Ocean's Eleven (1960) User Reviews

Ultimate Rat Pack Outing

[BB-15 · 6/10 · 27 November 1999]

Ocean's 11 never tries to be brilliant and is only sometimes good. The thin plot is a set up for the "boys" to look sharp (and they sometimes do), sing songs (which they do well) and to show off 1960 Las Vegas (which by today's standards looks pretty shabby).

This is a second rate heist story with a few gangsters thrown in. But after all, we have Sinatra and company. You can see that the excellent film, The Rat Pack, was very right on. Sinatra is his arrogant self. Martin is relaxed, Lawford is suave and the singing by Sammy Davis Jr. is great.

Ocean's 11 is a snap shot of what was "cool" in the ultimate era of coolness. It's all here, the clubs, the Marilyn Monroe look a likes, the flashy clothes and lots of money. It's better than imitations such as Swingers since Ocean's 11 is the source. Of course it includes the legendary bad treatment of women and African Americans. The actresses are either add-ons or pathetic martyrs (Angie Dickinson). As for Sammy, he puts up with the garbage man part, a racial slur (all in good fun of course!) and the self centeredness of these guys. I just admire him because he had to do it, so he could perform.

Back to the "fun". The boys get to be clever, then there's a surprise ending and finally we see them shuffle hung over in front of a casino. Every few years I check out Ocean's 11 not just to watch this silly movie but also to see the rats (or brats?) and chuckle (and wince) at an amazing time in the USA, baby.

The Heist of All Time

[bkoganbing · 7/10 · 18 January 2006]

I remember back in the day when the commercials were out for Ocean's Eleven it was described as the heist of all time. It wasn't exactly that, but there is a spirit of camaraderie that is present through out the film.

Frank Sinatra had signed a picture deal with Warner Brothers and was beginning a long term commitment to the Sands in Las Vegas. What better way than to combine everything at once. A film on location in Las Vegas.

So Frank got his pallies together and they filmed Ocean's Eleven in between shows at the Sands. They also managed to get into another film, several of the principal players in Ocean's Eleven did guest shots in Pepe while at the Sands.

Ocean's Eleven has a lighthearted insouciance about it, a group of former Airborne Rangers get together in Las Vegas for a heist of the big casinos carried on with military precision. Why waste all that good airborne training now that they're civilians.

Sinatra doesn't sing in this, I can't imagine why he didn't give himself a song here, but Dean Martin and Sammy Davis, Jr. did sing two numbers suited to their talents.

Ocean's Eleven marked the first time that Richard Conte worked in a Sinatra film. He became a Sinatra retainer in his later years, appearing in several Sinatra films. They parted when Conte appeared in The Godfather against Frank's wishes.

After Ocean's Eleven came Sergeants Three with the main cast members appearing again. After that the Rat Pack broke up with these guys going their own way, though many of them did have joint projects together over the years. The quality of the films went down hill, except for Robin and the Seven Hoods. That was a musical and not something to be done in your spare time.

The remake of Ocean's Eleven that George Clooney, Brad Pitt, Matt Damon and several other name players of today did was a far more serious film. Good in its own way, but just not the same.

The Rat Pack in a pretty amusing heist romp movie

[ma-cortes · 7/10 · 12 October 2005]

The picture talks about the biggest robbery of all . Spyros Acebos (Akim Tamiroff) pulls off a scheme introducing the plans for a new business venture : simultaneously burgle five casinos in Las Vegas as Sahara , Flamingo , Golden Nugget , Riveira and Desert Inn . He agrees with Danny Ocean (Frank Sinatra) backed by a motley and eclectic gang to execute it , formed by 11 pals ( Dean Martin, Peter Lawford, Sammy Davis, Richard Conte , Norman Fell, Richard Benedict..). The crew back in action , now veterans , after fighting in Second World War at 82nd Airbone division as paratroopers . We wouldn't call it a special group just Danny Ocean and his buddies , the night they blew up all the light , shutting off the electricity in Las Vegas . Millions dollars are taken from the casinos . But the elaborated plan itself goes wrong . They encounter complications when an investigator (Cesar Romero) discovers the tracks . This adaptation achieves one of the greatest entertainments of the history of motion pictures . We never met a band like Ocean's eleven .

