This Is a Robbery: The World’s Biggest Art Heist

TV review by Melissa Camacho, Common Sense Media
This Is a Robbery: The World’s Biggest Art Heist Poster Image

Common Sense says

age 16+

True crime docu about unsolved theft has violence, language.

Netflix Reality TV 2021
Rate TV

Parents say

No reviews yet.

Add your rating

Kids say

age 12+

Based on 1 review

Common Sense is a nonprofit organization. Your purchase helps us remain independent and ad-free.
Rate tv

Did we miss something on diversity?

Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by suggesting a diversity update.

A Lot or a Little?

The parents' guide to what's in this TV show.

What Parents Need to Know

Parents need to know that This Is a Robbery: The World's Biggest Art Heist is a true crime documentary about the unsolved 1990 heist of Boston's Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum. Interviews and reenactments discuss violent acts, and occasionally archival footage features some disturbing images of people with bloody wounds and a man left bound and blindfolded. Reenactments also feature guns, cigarettes, and beer. There's some occasional cursing, too ("hell," "ass," "s--t" and "f--k"). Organized crime and drug trafficking is also discussed.

Community Reviews

There aren't any reviews yet. Be the first to review this title.

What's the Story?

THIS IS A ROBBERY: THE WORLD'S BIGGEST ART HEIST is a four-part true crime documentary about the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum art heist. In the early morning of March 18, 1990, two men dressed as police officers walked into Boston's Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum and stole 13 pieces of art which are still missing, and are now roughly valued at $500 million. Now, over three decades letter, the series revisits the timeline of events that led up to the robbery, and looks into the continuing F.B.I. investigation. Interviews with former museum curator Anne Hawley, along with reporters, former law enforcement agents, witnesses, and even colorful local art thief named Myles Connor, Jr., are featured. Throughout it all, details surrounding the case and the investigation, as well as multiple theories about who was behind it, are discussed.

Is It Any Good?

This interesting series offers some in-depth details surrounding the robbery of the eclectic Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, and about the investigation. It raises questions about what happened on March 18th, including whether or not it was an inside job. It reveals a few of the suspects who were ruled out at the time, including Rick Abath, one of the security guards on duty that night. It also highlights how the museum building -- thanks to its age and lack of upgrades at that time -- was a unique target.

It's a little slow at the beginning, and the overall series lacks the sensationalism associated with most true crime murder documentaries. But This Is a Robbery picks up as the narrative evolves, and alleged connections are made between stolen art and outfits like the Italian mafia and the Irish Republican Army. As these scenarios are discussed, it puts the heist in a bigger context, and underscores that the significance of the crime goes beyond money. If you like this sort of thing, chances are you'll find yourself fascinated by some of what is discussed here.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about art. What gives it its value? How do museums acquire art pieces from famous artists?

  • In This Is a Robbery: The World's Biggest Art Heist there's lots of speculation about who committed the crime and where the artwork is. Do you think the case will ever be solved? Why?

TV Details

Our Editors Recommend

Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.

See how we rate