How to Steal a Million

Movie review by Andrea Beach, Common Sense Media
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Common Sense says

age 11+

Lots of charm, little action in slow-paced heist comedy.

NR 1966 123 minutes
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A Lot or a Little?

The parents' guide to what's in this movie.

What Parents Need to Know

Parents need to know that How to Steal a Million is a '60s romantic caper that doesn't teach how to steal anything. There's little to offer in terms of positive messages or role models, but there's no real evil here, either. Characters frequently drink and smoke, so it's a good opportunity to talk to kids about how that behavior glamorizes alcohol and tobacco use, and how society's attitudes have changed since the mid-'60s. Sexual content is limited to a few kisses. Some works of art depict nude female figures. Someone accidently shoots a gun.

Community Reviews

Criticus
Criticus Adult
May 13, 2019
age 10+

How to Steal a Million Review

This lesser known classic is worth a watch, even if only for Audrey Hepburn and Peter O'Toole. The film is shot in lovely locales, and with plenty of talent, but fails to ever deliver on the scope one might hope for. Most of the goings-on happen to go on in a single space, which is a let-down if you are expecting anything more. More than anything, it seems the movie is an excuse to pair two classic stars in an uneventful but somewhat sensational romance. There are anywhere up to eleven kisses involved, and while I like a romance as much as the next person (when tasteful, non-explicit and virtuous…ha ha, rare? Yes…), I felt this was a little overboard. The film also features quite prominently a nude female statuette, as well as an assortment of varied art in the form of sculptures and paintings depicting nudity in degrees of anatomical exactness. If that sort of thing is likely to disturb you or your children, certainly preview it in case.

This title has:

Too much sex
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What's the Story?

Nicole's (Audrey Hepburn) father is an art forger. One of his sculptures on display is about to be inspected for authenticity. She decides she needs to steal the sculpture back and hide it away to keep her father from being exposed as a fake and save him from ruin. The only person she can call on for help is Simon (Peter O'Toole), the thief she caught trying to steal a painting from her home. But what's Simon really after?

Is It Any Good?

HOW TO STEAL A MILLION offers a lot of eye candy in the form of two gorgeous and talented stars it's almost impossible not to fall in love with. They bring an easy charm, and two of the most beautiful pairs of eyes in the history of cinema, to a lightweight, romantic, crime-caper comedy. And guided as they are by William Wyler, one of Hollywood's most-respected directors, expectations run high. But with little action, the wait is sometimes long for something to happen. The solid script provides some genuine laughs, but fails to bring real humanity to the characters and bogs down in extended sequences like walking around thinking or being stuck in a closet. Kids looking for an exciting caper are likely to be disappointed in this movie best saved for those with a real soft spot for old-school glamour.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about heist movies. Why do we enjoy them so much when they're about committing a crime?

  • How would the movie be different if it were made today? Would a heroine who can't think of or execute a plan to save her father seem realistic today? Do you think it seemed realistic in 1966?

  • Smoking in movies used to be a lot more common. Why have attitudes about smoking changed? What do we now know about the dangers of smoking?

Movie Details

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