From the beginning until the end the comedy and giggles along with moderated action are continuous . Besides , it has got an intelligent script and an extraordinary final surprise . Significant portions of the movie interactions between major characters were ad-libbed . The actors playing the leading roles all knew each other well and improvised dialogue as well as or better than the script . For comic relief in charge of the various relationships among several characters and their numerous jokes . Splendid songs by Dean Martin and Sammy Davis Jr and sensitive ending song by Frank Sinatra . Appears uncredited Shirley McLayne in an agreeable comic performance , Red Skelton and George Raft as invited actors . Superb and stunning musical score by Nelson Riddle (author of Batman TV music). Enjoyable and glossy cinematography by William H. Daniels (Greta Garbo's usual photographer). Director Lewis Milestone's masterpiece of the amusement and entertainment . The movie was remade by a funny and stylish remake with George Clooney and director Steven Soderbergh and several sequels . Rating : Good and nice . Worthwhile watching.

fun snapshot of the Rat Pack

[didi-5 · 18 June 2004]

This version of 'Ocean's 11' hardly needed a plot, did it? Just an extended ad for the Rat Pack's Vegas shows and the enormous ego of Frank Sinatra, here strutting his stuff as Danny Ocean, leading his war chums in a plan to rob numerous casinos in one night.

So we get Sinatra, Dean Martin, Sammy Davis, Peter Lawford, and Joey Bishop (did they play characters in this? can anybody remember who?) and a fun romp to the pay off - still getting referenced in films being made today. George Clooney's remake was nowhere near as much fun. There's music in this movie, of course (with that cast you'd be disappointed if not), plus appearances from Angie Dickinson, Shirley MacLaine (uncredited but noticeable), Cesar Romero, and Errol Flynn's widow Patrice Wymore.

This really is a lightweight lark if you're in the mood. Is it a good film? Probably not. Is it good entertainment? Absolutely.

Not the best, But if your a devoted Rat Packer.........

[furs4u · 7/10 · 8 February 2006]

Not the best, But if your a devoted Rat Packer.........It's a fun time and great to see them all in the Vegas of past.. when Vegas WAS VEGAS!! It was still great to see the likes of Donald O'Connor and Red Skelton as the headliners and see the elegant lounges where thery would all perform,up close and personal not for 100-300 feet away. You could walk up to them after a performance and actually chat with them as they left the stage. Everyone was dressed in suits,tuxedos, and formal dresses, wearing furs and everyone smoking. If you remember the the days of no cell phones, using the operator to make long distance calls, no computers, walkmans, cassette and 8 tracks tapes, then this is one movie you should love.

Danny's Boys

[Lejink · 6/10 · 25 December 2021]

I'm happy to credit film historian and broadcaster Karina Longworth's most recent podcast series on the lives and careers of Dean Martin and Sammy Davis Jr. For pointing me at this and other Rat Pack-era movies starring some or all of the members of that particular clan.

This was the first feature to highlight in one film the three most prominent leaders of the Pack, so to speak, of Sinatra, Martin and Davis, as well as the more peripheral figures Peter Lawford, Joey Bishop and even Shirley MacLaine in a brief cameo. Unsurprisingly, considering the affinity most if not all of them had for the place, the action here centres on Las Vegas where Sinatra as Danny Ocean acts as the leader of his old ex-army company brought together by heist fixer and financier Akim Tamiroff to carry out, in one night, the major heist of five famous Vegas casinos, netting them all a cool million dollars in the process.

For many, the Rat Pack was that era's epitome of male cool but look closer today and like me, you might instead now see in the movie a bunch of middle-aged men mistreating their wives, patronising lower-level black employees and casually slapping the behind of a young woman who's just given a private massage to another of the Pack. The worst moment is when Davis himself is made the butt of a quite literally off-colour remark by his so-called buddies. Sure they all look smart in their natty suits and skinny ties as they man-bond and deliver a stream of acerbic one-liners but boorish behaviour, even by superstars, is still boorish behaviour and there's no way to condone such actions even when perpetrated with an accompanying song or smirk by Frankie and Dino.

