THE ASPHALT JUNGLE from MGM studios (1950). I just reviewed the current British heist movie called, "Fuze." (It was pretty awful).
I'd like to talk about one of the finest Heist films ever made. It's called, "The Asphalt Jungle" from 1950. I rank it at number #13 on my list of favorite Film Noirs. (A movie shot in black & white). This is very influential for other heist movies that followed it.
The story is simple. An elder crook gets out of prison. He wants to make one last robbery of beautiful "diamonds." He hires a few desperate criminals who live outside the law. It's just above the asphalt from which they walk. The police know these criminals and watch them closely. The heist goes as planned. The problem is that each criminal makes mistakes as they re-enter regular society. They can't cope as normal people.
Director John Huston co-wrote the screenplay and also directed this movie. The story is based on a book and is set in an unknown city. It was actually filmed in Cincinnati, Ohio.
There are so many good things to talk about with this film. For me, it is the opening shot of those layered bricks which rise toward the street. We see the city and then the police car. They seem to be searching for criminals in the asphalt jungle.
We also see that each criminal breathes crime. They have dreams of better lives even when their crimes keep dragging them down. We pull for these characters as the heist becomes a success. (I could go on with my analogies).
Marilyn Monroe would become a huge movie star in the 1950's. She has a small but important role in this film. The ultimate blonde bombshell.
Check this out if you want to see a great Heist movie. The Criterion Collection is the best way to see this.
Below is the original movie trailer from 1950.
