How to Steal a Million (1966)

How to Steal a Million is the kind of sophisticated caper that feels like champagne bubbles in movie form: light on its feet, impeccably dressed, and smarter than it needs to be. William Wyler turns a deliciously implausible premise into effortless fun, letting Paris glow, the dialogue sparkle, and the museum-set suspense play like a romantic dance where every step matters. Audrey Hepburn is all grace and quick-thinking nerves, Peter O’Toole matches her with sly charm, and their chemistry makes the whole heist feel less like a crime and more like a flirtation with consequences. If you’re looking for gritty realism, this isn’t it—but if you want a witty, warm, beautifully crafted escapade that leaves you smiling, it’s a small classic worth stealing an evening for.

How to Steal a Million is trying to be a glossy, flirtatious Paris caper where charm and style do most of the heavy lifting, and on that front Audrey Hepburn and Peter O’Toole are undeniably watchable. The catch is that it takes its sweet time getting to the actual heist, and the first stretch can feel more “posing in expensive scenery” than genuinely funny or suspenseful. The plot is also cheerfully preposterous, so if you need your crime stories to make much sense—or you’re hoping Eli Wallach and Charles Boyer get meaty material—you may end up bored and slightly underfed. If you’re in the mood for a light, old-school romp with romance, couture, and low stakes, it’s a pleasant time capsule; if you want sharp comedy or tight pacing, this isn’t the one.