Parking that, with some reservations, to one side, the film has a great premise, the simultaneous, meticulously-planned takedown of the casinos but unfortunately it takes an age to get going, with over an hour wasted for the sake of only the mildest of plot exposition or character development. Martin and Davis each get to sing a song or two along the way, although oddly enough not Sinatra, but I found myself just hurrying the movie along to the sting itself.

I loved the shots of old-time Vegas and the cool closing shot of the eleven walking out of picture as the famous real-life billboard of the Rat Pack comes into view behind them, but watching it, I felt the movie could have been sharper and snappier. I doubt it was an easy gig for veteran Lewis Milestone to keep his starry cast concentrating on their jobs and felt that sense of underlying indolence, which is counter to the precision required in the operation, worked against the movie's effectiveness.

I've heard somewhere that one definition of cool is to not seem as if you're trying but here it's taken too literally with the overall effect that the movie just lacked a spark to really jump-start it into life.

And ain't that a kick in the head...

Exception of the Rule

[kosmasp · 5/10 · 9 May 2007]

The exception of what rule? The Rule that says (at least as listed in most books) that the original (movie) is better than the remake. Well here comes this movie, to show you, that that isn't the case. A shame then, because the stellar cast (after all you get to see the Rat Pack at work here!) promises so much more, than you actually will get out of it!

Although it seems to be more the fault of the script than the cast, I can assure you that I did watch this movie before I watched the remake (which is crucial, to not be afflicted by the impact of the movie) and it just doesn't sustain the comparison with the remake! That's how I felt!

Good old fashioned well humoured heist flick

[discogoth · 8/10 · 9 December 2001]

I haven't seen the new remake of this movie yet, but they have some pretty big shoes to fill. Technically Ocean's Eleven may not be a great film, but whatever minor plot shortcomings that exist are made up for in spades by immeasurable style.

I'm not going to explain the plot, as I'm sure that 50 other people already have. It's been a while since I've watched an older movie, so I found the loose-yet-confident chemistry and acting of the brat pack members to be very refreshing. They seemed so natural around each other, which is no surprise considering that they were buddies in real life. Sammy Davis Jr. was his usual charismatic self (why didn't he take off with the money??), Dean Martin seemed to be playing himself, a bit tipsy and sweaty with a drink in one hand and a smoke in the other, as he does in most of his films, and Frank Sinatra was also good as the understated womanizing organizer. However, I thought that Cesar Romero (known for his manic portayal of the Joker in the 60's Batman tv series) really stole the show right out from under the overly confident brat pack...I found his performance to be very commanding and impressive. A nice surprise to see comedian Red Skelton and Norm Fell (Three's Company's Mr. Roper!) in there as well!

A few things hilariously go unexplained, like how they all managed to get casino jobs virtually overnnight, but it hardly seemed to matter. You know this movie is basically just a vehicle for the brat pack, and it's pure entertainment to just watch all these legends hamming it up, especially during the couple of musical interludes where you get to hear Dean Martin and Sammy Davis Jr. croon a few really catchy songs, like E-O Eleven!

At the same time it's also a window into another era, a time of larger than life Hollywood stars. Another thing that really jumped out at me was how unabashedly politically incorrect this movie is, showcasing a dramatically different mentality than what we see in movies today. Ocean's Eleven is a pure guy flick, where all the women are no more than window dressing and are treated as such by the male characters. As dated as the macho attitude of the film may seem nowadays (and even already by late 60's standards), I found it to be a fascinating glimpse into the past when guys were guys and women were umm, dames! As ironic as it is, I found seeing this old movie without the typical modern day contrived politically correct preaching to be very refreshing, and somehow strangely rebellious!

