Topkapi (film)
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| Topkapi | |
|---|---|
 Original film poster |
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| Directed by | Jules Dassin |
| Produced by | Jules Dassin |
| Written by | Eric Ambler (novel The Light of the Day) Monja Danischewsky |
| Starring | Melina Mercouri Peter Ustinov Maximilian Schell Robert Morley |
| Music by | Manos Hadjidakis |
| Cinematography | Henri Alekan |
| Editing by | Roger Dwyre |
| Distributed by | United Artists |
| Running time | 119 min |
| Language | English |
| IMDb profile | |
Topkapi is a 1964 heist film made by Filmways Pictures and distributed by United Artists. It was produced and directed by American Jules Dassin. The film is based on Eric Ambler's novel The Light of Day (1962), adapted as a screenplay by Monja Danischewsky. The music score was by Manos Hadjidakis, the cinematography by Henri Alekan and the costume design by Theoni V. Aldredge.
The film stars Melina Mercouri (Dassin's wife), Maximilian Schell, Peter Ustinov, Robert Morley, Akim Tamiroff and Gilles Ségal.
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[edit] Production notes
It should be noted that Ambler's novel is different from the movie on several counts. For example, in the book there are frequent flashbacks in which Simpson's school days back in England are described, which explains his character and motives more clearly than in the film.
Although he played one of the leading parts, Ustinov won the 1964 Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his portrayal of Arthur Simpson. In an interview given on Ustinov's death in 2004, Schell surmised that this may have been due to the misconception that playing a servant could only be done in a supporting role.
The film was shot in Paris at the Studios Boulogne-Billancourt, and on location in Istanbul, Turkey.
[edit] Plot summary
Arthur Simon Simpson (Ustinov) is a lazy middle-aged small-time crook biding his time in Kavala, Greece. He works as a tout, accosting tourists at the airport, selling them cheap souvenirs, offering his services as a driver and, given the chance, stealing their valuables. One of his potential victims, however, turns out to be a gentleman crook (Schell) planning to steal a bejewelled dagger from Istanbul's Topkapi Museum. He introduces himself to Simpson as Walter Harper and his attractive companion (Mercouri) as Elizabeth Lipp and hires him to drive his American limousine from Athens to Istanbul -- alone.
At the Turkish border Simpson is arrested when firearms are found hidden in the car. The Turkish Secret Police suspect the "tourists" to be revolutionaries planning a coup d'etat (see also History of Turkey) and release Simpson only on condition that he become one of their agents. From then on, Simpson has to spy on Harper, Lipp and the people they meet in Istanbul. Eventually Simpson is hired by Harper, too -- not just as their driver but also as a member of the gang. While all this is happening, Simpson, who is a coward longing for his peaceful life back in Kavala, has no idea what exactly they are planning. When the big day finally comes, Simpson, who is afraid of heights, almost has to back out because his job involves climbing the roof of the museum.
[edit] See also
- How to Steal a Million (William Wyler; US, 1966) starring Audrey Hepburn and Peter O'Toole is a film with a similar subject-matter.
[edit] Remake
A remake entitled The Topkapi Affair starring Pierce Brosnan has been announced and is scheduled for release in 2007. The Topkapi Affair will be a sequel to the 1999 remake, The Thomas Crown Affair.
