Watch The Million Dollar Rip-Off

The Million Dollar Rip-Off is a 1976 crime thriller film directed by Alexander Grasshoff and starring Freddie Prinze, Allen Garfield, and Christine Belford. The film tells the story of Harry Messenger (Prinze), a young man who gets involved in a heist to steal a million dollars from a Mafia boss. The film begins with Harry, a struggling musician, facing eviction from his apartment. He receives an offer from his friend Rico (Garfield) to participate in a heist to steal a million dollars from a Mafia boss named Joe Fiorello (Ralph Meeker). Rico has inside information about where the money is kept and how to get it, and he believes that it is the perfect opportunity for them to make some quick money.

Harry is hesitant at first, but he eventually agrees to participate in the heist. He and Rico recruit two other men, Tony (Milton Berle) and Eddie (Phil Silvers), to help them carry out the robbery. The plan is to break into Fiorello's safe and steal the money while he is away on business.

As the group prepares for the heist, tensions start to rise. Tony, a former vaudeville performer, is nervous and constantly talking, which annoys the others. Eddie, a former burglar, is confident in his abilities but is worried about the risk involved. Harry is the only one who seems calm and collected, but he is hiding a secret.

The night of the heist arrives, and the group successfully breaks into Fiorello's safe and steals the money. However, things quickly go wrong when Fiorello's son (Robert Vaughn) shows up unexpectedly and catches them in the act. A shootout ensues, and the group narrowly escapes with the money.

Now on the run from both the Mafia and the police, the group struggles to stay together and figure out what to do with the money. Harry, in particular, starts to feel guilty about what they have done and wants to give the money back. Rico, on the other hand, is determined to keep the money and live a life of luxury.

As the tensions between the group escalate, they are forced to rely on each other to stay alive. They are constantly on the move, trying to avoid getting caught by the Mafia or the police. Along the way, they encounter a young woman named Dorianne (Belford), who becomes involved in their plight.

The Million Dollar Rip-Off is a thrilling crime caper that keeps the audience on the edge of their seats. The talented cast delivers strong performances, especially Freddie Prinze, who gives a nuanced and complex portrayal of a man caught up in a dangerous situation. The film also features an impressive score by composer Billy Goldenberg, which adds to the tension and suspense.

Overall, The Million Dollar Rip-Off is an entertaining and well-crafted film that is sure to please fans of the crime genre. It is a testament to the talent of Freddie Prinze, who tragically died shortly after the film was released. His performance in this film is a reminder of the promising career that was cut short far too soon.

The Million Dollar Rip-Off is a 1976 crime movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 13 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.2.