Rat pack's triumph

[MrKearns-2 · 7/10 · 2 November 1999]

Ocean's 11 is a surprisingly fun film. It takes its time in developing the plot, but once it's there, it is extremely watchable and interesting, not to mention inspiring (it's hard not to consider knocking off a few casinos after watching Ocean's 11).

Sinatra and Martin don't do anything spectacular to re-invent acting, but that's just fine, because they really don't have to. The storyline is peculiar enough and the script is witty enough to keep a viewer interested.

If nothing else, this film is worth watching just to see Cesar Romero as something besides the Joker. Not that this makes him any less evil, mind you.

If I have one problem with the film, it's buying the fact that these 11 men all managed to be paratroopers. There's not a pound of muscle on anyone besides Dean Martin.

So if you can overlook that, it's well worth your time.

Big Yawn

[m.p. · 1/10 · 9 December 2001]

Like others, I decided to see this because of the hoopla for the 2001 remake. What a waste of time, but fortunately, I cut my losses after the first hour and started switching back and forth between the movie and war coverage on the news channels. I didn't miss anything. The pace was about as fast as frozen fudge dripping off an ice cream sundae: slug-like, in other words. Maybe 40 years ago, a story about a bunch of ne'er-do-well World War II vets was still relevant, but now the characters just seem like a bunch of boring losers. Presumably, whatever appeal this movie ever had was because of the novelty of the Ratpack celeb cast. Nowadays Ocean's 11 might serve as a curiosity piece showcasing the things Hollywood used to be able to say and portray in movies without a second thought: Chinese and blacks portrayed as stereotypical servants and servers (even Sammy does a Stepin Fetchit turn), women portrayed as occasionally necessary but mostly resented accessories (did the Taliban get their ideas on how to treat women from this movie????). And how annoying was Akim Tamiroff in his role? Skip this piece of dreck - spend the time cleaning out your refrigerator or something - at least the fridge will live up to its "cool" reputation.

Viva Las Vegas, the old one, that is...

[jotix100 · 6/10 · 19 December 2001]

This was never meant to be a good film, much less, serious filmmaking. To get Lewis Milestone to direct the Rat Pack was a hopeless task. We don't believe for a moment these characters are none other than Frank, Dean, Sammy, Peter, Joey doing their shtick. Having watched the other night this original version on TMC, I can state that it was more fun to see the Las Vegas of yore than the "bore" of the new remake with all the high tech and highly paid "so-called-stars". The new version uses actors that pale in comparison with their older predecessors.

The DVD that was shown on TV had very vivid colors and it looked more vibrant than Steven Soderbergh's own treatment. The new hotels might be more spectacular than the old ones shown here, but there was a certain glamour attached to them and a certain innocence, even though they all dealt in the same business they do nowadays. Perhaps because those hotels were for adults only, the old Las Vegas was much more fun than the present mess with theme hotels that perhaps were created for children who are allowed to bring their parents to gamble. The whole plot of the 1960 Oceans Eleven is absurd, but viewed right after the new remake, it made more sense, especially the end, which holds an ironic twist. Mr. Soderbergh's film implies a different outcome than Milestone's surprising end. Well, perhaps he knows better, or is he trying to tell us that crime, indeed does pay?

Kind of slow but never boring.

[Boba_Fett1138 · 7/10 · 7 June 2012]

Well, I admit that this wasn't the fun movie, I expected it to be but it still was a good watch and you of course also need to put it in perspective.

Back in 1960 this movie was really something new. You have to give the movie credit for breaking some of early film-making patterns. This movie definitely feels more modern than the usual 1960 production and must also be part of the reason why this movie has become sort of a classic.

But really, the movie is not as slick or fast paced as you perhaps would expect. I was actually surprised how long the movie took to set things up. 30 minutes into the movie, it is still busy setting up its characters and the heist hasn't really come into play yet. Not that the movie ever becomes boring, after all there is always something going on but it does let the movie drag at parts and also takes away some of the fun.

And it's not like the actual heist is being all that spectacular to watch either. It's fun to see how it plays out but it actually is more fun to see what happens afterward. This was when the movie really started to take off and became a truly good and interesting little crime-comedy.

