Wizard-8 It won't take long into watching "Once a Thief" for viewers to say to themselves, "I've seen this all before." Who hasn't seen this same basic story about a struggling ex-criminal pushed by circumstances to rejoin his old gang and pull off one last job? It's been done many times in movies and television shows since this movie was made. In fact, I am confident it had been done many times before this movie was made. You'll be able to predict every major plot turn long before it happens.So the question comes up as to whether the movie manages to bring in some fresh elements. Well, there is the fact that the ex-criminal, played by Alain Delon, is not totally sympathetic. That's different, though he does enough negative stuff that at times you'll wonder why the movie thinks we should be interested in him. The most interesting thing about the movie, however, is the direction by Ralph Nelson. Though the movie is set in San Francisco, the movie has a strong European style and feel throughout. Possibly this was due to the influence of the French producers in this American/French co-production. This different style does give the movie some interest... but ultimately, not enough to earn it a recommendation.

MartinHafer The casting for this film was pretty weird. French actor Alain Delon plays an Italian and Jack Palance(!) plays his brother! The two look and sound nothing like brothers and I suppose they chose Delon since apparently Sidney Poitier was not available!! Delon is an ex-con who is married to lovely but often hysterical Ann-Margaret. They have a young daughter but are struggling economically--partly because it's hard for a hot-headed idiot like Delon to keep a job. In fact, there are just way too many scenes where he barks and gesticulates and broods so much you'd swear he's off his meds. Because he acts like a moody jerk through much of the film it's hardly possible to care about him--and this is a major problem with the film. Most caper films, to a degree, you like the crooks and even want to see them get away with the crime---such as in good caper films like "Rififi" or "Bob le Flambeur". With this film, however, you just want it to end. There's more to the plot and there's a parole officer played by Van Heflin, but frankly...who cares?! In addition to Delon's acting, while Ann-Margaret is also a decent actress, you might not think so seeing this film. In particular, pay attention to her at about the 53 and 86 minute marks as she goes off on a bizarre tirade that just seems way overdone. Where was the director? Did they actually WANT this sort of terrible performance?! And, for that matter, who wrote this dialog?! After all, even a film novice might find that scene extremely silly.So what did I like about this film? Well, not much, since I'd seen so many better and less shrill caper films. However, the blond psycho in the gang was a pretty cool character and Palance wasn't bad at all--and was good as a heavy throughout the 50s and 60s. These, however, are not enough to make the movie worth seeing.

noodlejet Any semi-serious movie buff or even casual viewer should be able to see that this film practically screams "Coen Brothers," 30 years before their time. The creepy blond character in "Fargo" is a dead ringer for the creepy blond bad guy in "Once a Thief," right down to the hairstyle. And the general ambiance of many scenes, as well as the ironic plot twists near the end, indicate that this movie was a big influence on the Coen bros, and to some extent, "where they went to school." It should also be noted that though this is film noir, it's also "hip" film noir, a rare breed that includes Larry Moyer's "The Moving Finger" and precious few others of the time. In fact, both these movies were too hip for their time.

azignon I am living in France now and have seen repeats of this film on TV. Alain Delon and Van Heflin keep getting better and better each time I see the film. Ann Margaret is soooooo bad and gets worse and worse. The little girl is obnoxious. It is all predictable but Delon and Heflin make it worthwhile. I wish I had seen the film in the sixties. It would have been interesting comparing my reactions to the film in different time periods.