Eric Stevenson I was interested in seeing this movie because it was based on a true story. It wasn't just that, it's that the people in the bank depicted in the scenes were actually people from the real life robbery! It is in fact important to properly represent an actual historical event, but it's rather easy enough to do it when you are yourself an actual person there. You know, not much actual acting. The bank scene that concludes the movie is really well done. Of course, I expected no less from the real life people were a part of it. I didn't know people actually died in that incident.Now, the thing is, while the bank scene is great, the rest of the movie is just mediocre. I mean, I guess I haven't done my research so I don't know how accurate the buildup was. These are the scenes that have too much talking and aren't that interesting. I do understand that the real life people had no problem with the way the movie was filmed and I have to respect the bravery they showed in the event. It's just that I think this movie would have worked a lot better as a short film. That's really all the time you need to show this.I harbor no ill will towards the people involved in the robbery, although as it happened in the 1950's, they are all probably dead now. That's still not an excuse to not honor them. In a weird way, I would recommend this movie if only because the bank scene is done well with the real life people involved. This is certainly better than other movies based on true stories like "Pearl Harbor" or "Patch Adams" (even though the real Patch Adams supports homeopathy, which has been scientifically proved to be the least effective medicine in existence). It doesn't become as good as "To Hell And Back" which also featured the real life person doing the acting and is a far superior movie. If you're into history, then I suggest this even though it isn't really all that good. **1/2

hawktwo I tuned this in to catch a glimpse of early Steve McQueen. I stayed to watch it. The scenes of St. Louis were very interesting from a historic point of view. So much attention on the cars and the buildings -- this is an accidental snapshot in time. Steve McQueen grabs the attention as very angst ridden about his decisions, seemingly being drawn in a bad situation inch by inch. His girlfriend, although encouraging him to stay on the right path, also abets by funding the duo and not going to the police. Although not a well-known film, overall the acting and the dialog is quite natural. I can see why there is question of a homosexual relationship -- but in those days, hotels/motels were frequently not much more than a tiny bedroom with a double bed and a common bathroom down the hall. Kids frequently slept 2 or 3 to a bed and it wasn't uncommon for adults to share beds to save money.

William Frederick This movie proves that acting can be learned ,if a person is given enough time. Molly and Steve would have embarrassed their acting coaches.The movie is almost painful to watch when you compare McQueens acting in this movie and then Tom Horn at the end of his career.There are comments about gay themes in this movie. I didn't get that idea although ,when the leader of the gang came into the bedroom of Steve and his uncle and they were in the same bed looking startled, it did run through my mind. Some of McQueens response to the police activity towards the end of the movie could be construed in this light. I must admit I didn't realize this theme till I read it in one of the reviews

bkoganbing Steve McQueen has certainly a lot of loyal fans out there. He certainly was a charismatic fellow, one of the most charismatic the big screen ever knew. But even McQueen can't save this turkey of a film, shot with what looks like a brownie camera in the actual locations in St. Louis.McQueen's a new kid with no criminal record brought into the planning of a bank heist by one of the other gang. There's more than a broad hint that there's a gay relationship going on between young Steve and David Clarke. He's not liked at all by the other heist members, mainly because of his lack of criminal resume. Steve also has a girl friend in Molly McCarthy and she suspects something afoot, especially when he starts hanging around with Crahan Denton and James Dukas as well as Clarke, all pretty rough characters. That would certainly get my suspicions aroused.The Great St. Louis Bank Robbery had two directors Charles Guggenheim and John Stix. Guggenheim did mostly documentaries and Stix didn't do much of anything. One of those two jokers decided Steve's performance was best served by doing a bad Marlon Brando imitation. This film may go down as the worst ever done by Steve McQueen. I'm willing to bet that Dick Powell and Four Star Productions had already signed him for Wanted Dead or Alive because I can't believe they would have if they saw this.Or they would have seen something the public would have overlooked except for the dressing for this turkey.