It's all still good to watch. I mean, it's an harmless, enjoyable movie, made for simple entertainment purposes only, that besides got well made and acted out.

Frank Sinatra never had been the most impressive actor but he plays simply a good role in this movie! Other well known actors such as Dean Martin, Sammy Davis Jr., Angie Dickinson, George Raft and Cesar Romero also show up, as well as Red Skelton in a small and pointless cameo appearance.

It's not a smooth, fast paced movie but it still offers plenty of entertainment and therefore also remains perfectly watchable today.

7/10

http://bobafett1138.blogspot.com/

Cool vs uncool.

[Celluloid_Vince · 7/10 · 26 August 2005]

Cool was The Rat Pack and the era this movie was made, when both men and women dressed up to do the town.

Uncool is Julia Roberts.

Cool is Las Vegas during it's heyday in the original.

Uncool is what this city is turning into (kid friendly).

Cool is George Clooney's aunt Rosemary. Uncool is her nephew, George Clooney.

Cool would have been to leave this movie alone.

Uncool was the above warning not heeded.

Cool is not making a sequel to the original. Uncool, again, is not heeding the above warning, by making a sequel of a remake.

Cool was Hollywood during this same era. Uncool is Hollywood now, not even bothering to make anything original.

Cool was the studio system, flawed but still successful. Uncool is the so-called Independent film groups who realize they still need to make movies with the same money the studios needed.

Cool were actors who realized their success was in acting.

Uncool are actors who do not realize opening their mouths about anything other than acting and trying to sound intellectual are only displaying their vapid lack of intellect.

Cool will forever be the Rat Pack. Uncool will always be today's pretty boy actors.

Clever and entertaining

[TheLittleSongbird · 8/10 · 16 March 2011]

As much as I quite like the remake with George Clooney and co. I have a softer spot for this film. It is a very clever and entertaining film, and also underrated, I know this film has its fans but when it comes to talking of the best caper movies, the 1960 version of Ocean's Eleven is rarely mentioned which I think is a shame as it deserves to be mentioned as such. It may be a tad overlong, but what I love about Ocean's Eleven is its story. It is very sleek and audacious in its structure and entertainment value, and while one might say the ending is derivative in a sense it is also a clever one. The film looks great too, with slick cinematography and interesting sets and locations, and the music fits with the period very nicely. The direction is smart, the script is witty and I think quotable too, the characters have a lot of likability and charm about them and the film is superbly cast with Dean Martin and Frank Sinatra especially impressive and it was really nice to see Angie Dickinson, Peter Lawford, Sammy Davis Jnr and Cesar Romero as well. Overall, a very entertaining movie. 8/10 Bethany Cox

I prefer the 2001 remake

[cricketbat · 6/10 · 23 November 2018]

Maybe it's because I grew up in a different era, but I prefer the 2001 remake of Ocean's 11. The original version really drags. Hardly anything happens for the first hour. They hadn't mastered the art of the montage in 1960, so the set-up for the heist is drawn out too long. The ending is entertaining, and it's fun to see the Rat Pack together, but this is one of the few instances when the original isn't the better film.

probably more compelling off-screen

[SnoopyStyle · 5/10 · 4 May 2015]

Danny Ocean (Frank Sinatra) and Jimmy Foster (Peter Lawford) have gathered war buddies to pull off a new commando raid. They plan to rob five Las Vegas casinos on New Year's Eve. Beatrice (Angie Dickinson) is Ocean's ex. Sinatra's playmates Dean Martin, Joey Bishop and Sammy Davis join him to have some fun.

This was a great excuse for Sinatra to gather his Rat Pack and party in Vegas. The script is surprisingly pedestrian. The setup meanders in an endless series of boring scenes. The cinematic style is stiff. The performances are nothing to write home about either. It may be that the best performances happened off screen as the buddies drank the nights away. The saddest thing is that this is a waste of good talent.

This movie stinks but looks cool.

