Watch The Great St. Louis Bank Robbery

The Great St. Louis Bank Robbery is a classic crime drama film from 1959, directed by Charles Guggenheim and John Stix, starring Steve McQueen, Crahan Denton, and David Clarke. The movie is based on a real-life bank robbery that occurred in St. Louis, Missouri in 1953, and it features a unique blend of documentary-style footage and fictionalized storytelling.

The movie begins with a brief introduction to the main character George Fowler (played by McQueen), a small-time crook who wants to pull off a big heist. He teams up with a group of criminals led by Gino (played by Denton), who have carefully planned a robbery of the Southwest Bank in St. Louis. The group spends weeks casing the bank, observing the patterns of the security guards, and planning the perfect escape routes.

The movie then shifts its focus to the preparations for the heist, which are depicted in great detail. The criminals use a variety of tricks and strategies to ensure their success, including disguises, elaborate tools, and precise timing. The tension builds as they approach the day of the robbery, and the scenes inside the bank are particularly well-done, with the criminals trying to stay calm and avoid suspicion while they carry out their plan.

Once the robbery is underway, the movie takes on a fast-paced, almost frantic pace, as the criminals try to overcome various obstacles and resistances. The security guards put up a fierce defense, and the robbery quickly turns into a violent and chaotic scene. The criminals are forced to improvise and adapt on the fly, and they are constantly on the brink of getting caught.

Despite the many setbacks and close calls, the robbers ultimately manage to escape with the loot. However, they soon realize that their escape plan is not as fool-proof as they thought, and they are pursued by the police at every turn. The movie switches back and forth between the perspectives of the criminals and the police, creating a sense of tension and drama that keeps the audience engaged.

Throughout the movie, Steve McQueen delivers a standout performance as George Fowler. He portrays his character as a suave and charismatic rogue, who is always one step ahead of his opponents. His natural screen presence and trademark coolness help to anchor the film and make it all the more enjoyable to watch.

The film's use of location shooting and authentic details also add to its overall success. The movie was filmed on location in St. Louis, and many of the scenes were shot at the actual Southwest Bank where the robbery took place. This gives the film a gritty and realistic feel, and makes it all the more compelling to watch.

In conclusion, The Great St. Louis Bank Robbery is a well-crafted crime drama that stands the test of time. Its combination of documentary-style footage and fictionalized storytelling creates a unique atmosphere that keeps the audience engaged from start to finish. Steve McQueen's standout performance and the film's use of authentic details make it a must-see for fans of classic crime movies.

The Great St. Louis Bank Robbery is a 1959 crime movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 29 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 5.9.