SimonJack "The Brink's Job" is a comedy caper film based on a real crime. The January 17, 1950, Brink's robbery in Boston was called the "Crime of the Century." This movie is a light treatment of the event, and the characters who pulled it off. The movie implies that none of those involved in the incident "squealed," and it omits anything to do with killing. In reality, the gang tried to kill Specs O'Keefe who was imprisoned for anther petty robbery after this one. O'Keefe was mentally unstable and the gang thought he might talk. But after their attempts to kill him failed, he apparently talked to the FBI and named all involved. While the movie just shows seven people involved in the heist, there actually were 11. Except for three who died, all who were convicted and sent to prison were out within 14 years – by 1971. The $2.7 million heist included $1.2 million in cash, and the rest in bonds and checks. Just $53,000 was ever recovered to this day. The acting is good by the entire cast in this film. It was shot in Boston. The robbery was two years in the works – with careful casing of the Brink's place. Considering the first 40 years of the 20th century with so many bank robberies, the very low level of actual security measures by Brink's in 1950 is astonishing. But, as Peter Falk's Tony Pino says in the movie, the Brink's people were so cheap they didn't want to spend money on real security. Instead, they lied in their advertisements about the great security they provided. The movie notes how the gang members were idolized by some youth of the day. This romantic and light-hearted treatment of crime is fun, but I wonder about it when it involves real crime.

moonspinner55 William Friedkin directed this period piece caper-comedy, adapted from Noel Behn's non-fiction book "Big Stick-Up at Brinks", chronicling real-life 1950 robbery of Brink's headquarters which netted the crooks some three million dollars. Often-filmed heist gets a joshing tone this time out, cast with actors comfortable with each other and familiar to audiences in these particular characterizations. There are no surprises; everything has been preconceived for a safe, nondescript entertainment. For his part, Freidkin displays a light, casual touch, but the broader moments of comedy don't really come off--slapstick doesn't seem to be Friedkin's thing. Peter Falk heads up the amateur squad of thieves; he's right at home here, and his repartee with Peter Boyle, Allen Garfield and Paul Sorvino (and with Gena Rowlands as his wife) is smooth. In fact, the whole film is smooth...so smooth it slides right out of the memory. ** from ****

willab I've been trying to pick up a VHS of this flick for 2 years and finally won it on an auction. It was on AMC a few years back and I caught about 30 minutes of it. I was so intrigued that I started to look for a chance to buy it.I thoroughly enjoyed this film, a great cast with a young Peter Falk leading the way. Peter Boyle was realistic in his portrayal of the money launderer. Used VHS tapes are out there and although this robbery occurred in the 50's there is enough suspense and a ton of surprises for you. Sometimes a true story beats the best fiction a writer can come up with.

EW-3 A neat little crime caper, and I wonder why we never see it on any of the cable networks. Falk was great, as were Peter Boyle and Warren Oates, and believe or not, Paul Sorvinio was in this one too! Realistic, and pretty honest.