[anchovyd · 16 September 2011]

I first saw this movie when I was a little kid. Being a big Sinatra fan and a lover of 60's and 70's movies I watched it again last night. I remembered loving it as a kid but now I have to say that this movie stinks.

Sure it looks all 60's cool and has Sinatra, Martin, and Davis but honestly it was Cesar Romero who stole the show. Romero housed every member of the rat pack. This guy was on a different level from the rest of the cast and it showed. Sinatra was phoning it in as was Martin. The only guys even trying to act were Davis and Lawford. After the film was over I had a new found respect for Cesar Romero.

Okay now that I've crapped on the acting which was mediocre with the exception of Cesar R. I really have to crap on the writing, but this is more like something after eating five black bean burritos with chiles and a quart of Mexican tap water.

Who is the Greek guy? Why is he even in the film? It looks like Sinatra has the thing planned out what did this guy do? I guess he was there for comic relief but not only was he annoying but his purpose is never really explained. Why would the 11 cut him in, he didn't do anything.

Next, you mean to tell me that there is no security in the money room at a casino. I mean basically these guys turn off the lights and only have to subdue one or two money counters before getting to the safe at each casino. I can suspend my disbelief as much as the next guy but you'd have to be brain dead to buy into this part of the story.

Finally, the Ocean's 11 gang are spread out from Phoenix to Salt Lake, to San Francisco and Los Angeles. The gang descends on Vegas to pull the heist but then as a matter of coincidence everybody's mistress, mom and fiancé also decide to go to Vegas for the New Year's festivities, to throw a monkey wrench in the heist and put Cesar Romero on the case. The script is weak. Decent story but the execution is lame from the get go.

After seeing so many rave reviews for this flick I just had to chime in. Giving it a 9 out of 10 because this "isn't supposed to be a good movie" is a sorry excuse. So is the lame excuse "hey these guys are just being themselves and goofing off like they do when the cameras aren't rolling." To my eyes the Rat Pack weren't having fun. They looked bored and like they were all mailing it in. Looks more like they had a contractual obligation to make this flick and they didn't put any effort into it. Like I said the only guys trying were Sammy Davis Jr, and the scene stealing Cesar Romero.

As a heist film this movie stinks. Rating 1/10 Good premise, that's it. Acting stinks for the most part: 3/10 (Cesar gets an 11/10.) Script: 0/10 Style Points: 8/10 pretty cool display of 60's cool. Needed more exteriors and cars to bring it to 10/10 the sets were cheap too.

Overall a 4/10 for me. Sinatra and gang normally cool but are borderline lame in this movie and it's the script that should have been put in that casket with Richard Conte, not the mony.

1000 times better than the remake.

[t-09253 · 7/10 · 8 November 2019]

Despite the fact than it is better than the original, this movie still has many issues and problems but is quite entertaining and enjoyable.

A Summit meeting the way it should be conducted!

[auntlark · 7/10 · 22 August 2002]

Ocean's Eleven is not for everyone. There are no big special effects. As far as heist movies go, it's a nice idea, but there are movies that have better and that actually stay focused on the heist. It's still a wonderful movie, though, because it very simply is the best representation of that classic pop culture phenomenon usually called the Rat Pack. If you lived during that time, I don't have to explain that to you. I did not, and I find that many of my generation don't understand what Ocean's Eleven is as a result. Ocean's Eleven is not so much a heist movie as it is a glimpse of the magic chemistry created by the coolest and very talented entertainers of the time. It is also a window on the lives they lived offstage. As those lives were imperfect, so are the characters and story in the movie. We see Frank Sinatra's Danny Ocean with both mistress and wife, all three carrying wounds from the association. It's a true reflection of the time in the attitude that there were the kind of women who were wives, and another kind who were mistresses, and mixing them up was very confusing and heartbreaking to all involved. Whether we agree with that in our modern sensibilities is not the point. It's not as if we've got all the answers when it comes to defining the role of women, anyway. Thus for those used to a traditional romantic story tied up in a bow, Ocean's Eleven doesn't make sense. For anyone who knows that Frank Sinatra had both wives and mistresses, and the story of them had rocked Hollywood and the country for years prior to the making of the movie. I've always been very impressed that Mr. Sinatra was willing to expose himself in such a vulnerable light where we the fans might not think he's perfect. That's what Ocean's Eleven really is. For those of us not privileged to get to see a meeting of the Summit, on the stage in Vegas or in their homes with one another, the movie serves as a glimpse, a fancy kind of home movie. Not that every character is on screen completely what he is off screen. Dean was not so much the womanizing lush you might think if you take the performance literally. Sammy Davis and company say seemingly un-pc things about race that might give one the wrong idea, too, if one does not realize it's a jab at the reality of the times. The portrait of the friendship, the entertainment skill, and many of the personal details are ripped straight from reality, though. Thus I was shocked when whatever creative powers that be made the choice to remake the movie because they could improve on what I read them dismiss as the ridiculous elements of the movie such as the merry band breaking into song during a heist. That's only ridiculous if you take this as a heist movie. Those moments weren't beside the point; they were the point! They show us the magical talent each member of this board brought to the table and give us a hint of the relationships they shared on that high Summit, which aren't so different after all than the human relationships all of us have. Love it or hate it, it is an invaluable reflection of the time.

