The Thomas Crown Affair (1968)

Director:

Norman Jewison

Writer:

Alan Trustman (written by)

Release Date:

19 June 1968 (USA)

Genre:

Crime | Drama | Thriller | Romance

Tagline:

He was young, handsome, a millionaire - and he'd just pulled off the perfect crime! She was young, beautiful, a super sleuth - sent to investigate it!

Plot:

A debonair, adventuresome bank executive believes he has pulled off the perfect multi-million dollar heist, only to match wits with a sexy insurance investigator who will do anything to get her man.

Plot Keywords:

Bank | Heist | Insurance Investigator | Police | Boston

Awards:

Won Oscar. Another 1 win & 5 nominations

Cast

Steve McQueen	...	Thomas Crown
Faye Dunaway	...	Vicki Anderson
Paul Burke	...	Lt. Eddy Malone
Jack Weston	...	Erwin
Biff McGuire	...	Sandy
Addison Powell	...	Abe
Astrid Heeren	...	Gwen
Gordon Pinsent	...	Jamie
Yaphet Kotto	...	Carl
Sidney Armus	...	Arnie
Richard Bull	...	Booth Guard
Peg Shirley	...	Honey
Patrick Horgan	...	Danny
Carol Corbett	...	Miss Sullivan
Tom Rosqui	...	Pvt. Detective
Michael Shillo	...	Swiss Banker
Nora Marlowe	...	Marcie
Sam Melville	...	Dave
Ted Gehring	...	Marvin
Paul Verdier	...	Elevator Operator
Judy Pace	...	Pretty Girl
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Leonard Caron	...	Jimmy Weaver (uncredited)
Harry Cooper	...	Ernie (uncredited)
Victor Creatore	...	Cash Room Guard (uncredited)
Allen Emerson	...	Don (uncredited)
Bruce Glover	...	Bank Manager (uncredited)
Nikita Knatz	...	Sketch Artist (uncredited)
Charles Lampkin	...	Elevator Operator (uncredited)
Todd Martin	...	Benjy (uncredited)
Ed T. McDonnell	...	Boston Police Officer at Roadblock (uncredited)
John Orchard	...	John - Crown's Butler (uncredited)
James Rawley	...	Elevator Operator (uncredited)
Patty Regan	...	Girl in Elevator (uncredited)
Paul Rhone	...	Cash Room Guard (uncredited)
Jon Shank	...	Curley (uncredited)
Johnny Silver	...	Bert (uncredited)

Directed by
Norman Jewison

Writing credits
Alan Trustman		(written by) (as Alan R. Trustman)

Produced by
Hal Ashby	....	associate producer
Norman Jewison	....	producer

Original Music by
Michel Legrand

Cinematography by
Haskell Wexler

Film Editing by
Hal Ashby
Byron 'Buzz' Brandt		(as Byron Brandt)
Ralph E. Winters

Casting by
Lynn Stalmaster

Art Direction by
Robert F. Boyle		(as Robert Boyle)

Set Decoration by
Edward G. Boyle		(as Edward Boyle)

Makeup Department
Del Armstrong	....	makeup artist
Jay Sebring	....	hair designer: Steve MQueen (uncredited)

Production Management
Jim Henderling	....	production manager (as James E. Henderling)
Howard Joslin	....	unit manager (as J. Howard Joslin)
Allen K. Wood	....	production supervisor

Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
Walter Hill	....	second assistant director
Jack N. Reddish	....	first assistant director

Art Department
Anthony Bavero	....	property
Nikita Knatz	....	sketch artist
Pablo Ferro	....	graphic artist: final cut (uncredited)
Pablo Ferro	....	graphic designer: final cut (uncredited)

Sound Department
Walter Goss	....	sound
Clem Portman	....	sound recordist
James Richard	....	sound editor (as Jim Richard)
Richard Portman	....	foley mixer (uncredited)

Stunts
Roy Jenson	....	stunts (uncredited)
John Moio	....	stunts (uncredited)

Camera and Electrical Department
Ralph Gerling	....	camera operator
Morris Rosen	....	key grip
Gaylin P. Schultz	....	key grip (as Gaylin Schultz)

Costume and Wardrobe Department
Alan Levine	....	wardrobe
Ron Postal	....	wardrobe consultant: Mr. McQueen
Theadora Van Runkle	....	wardrobe designer: Miss Dunaway (as Thea Van Runkle)

Editorial Department
James D. Young	....	assistant editor (uncredited)

Music Department
Tom Downing	....	music editor
Michel Legrand	....	conductor

Other crew
Kenneth Jay Lane	....	jewelry designer: Miss Dunaway
Alfred Sheinwald	....	technical advisor
Marshall J. Wolins	....	script supervisor (as Marshall Wolins)
Gary Wooten	....	technical advisor
Pablo Ferro	....	title designer (uncredited)
Robert Alan Nelson	....	location scout (uncredited)

