Tied for the best movie I have ever seen

Very interesting film. Was caught on the premise when seeing the trailer but unsure as to what the outcome would be for the showing. As it turns out, it was a very good film.

Yes, absolutely, there is fun to be had, as well as many, many things to go boom, all amid an atmospheric urban jungle.

It really made me laugh, but for some moments I was tearing up because I could relate so much.

Copyright 12 July 1967 by Harris Associates/Bavaria Atelier. New York opening at neighborhood theaters: 10 November 1967. U.S. release: 12 July 1967. U.K. release: 15 October 1967. Australian release: 15 February 1968. Running times: 107 minutes (US and Aust), 90 minutes (UK).SYNOPSIS: Although the international jewel thief known as the Ace of Diamonds has long been in retirement, his protégé Jeff Hill — appropriately dubbed the Jack of Diamonds — is rapidly building a reputation equal to his mentor's. After stealing a fortune in jewels from the New York apartment of Zsa Zsa Gabor, Jeff sets out to execute a robbery aboard a luxury liner. Although he encounters another cat burglar in one of the staterooms, he succeeds in escaping with the gems. Then, following the theft of Carroll Baker's jewels, Jeff flies to Munich and is visited by the Ace, who tries to persuade him to quit while he is still ahead of the game. But a chance meeting with a beautiful girl named Olga leads to Jeff's being introduced to the master thief of Europe, Nicolai. Even though he learns that Olga is the cat burglar he tussled with on the luxury liner, Jeff agrees to join forces with her and Nicolai in removing the fabled Zaharoff diamonds from an electronically-guarded bank vault in Paris. As the elaborate details of the crime are being worked out, Jeff cannot resist stealing the jewels of a third film star, Lilli Palmer. On the day of the Zaharoff job, however...NOTES: Location scenes filmed in New York City, Paris, Genoa, Munich, and the Bavarian Alps. Interiors at Bavaria Studios, Munich. COMMENT: A fairly exciting script, very capably acted by all concerned. A shame the comic elements were not played up more. At least one wisecrack is exceptionally hilarious, and the anti-climax itself is delicious; but generally the comedy is subdued in favor of the drama. In the less than inventive hands of director Don Taylor, the drama often seems too drearily self-conscious for true excitement. Taylor's pacing is too slow. Trimming the more heavy- handed passages by at least ten or fifteen minutes would be a distinct advantage. Provided the cutting was done with finesse, the U.K. version could well be the one to enjoy.

Modern-day Canadian cat burglar, young, handsome and rich, steals precious gems from wealthy women all over the world; he's mentored by a veteran thief, both of whom become begrudging partners with a female cat burglar and her stepfather, who has concocted his own Mission: Impossible--stealing royal blood red diamonds from an impenetrable vault. Disposable caper, written by four screenwriters (Jack DeWitt, co-producer Sandy Howard, Howard Joseph and Robert L. Joseph), has tongue in cheek and brain in neutral. The tinkling background score from Peter Thomas and Bob Harris lends the proceedings some groovy charm, but lead George Hamilton (while agile) fails to lighten the load with his nondescript personality. Star cameos by robbery victims Lilli Palmer, Carroll Baker and Zsa Zsa Gabor (playing themselves) are incidental, though Gabor makes the most of her screen time with a cheeky turn. ** from ****

"The Jack of Diamonds" is a most enjoyable film, for fans of Mr. Hamilton. The story is that of a retired jewel thief (Joseph Cotton) who is known as "The Ace of Diamonds." Although he has long since retired, his new protégé George Hamilton has earned the reputation of a world class Cat Bugler and is so proficient he has come to the attention of international Insurance investigator Von Schenk (Wolfgang Presiss.) The insurance organization and the police are very interested in capturing him and the other two re-known jewel thieves like the King and Queen of Diamonds, (Murice Evans and Maire Laforte) and their aid Helmut (Karl Lieffen). They plan on going after the World Series of Jewels called the Hazerhoff Collection and will need all their collective skills to obtain it as it is not only well guarded, but the insurance company is waiting for them to try. Fun is an understatement, as the combined star power makes the film as interesting as the caper itself. A good film in any sense of the word. ****

This mildly entertaining German-American production has a Yankee take on the European tradition of suave jewel thieves. Perhaps influenced by the popular Italian comic books, star George Hamilton looks like Diabolik at times (though this movie was released before the film Danger: Diabolik).Amusing cameos and supporting parts by many familiar faces and ably directed by veteran director/actor Don Taylor. Lots of nice Bavarian locations. Wolfgang Preiss, who played super-criminal Dr. Mabuse in a series of films, represents the law here. Even with some Morricone-ish music, one wishes it was more representative of the wild 60s Euro costumed criminal films like Danger: Diabolik, Kriminal and Mister X. The scene where Hamilton works on a trapeze in his mansion may have inspired the similar Lara Croft bit.