King of Thieves (2018 film)

King of Thieves

Company type	Film
Industry	Film industry
Founded	2018
Founder	James Marsh (director)
Products	Heist film

King of Thieves is a 2018 British heist film helmed by director James Marsh. Inspired by the 2015 Hatton Garden safe deposit burglary, the movie features a cast including Michael Caine, Tom Courtenay, Michael Gambon, Charlie Cox, Jim Broadbent, Paul Whitehouse, and Ray Winstone.

Plot

At his wife’s funeral, retired criminal Brian Reader reconnects with his former accomplices to orchestrate one final burglary targeting the Hatton Garden Safe Deposit. The team primarily comprises men in their sixties and seventies, with Basil, a younger specialist in alarms, as the sole junior member.

They plan the heist for the Easter weekend, aiming to maximize available time while reducing the chance of being caught. Disguised as gas maintenance workers, they deactivate security systems and begin drilling into the vault. When their jack malfunctions, the group halts their efforts. Brian withdraws from active participation but supplies Basil with a list of valuable safety deposit boxes in return for half the stolen goods.

Returning equipped with new tools, Basil and the team successfully breach the vault, making off with over £14 million worth of cash and jewels. During the distribution of the loot, Basil notices he is receiving less than his fair share and decides to take both cash and high-value diamonds from Brian’s list before departing.

Law enforcement quickly traces a vehicle connected to the gang, enabling them to monitor phone communications and conduct surveillance. As tensions escalate within the group, Brian insists on a bigger portion for masterminding the operation. Unknowingly, their conversations provide critical evidence that assists investigators.

Authorities intercept the gang at a planned final meeting for dividing the spoils, arresting everyone except Basil, who evades capture thanks to his disguise and early exit.

The film ends with the apprehended criminals preparing for trial, appearing resigned but reaffirming Brian’s leadership role.

Filming

The majority of filming took place in central London as well as around Margate in Kent. Notable locations include the Wig and Pen Pub, Nayland Rock Hotel, Harbour Arm, areas outside the Turner Contemporary, and Margate railway station. The train sequence featuring Brian Reader (Michael Caine) traveling to Margate was shot at Abbott's Cliff in Dover.

Cast

• Michael Caine as Brian Reader
• Jim Broadbent as Terry Perkins
• Tom Courtenay as John Kenny Collins
• Charlie Cox as Michael "Basil" Seed
• Paul Whitehouse as Carl Wood
• Michael Gambon as Billy "The Fish" Lincoln
• Ray Winstone as Danny Jones
• Francesca Annis as Lynn Reader
• Kellie Shirley as Terri Robinson

Soundtrack

Jazz-pop artist Jamie Cullum performed a rendition of "The Man" originally by The Killers, serving as the lead single for the King of Thieves soundtrack. The film’s musical score was created by Benjamin Wallfisch and was distributed through Milan Records.

Critical reception

According to the review compilation site Rotten Tomatoes, the movie holds an approval score of based on critiques, with an average rating of . The summarized consensus reads, "King of Thieves brings together a remarkable cast for a heist film rich with promise—much of which, unfortunately, dissipates well before the closing credits." On Metacritic, it received a score of 48 out of 100 from 16 reviewers, signifying "mixed or average reviews."

The Guardian gave the film a two-star rating, highlighting some compelling performances but criticizing it for its lack of humor, excitement, and believable narrative.

See also

• Hatton Garden: the Heist and The Hatton Garden Job – earlier cinematic portrayals inspired by the same true events.