Watch Topkapi

Topkapi is a classic thriller from 1964, directed by Jules Dassin and starring Melina Mercouri, Peter Ustinov, and Maximilian Schell. The film is set in Istanbul, Turkey, and follows the story of a group of thieves who plan to steal a valuable jeweled dagger from the Topkapi Palace Museum. At the heart of the film is Elizabeth Lipp (Melina Mercouri), a high-end thief who is approached by the suave criminal Walter Harper (Maximilian Schell) with a tempting offer. Harper has a plan to steal the famous dagger from Istanbul's Topkapi Palace, and he wants Lipp to help him do it.

Initially, Lipp is hesitant to join the group, but she is won over by Harper's charm and the thought of the riches that the heist could bring. The group also includes Cedric Page (Peter Ustinov), a bumbling British small-time crook recruited for his minor expertise in cutting glass.

Together, the team travels to Istanbul to plan and execute the robbery. The group spends a considerable amount of time scoping out the palace and studying its security systems so that they can sneak in undetected. However, things do not go according to plan, and the group is forced to improvise on the spot.

Topkapi is a thrilling heist movie that is full of suspense, plot twists, and great performances from its cast. Melina Mercouri brings a tough and sexy edge to her role as Lipp, while Maximilian Schell is suave and cunning as the mastermind behind the heist. Peter Ustinov steals the show as the hapless Englishman who provides comic relief throughout the film.

The film is notable for its stunning location shots of Istanbul, which capture the city's beauty and the chaos of its streets. A standout sequence takes place during the annual camel wrestling festival, where the team uses the crowds and chaos as a distraction to pull off a key part of the heist.

Topkapi is also notable for its use of long, uninterrupted takes during the heist sequence, which adds to the tension and sense of urgency as the group races to steal the dagger and escape the palace undetected.

Overall, Topkapi is a thrilling and entertaining heist movie that is well worth watching. It is a testament to the strength of its cast and its director's skill that it still holds up over fifty years after its initial release, and it remains a classic of the genre.

Topkapi is a 1964 comedy with a runtime of 1 hour and 59 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.9.