I have a serious criticism of this film, in that it plays with too much of a comic edge. The Brinks job was a serious crime and the movie plays it largely in Keystone Kops mode. Having read a bit about the crime, I can say there are some liberties taken with the facts.
Having said that, every historical film takes liberties, and this movie is just a delight to watch. It also stays largely true to the characters of the thieves involved. The script is simply wonderful and William Friedkin does his usual brilliant job directing. The flow of the action never lets up and the acting is great - Peter Falk, Gena Rowlands, Peter Boyle, Paul Sorvino and Warren Oates are all wonderful. Also great are the lesser known actors, especially Kevin O'Conner as Gusciora and Gerard Murphy as Richardson.
An added delight - especially for me as a Boston boy - is the on-the-scene of the Boston locales, many of them now gone, like Dudley St. Station. This is just a wonderfully enjoyable movie.
Having said that, every historical film takes liberties, and this movie is just a delight to watch. It also stays largely true to the characters of the thieves involved. The script is simply wonderful and William Friedkin does his usual brilliant job directing. The flow of the action never lets up and the acting is great - Peter Falk, Gena Rowlands, Peter Boyle, Paul Sorvino and Warren Oates are all wonderful. Also great are the lesser known actors, especially Kevin O'Conner as Gusciora and Gerard Murphy as Richardson.
An added delight - especially for me as a Boston boy - is the on-the-scene of the Boston locales, many of them now gone, like Dudley St. Station. This is just a wonderfully enjoyable movie.