"Why waste all those cute little tricks the army taught us, just because it's sorta peaceful now?"

[Anonymous_Maxine · 7/10 · 5 May 2005]

You know, for such a classic film it's amazing how badly so much of it was made. The lighting is atrocious, the acting wooden, the scene structure is like your standard sitcom template, and the editing is childish and uneven. The lighting during the blackout scene, for example, was awful, as was the lighting during the robberies of the actual safes. Someone lights a match and the entire set lights up like daytime. A guy shines a flashlight into a safe and a stage light hits him in the face so brightly that he literally has to squint. Lights were reflecting off of people's faces when it was supposed to be a blackout.

Kind of like how in The Great Escape when all the prisoners are crawling out of the tunnel, they're lit so brightly that it's almost impossible to believe that the German guards didn't see them. They might as well have pulled off the escape in the middle of the day. Then again, this was during the time when filmmakers were transitioning away from day-for-night photography and learning how to actually shoot at night. Also consider the scene were the red balloons floated in front of the camera to show the five casinos simultaneously, seconds before the stroke of midnight. Those balloons floating in front of the camera were edited so badly that it's astounding to me that it made it into the final cut like that. Taking five frames off the beginning and end of each clip would have smoothed the sequence out perfectly.

Even so, this is an outstanding film, although I have to say it is one of the rare cases where I liked the remake better than the original. It is also one of the rare cases where the extensive changes made in the remake are justified, because Las Vegas was an entirely different world in 2001 from what it was in 1960. You couldn't, for example, go into a casino and start spraying a mysterious substance onto various door handles in plain sight and with wide, swooping arm motions. Security must have been either extremely lax or bordering on incompetent back then, because you wouldn't have even needed surveillance cameras to see what some of these guys were doing. All you would need was to be awake.

One thing that I definitely liked better about the original film than the remake, however, was the love story involving Danny Ocean, which was spectacularly botched in the 2001 version of the movie. The difference in the endings of the films is also one of the bigger differences, I tend to prefer the original ending, although I can understand why it was changed for the remake the way it was. How could you make a movie with George Clooney, Brad Pitt, Julia Roberts, Don Cheadle, and Matt Damon and not design the ending to be conducive to a sequel?

If you get this movie on DVD, make sure to check out the Map of Las Vegas videos in the Special Features. There are some cool little short videos about the casinos in the movie in 1960 and the same casinos today, the ones that are still standing, at least. I found it particularly interesting because I took a trip to Las Vegas a couple weeks ago and stayed at the Sahara. It's amazing how much the town has changed. Also, if you look around a bit you'll find a 30 second clip of the destruction of the Sands hotel. Fascinating and heartbreaking at the same time.

Enjoyable, old style Rat Pack movie stars showing real screen presence.

