 2019 crime movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 48 minutes. It has received mostly poor reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 5.5 and a MetaScore of 48.