Watch The Anderson Tapes

The Anderson Tapes is a crime thriller film released in 1971, directed by Sidney Lumet and based on Lawrence Sanders' novel of the same name. The movie stars Sean Connery, Dyan Cannon, Martin Balsam, and Christopher Walken. Sean Connery plays the role of John "Duke" Anderson, a recently released convict who has spent ten years in prison for a non-violent crime. He plans an elaborate robbery of an entire apartment building on New York City's Upper East Side. With the help of a group of accomplices, including a safecracker, electronics expert, and a reticent girlfriend, he intends to steal millions of dollars' worth of jewels and cash from the affluent tenants of the building.

The movie takes place over a span of several days and is told through a variety of camera angles, including hidden surveillance footage and wiretaps. Anderson's meticulously planned heist is complicated by a series of interconnected subplots involving both the police and criminal elements. The surveillance picked up by the cops shows that Anderson's scheme will not be as straightforward as he'd hoped. Detectives, who have been waiting years to catch Anderson in the act, are already on his tail, and they have planted a listening device in his girlfriend's apartment.

Adding to the complexity of the heist, Anderson's career-criminal cohorts each have ulterior motives to participate. The safecrackers are not just after the money, but also an opportunity to have a grand exit. One of the criminals is a sadistic drug dealer, and another has a side job as a jazz musician. The wide range of character motives adds complexity and intrigue to the story.

The Anderson Tapes is unique for its use of technology and the innovative ways in which the movie portrays communication. Characters can speak to one another by dialling each other's phone numbers, leaving coded messages on the answering machines, or even writing out their dialogue in Morse code. The film was made almost 50 years ago, yet its use of technology feels revolutionary even by today's standards.

The movie is also notable for its exceptional cast. Sean Connery delivers an excellent performance as the charmingly roguish master thief while Dyan Cannon, playing the role of Anderson's girlfriend, conveys depth despite minimal dialogue. Martin Balsam appears as the quirky spymaster hired to monitor Duke's execution of the burglary plan.

Throughout the film, the tension builds to a gripping finale, showcasing Connery's continued mastery of his craft. Anderson's plan isn't foolproof, of course - this planned heist is just too big to pull off without a hitch. And one can't help but ask themselves, what will happen when Anderson's carefully crafted web of lies unravels?

All in all, The Anderson Tapes is an entertaining thriller and an exceptional addition to the era's crime genre offerings. The film combines an excellent cast, a combination of action and suspenseful storytelling, cutting-edge surveillance technology, and an intelligent script to create an impressive cinematic experience. The movie presents a fascinating portrait of a world of criminality and a well-executed heist that leaves the audience wondering which way the story will go.

The Anderson Tapes is a 1971 crime movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 35 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.4 and a MetaScore of 61.