[PyrolyticCarbon · 6/10 · 14 February 2003]

Having seen the Hollywood remake, and being a big fan of Dean Martin and an interest in Frank Sinatra and Sammy Davis Jr, I was torn between what this film had to live up to or what it didn't. However predictable the story may be and lacking in high excitement, gadgets and action as the remake, it still retains the charm and charisma exuded by the lead roles, in particular by Dean Martin and Sammy Davis Jr. However, Joey Bishop and Henry Silva could have probably done with a strict course of acting lessons prior to the movie. Luckily though, their parts are none too important and the screen is continually stolen by the top three billings. There's even a brief appearance from Shirley Mclaine. A good little film, enjoyable enough, especially for those who love the Rat Pack and their era of movies – real movie stars.

What's your drink?

[bobc-5 · 8/10 · 19 July 1999]

While other movies try to induce the willing suspension of disbelief, this movie goes the entire opposite direction and never lets us forget that these are entertainers putting on a performance. In case you weren't entirely sure, the closing shot leaves no doubt. As one reviewer perfectly describes it, "The blurred boundaries between showbiz and private life seem to have vanished for good." That's quite an accomplishment!

The stars aren't acting, they're partying down in an elaborate role-playing game and inviting you the viewer to play along with them. Join the party and for 2 hours you too can be a swinging, sophisticated member of the rat pack who can simultaneously handle a martini and cigarette in one hand and doesn't have to pause for even a second when somebody asks "what's your drink?". "Ocean's Eleven" is the "Pulp Fiction" of the Kennedy era - a movie that makes you feel hip just to watch it.

Dull dull dull

[preppy-3 · 2/10 · 10 December 2001]

Definitely see the remake--this is a long, dull, unfunny, racist and sexist film. The Rat Pack get together to rob 5 casinos in Las Vegas. That's about it for the plot. Also Angie Dickinson (looking stunning) pops up for a few unnecessary scenes as Sinatra's ex. The script is all talk--it's a full hour before the plot actually starts--the performances are incredibly wooden, the jokes are bad and sick (Dean Martin talks about making women slaves; Sammy Davis Jr is asked "how do you get that black stuff off your face?") and it's just very dull. Davis has one good song at the beginning, the film looks fantastic and there's a great twist ending but that's it. Purportedly, back in 1960, just having that cast together in one film was enough to satisfy some people--who cares about a plot? It was just to see them all look good and act "cool". Over 30 years later though we need something else. This ages VERY badly. Avoid at all costs--a really lousy film.

Excellent even if it was a vanity project.

[planktonrules · 8/10 · 25 July 2013]

There is something about heist pictures. Nearly all of them are very good and exciting and of all the genres, it's one of the most consistently good. Think about it--with films like "Rififi", "Grand Slam", "The Italian Job", "The Killing" and "Topkapi" it's easy to find a great heist film. Well, despite my trepidation, it turns out that "Ocean's Eleven" is also another dandy heist film. I say trepidation because I always assumed it was just a vanity project--an excuse for Sinatra and his friends to get together and make a film. Well, while this is true, the film also was quite nice--with a dandy script and nice acting all around.

The film's title comes from Frank Sinatra's character's name--Danny Ocean. Danny is organizing a bunch of his old war buddies to commit the ultimate robbery--to simultaneously hit the five big casinos in Vegas. The planning is meticulous, the heist comes off without a hitch--but you KNOW with a film like this SOMETHING will go wrong, and by the end, that's exactly what happens. See it for yourself and you'll know what I mean.

I really liked the movie. Although this WAS a bunch of friends getting together to make a film, they obviously cared to make a good one. The great twist ending sure helped but it also was nice that they gathered such an amazing ensemble cast. Well worth seeing--particularly so you can hear Sammy Davis deliver the line: "I knew this color would come in handy one day". Watch the film--you'll understand why it's so funny.

This is a terrible film.

[patricia_wick · 2/10 · 2 January 2002]

This is truly dissapointing. It is more of a game of guess who is sober in any given scene. It is dull and hard to follow. I can only guess that the scenes that would make it easier to follow were unusable because the actors were so wasted. A terrible waste of time.