The Thomas Crown Affair

The Thomas Crown Affair
Name	The Thomas Crown Affair
Director	Norman Jewison
Producer	Norman Jewison
Writer	Alan Trustman
Starring	Steve McQueen, Faye Dunaway
Music	Michel Legrand
Cinematography	Haskell Wexler
Editing	Hal Ashby, Byron Brandt, Ralph E. Winters
Studio	Solar Productions, Mirisch Corporation
Distributor	United Artists
Released	1968
Runtime	102 minutes
Country	United States
Language	English

The Thomas Crown Affair is a 1968 American heist film directed by Norman Jewison and starring Steve McQueen and Faye Dunaway. The plot follows a wealthy Boston businessman who orchestrates a complex bank robbery for sport, leading to a sophisticated game of cat-and-mouse with a tenacious insurance investigator. Renowned for its stylish direction, innovative split-screen sequences, and the Oscar-winning song "The Windmills of Your Mind", the film is considered a landmark of late-1960s cinema.

Plot

Bored millionaire and venture capitalist Thomas Crown masterminds a meticulously planned robbery of a Boston bank, utilizing a team of five specialists to steal over $2.6 million. The investigation is taken up by Vicki Anderson, a brilliant and glamorous investigator for the Lloyd's of London insurance company. Anderson quickly deduces Crown's involvement and engages him in a high-stakes psychological duel, using seduction as her primary weapon. Their relationship evolves into a passionate romance, complicating her mission as the Boston Police Department closes in, culminating in a tense final confrontation where Crown presents Anderson with a life-altering choice.

Cast

The film features Steve McQueen in the title role, portraying the charismatic and enigmatic Thomas Crown. Faye Dunaway plays the determined investigator Vicki Anderson. Key supporting roles include Paul Burke as Detective Eddy Malone, Jack Weston as Erwin Weaver, an electronics expert, and Biff McGuire as Sandy, Crown's attorney. The bank robbery crew is composed of Yaphet Kotto, John Le Mesurier, Gordon Pinsent, and Carol Vogel. Addison Powell appears as Abe, while Astrid Heeren has a notable role as Gwen, a woman at Crown's polo match.

Production

The screenplay was written by first-time screenwriter Alan Trustman, a former Boston lawyer. Director Norman Jewison sought to create a visually audacious film, collaborating with cinematographer Haskell Wexler and editor Hal Ashby to pioneer the extensive use of split-screen techniques, a method inspired by the visual style of Andy Warhol and multiple-image television broadcasts. Filming took place on location in Boston, including the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston, and at the 20th Century Fox studios. The iconic chess scene was shot at the St. Regis New York hotel. The score was composed by Michel Legrand, with lyrics by Alan and Marilyn Bergman.

Release

The film was released by United Artists in June 1968. Its marketing capitalized on the star power of Steve McQueen and Faye Dunaway, as well as its modern, stylish aesthetic. The film was later re-released in various markets and became a staple on television broadcasts and home video formats, including VHS, Laserdisc, and DVD. Its distribution history is managed by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, which acquired the United Artists library.

Reception

Initial critical reception was mixed, with some praise for its style and performances but criticism for its perceived coldness. However, the film was a commercial success. It earned three Academy Award nominations, winning for Best Original Song for "The Windmills of Your Mind". Over time, its reputation has grown significantly; it is now celebrated for its fashion, direction, and the chemistry between its leads. Film scholars often cite it as a prime example of the polished, modernist New Hollywood cinema that emerged in the late 1960s, influencing subsequent films in the heist and romantic thriller genres.

Remake and legacy

The film was remade in 1999 by John McTiernan, starring Pierce Brosnan as Crown and Rene Russo as the investigator, Catherine Banning. This version updated the setting to New York City and changed the central heist to focus on art theft from the Metropolitan Museum of Art. The original 1968 film's legacy endures through its iconic imagery, such as the chess match and the dune buggy scene, and its influential score. It cemented Steve McQueen's status as a style icon and remains a touchstone for directors exploring themes of wealth, boredom, and sophisticated criminality.

Category:1960s heist films Category:American films Category:United Artists films