‘The Thomas Crown Affair’ on Blu-ray

Category: Blu-ray's and DVD's

Steve McQueen and Faye Dunaway star in the stylish and classic 1968 film The Thomas Crown Affair. Costarring Jack Weston and Paul Burke, the story of Thomas Crown (McQueen), a debonair genius who plots and carries out a magnificent bank heist was remade in 1999 with Pierce Brosnan and Rene Russo. Both are interesting and entertaining films, however the original still stands as one of the classiest depictions of drama.

Crown, a millionaire and businessman, is intelligent, suave, and stylish. He enjoys thrills and what could be more thrilling than plotting and carrying out a bank heist? Oh, and getting away with it? Meanwhile, Vicki Anderson (Dunaway), is hot on his case as an insurance investigator bent on getting her man. As she gets closer to him, in more ways than one, and he is up against a wall, he plots another heist and fills her in to see if she is on his side or not.

One of the bonus features in this Blu-ray release from Kino Lorber, is an interesting interview with director Norman Jewison who gives plenty of behind the scenes tidbits. He was drawn to the film by the story of Crown’s intricate way of stealing. Jewison was “impressed with the idea.” He just couldn’t see McQueen in the role because the actor never wore a suit and tie in his films, and Crown needed to be stylish and well-dressed. But McQueen loved the story and wanted to be in it. Steve McQueen “went crazy over the character,” Jewison says.

This was one of the first feature films to be shot in Boston. McQueen performed his own stunts. The robbery itself was intricate, involving several men who did not know Crown but each had his own job to do. The plot came together beautifully. Think Ocean’s Eleven, however in that film everyone knew each other.

Jewison discusses the famous chess scene where both characters played not only chess but also with each other’s emotions. He said he “wanted the longest kiss in screen history” to follow the game and described how they ended up filming that memorable scene. The director gives props to Legrand who scored the scene remarkably, according to Jewison.

The cinematography by Haskell Wexler combined with the coolness and suaveness of McQueen and the style of Dunaway combine to make this an entertaining film and one that although dated with the visuals, still holds the interest of viewers today.

The Thomas Crown Affair won two Academy Awards: one for Best Music Score by Michel Legrand and one for Best Original Song, “The Windmills of Your Mind” by Legrand and Alan and Marilyn Bergman. The song is one that long after the show ends, viewers will be humming it for days.

The Thomas Crown Affair is rated R.

About the Author

Francine Brokaw has been covering all aspects of the entertainment industry for over 30 years. She also writes about products and travel. She has been published in national and international newspapers and magazines as well as Internet websites. She has written her own book, Beyond the Red Carpet The World of Entertainment Journalists, is the entertainment correspondent for Good Day Orange County, and has her own TV show, Beyond the Red Carpet, on Village Television in Orange County. She is a longstanding member of the Television Critics Association and is accredited by the MPAA.