Production Companies

• Mirisch Corporation, The (presents)
• Simkoe
• Solar Productions

Distributors

• United Artists (1968) (USA) (theatrical) (released thru)
• National Broadcasting Company (NBC) (1972) (USA) (TV) (broadcast premiere)
• MGM/UA Home Entertainment (1993) (USA) (video) (laserdisc)
• MGM/UA Home Entertainment (1998) (USA) (video) (laserdisc)
• MGM/UA Home Entertainment (1998) (USA) (VHS) (pan/scan)
• MGM Home Entertainment (1999) (USA) (VHS)
• MGM Home Entertainment (Europe) (2000) (UK) (DVD)
• Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment (2002) (Netherlands) (DVD)
• Seven Films (2008) (Greece) (theatrical) (re-release)
• CBS/Fox Home Video (198?) (USA) (VHS)
• MGM Home Entertainment (1999) (USA) (DVD)
• MGM Home Entertainment (2005) (USA) (DVD) (new transfer)
• Warner Home Vídeo (Brazil) (VHS)

Other Companies

• Pablo Ferro Films  multiple screens (as Pablo Ferro, Films)
• International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE)  this picture made under the jurisdiction of (as I.A.T.S.E.)

Also Known As:

The Crown Caper
Thomas Crown and Company

Runtime:

102 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono (Westrex Recording System)

Certification:

West Germany:12 | USA:TV-PG | Iceland:L | South Korea:15 | USA:R (M.P.A.A. Cert. No. 21612) | Canada:PG (video rating) | Argentina:13 | Australia:PG | Canada:13+ (Quebec) | Canada:14 (Nova Scotia) | Finland:K-16 | Norway:16 | Singapore:PG | Sweden:11 | UK:PG | Canada:PG (Manitoba/Ontario)

Filming Locations:

85 Mt. Vernon Street, Beacon Hill, Boston, Massachusetts, USA

Company:

Mirisch Corporation, The

Trivia:

Legendary documentary filmmaker Frederick Wiseman reportedly wrote one version, or contributed to screenplay of this film, without any on-screen credit.

Goofs:

Continuity: During the infamous chess scene an overview of the board is shown as Vicki Anderson moves her bishop forward that shows that Crown has already castled, but it is not until later in the scene that he actually performs the move.

Quotes:

Thomas Crown: What a funny, dirty little mind!
Vicki Anderson: It's a funny, dirty little job! So shoot me in the leg!

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "Veronica Mars: Ain't No Magic Mountain High Enough (#2.13)" (2006)

Soundtrack:

The Windmills Of Your Mind

Tense, stylish, serious

This is a film about games: the defining image, a game of chess; and then, as well, the intellectual game that robbery provides for Crown (McQueen), and the two games, professional and sexual, in which Vicki and Crown stalk each other. For these players, games are very serious and the outcome of each uncertain.

The film is of its time, but works in ours, as well and better than the recent remake. Those looking for a fast action "heist" movie will be disappointed: this film is about alienation and attraction, trust and betrayal, about working out what matters - all those eternal themes. It will appeal to those content to focus on personal chemistry unpunctuated by regular gunfire. None the less, the planning and execution of the bank robbery is cleverly done and provides sufficient impetus to drive the rest of the straightforward plot. Crown's motivations, tedium and greed, are readily understandable; Vicki's are similar. As people they are similar and evenly matched. Vicki is stylish and beautiful and, using her sexuality as well as her intellect, she is Crown's equal or better - which is not true of the remake. In the end, it is she who defines the outcome, but what it will be and why Vicki makes the choice she does are left unresolved. So, too, we remain uncertain whether the possibility truly exists, that their alienation might be healed.

The focus is clearly on the couple. Eddy Malone's role as the police detective does not extend beyond that of a Greek chorus, providing the conventional and moral reference against which the actions of the principals are to be judged. Jack Weston's Erwin, a very worried getaway driver, simply contrasts the player of the game, Crown, with the instruments with which he plays it.

The performances of the entire cast are exemplary. McQueen's clipped manner builds the tension and intensifies the effect of his weakening to Vicki's seductive moves during the chess game. The role of Vicki is perfect for Dunaway, making no great demands on her to project herself, no extended dialogue, which she does not generally manage well; but the disposition of her body, her power of gesture, and her brief, pithy statements all work brilliantly. Jack Weston produces an excellent cameo performance that pretty well had me perspiring as much as he was. Malone plays a straight role straight, the way it should be.

The split screen title sequence and passages in the film work well; they do not distract, as this technique can, but are used to capture and compress moments of action that are significant but do not require extended treatment. The Legrand soundtrack is brilliantly effective, including the long passages of real tension, without music.

This really is a great classic, a film that will endure, and those who have difficulty with it should see it again and allow themselves the time to be seduced by its low key perfection.