Watch Once a Thief

Once a Thief is a 1965 crime drama film directed by Ralph Nelson and starring Alain Delon, Ann-Margret, and Van Heflin. The movie follows the story of Eddie Pedak (Delon), a former thief who has just finished serving a five-year prison sentence. Upon his release, Eddie plans to start a new life and put his criminal past behind him. However, things take a complicated turn when he learns of his father's death and becomes entangled in a complex web of deceit and betrayal.

The movie begins with Eddie leaving prison and returning to his hometown, where he discovers that his father has died in a mysterious car accident. The police believe it was an accident, but Eddie is convinced it was murder. He also learns that his father had a painting in his possession, which is believed to be worth a fortune. Eddie suspects that the painting is the reason for his father's death and sets out to investigate.

As Eddie delves deeper, he discovers that the painting is wanted by a group of gangsters, led by Mike Vido (Heflin), who are willing to go to extreme lengths to get it. Despite his intentions to stay out of trouble, Eddie is forced to collaborate with his old partner, Kristine (Ann-Margret), to steal the painting from a heavily guarded museum. As expected, the heist does not go according to plan, and Eddie finds himself in a dangerous game of cat and mouse with the gangsters.

The movie is a classic heist film, with an intricate plot, a host of interesting characters, and more than a few thrilling action scenes. While the story is perhaps a bit predictable, what makes it stand out is the superb acting and the nuanced character development. Alain Delon delivers a riveting performance as Eddie, a man torn between his criminal past and his desire for redemption. Ann-Margret, too, shines as the sassy and street-smart Kristine, providing a welcome dose of humor and sass to the movie.

Van Heflin also delivers a memorable performance as the ruthless Mike Vido, a hardened criminal who will stop at nothing to get what he wants. The dynamic between Vido and Eddie is one of the movie's highlights, as the two engage in a battle of wits and skill that keeps the audience on the edge of their seats.

The film's production design and cinematography are also top-notch, with the beautifully shot scenes adding to the overall mood and atmosphere. The movie is set in San Francisco, and the city provides the perfect backdrop for the action-packed story.

Overall, Once a Thief is a gripping crime drama that delivers on all fronts. It's a classic heist movie with plenty of twists and turns, well-drawn characters, and thrilling action scenes. While it may not be as well-known as some of the other films in the genre, it's definitely worth a watch for fans of classic movies and crime dramas alike.

Once a Thief is a 1965 crime movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 47 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.5.