Part of Weekend Classics: Robert Redford
John Archibald Dortmunder (Robert Redford) a notorious fresh-out-of-jail cat burglar, is approached by Dr. Amusa (Moses Gunn) with a scheme to steal a gem in a museum that was itself stolen from his African country during colonial times — and he wants the gem returned to its rightful place. Dortmunder quickly assembles a team of the best, most experienced cat burglars he knows. An elaborate plan is hatched — but the perfect heist threatens to run off the rails.
“[A] laid-back caper movie, adapted by William Goldman from a Donald Westlake novel and directed with the lightest of touches by the perennially underrated Peter Yates. There's lovely footage of early 1970s New York and Quincy Jones provides the ultra-cool soundtrack.” —Telegraph
“Yates paces the fast-moving thrills with precision.” —Guardian (UK)