Topkapi
Movie, 1964, The Classics, Set in 1964
Topkapi is #3 of 26 in release order and #4 of 26 in chronological order in the Heist Movies.
The story
Arthur Simon Simpson is a small-time crook biding his time in Greece. One of his potential victims turns out to be a gentleman thief planning to steal the emerald-encrusted dagger of the Mehmed II from Istanbul's Topkapi Museum.
Topkapi recap
Elizabeth Lipp, a jewel thief, wants the emerald-studded dagger of Sultan Mahmud I from the Topkapi Palace museum in Istanbul. She recruits her ex-lover Walter Harper, who puts together a team of amateurs without criminal records: an inventor, Cedric Page, a mute acrobat, Giulio, and a strongman, Hans. They hire Arthur Simpson, a small-time British hustler in Greece, to drive a car into Turkey. Turkish customs finds weapons hidden in it, and the police force Simpson to spy on the gang. When Hans hurts his hands, the clumsy Simpson has to take his place on the rooftop. During a wrestling festival, the team lowers Giulio by rope from the roof to swap the dagger for a copy without touching the floor, which is wired with alarms.
Topkapi ending explained
The heist works, but a bird flies through the open window and trips the alarm. The police arrest the gang, who learn Simpson's messages tied them to it. In prison, Elizabeth starts planning their next job, the Russian crown jewels in the Kremlin, and the final shot shows the freed gang walking through snow.
Post-credits scenes
No. There is no post-credits scene.
Where to watch Topkapi
Topkapi is streaming on YouTube (free) in the US. You can rent or buy it on Google Play, YouTube, and Fandango At Home.
Ratings
IMDb 6.9/10, Rotten Tomatoes 95%
Where it fits
- Release order: after Ocean's 11, before The Italian Job.
- Chronological order: after Ocean's 11, before The Italian Job.
Cast
- Melina Mercouri as Elizabeth Lipp
- Peter Ustinov as Arthur Simon Simpson
- Maximilian Schell as Walter Harper
- Robert Morley as Cedric Page
- Jess Hahn as Hans
- Gilles Ségal as Giulio
- Akim Tamiroff as Gerven the Cook
- Titos Vandis as Harback
- Ege Ernart as Major Ali Tufan
- Senih Orkan as First Shadow
- Danyal Topatan as Second Shadow
- Joe Dassin as Joseph
Directed by Jules Dassin.