Rough Cut (1980) User Reviews

Charming romantic caper movie; awesome leads

[TomFODW · 7/10 · 27 October 2001]

Rough Cut is delicious froth, a shiny bauble of wonderfully made costume jewelry - not the real thing, but so much fun you don't care how silly and artificial it is. Burt Reynolds and the overpoweringly gorgeous Lesley-Anne Down are so perfect in the lead roles that you forgive this movie its many flaws.

This is, essentially, a fairy tale. You know everything will go right, it's just a question of how. It's like the great early 1990s British show Lovejoy - filmed in a beautiful England of pastels and greenery, of charming U characters and not-all-that-menacing bad guys.

It's just a very enjoyable, very romantic caper movie with two terrific stars and a fine supporting cast, filmed in splendid colors. Everything doesn't have to be Some Like It Hot.

" Some criminals are so good, if you can't beat them . . join them "

[thinker1691 · 7/10 · 30 July 2010]

In his long lists of wonderful movies, Mr. David Niven has given audiences some real gems, this is among those which did not market very well, but has become a notable jewel. Niven plays an English Inspector who has tallied a great number of criminals. One however has continued to elude him for twenty years. Mr Jack Rhodes (Burt Reynolds) is the one Jewel thief he hopes to arrest before he is forced into retirement. To do that he extorts the services of Gillian Bromley (Lesley-Anne Down) another jewel thief. Her task is to lure Rhodes into a heist with a snare. The movie, Directed by Don Siegel, has many copy-cats such as 'jack of Diamonds' 'Entrapment' and 'Thomas Crown Affair.' In each is danger, interest and romance, but with this version, comedy become the additional element. Reynolds and Niven work well together and in doing so carry this film well. With good character actors like Patrick Magee and Timothy West, the story written by Larry Gelbart (MASH) fits well for all fans. As a result Reynolds and Niven create amusing fanfare for everybody. ****

Smooth performance by Burt Reynolds

[mark-rojinsky · 7/10 · 13 February 2022]

An effortless superbly timed performance by Burt Reynolds ('Sam Whiskey' (1969), ('Deliverance' (1972)) as a genial, wise-cracking mustachioed jewel-thief at large in London and Amsterdam. It was NME's Ian Penman who wrote in an eighties article that Reynold's flair acting was akin to that of a 'Rolls-Royce'.

Cute game of cat and mouse

[HotToastyRag · 7/10 · 22 February 2018]

Picture this: Burt Reynolds is at a decadent party. He spies Leslie-Anne Down in a sequined black dress and is determined to meet her. Neither of them speak, until at last, Burt opens his mouth and does his best Cary Grant impersonation. She smiles and asks, "Why are you doing Tony Curtis?" If you laughed just now, you'll like Rough Cut.

Burt catches Leslie stealing diamonds at the party, and he surreptitiously steals them from her a few minutes later. To get them back, she follows him back to his apartment and tries to stealthily rob him. Sparks fly, and he asks her on a date. In the next scene, she visits Chief Inspector David Niven; it turns out, she's cooperating with the police to catch Burt, a notorious jewel thief!

Rough Cut is a constant game of cat-and-mouse and who's-playing-who, so if you like those types of movies, you'll love this one. It's funny and full of twists and turns in the plot-and everyone is easy to root for! Rent this for a cute date night with your sweetie pie; it'll be a lot of fun.

Stylish caper film

[bkoganbing · 7/10 · 7 March 2021]

Don Siegel assembled a good cast together and did a terrific job directing Rough Cut. Especially with Burt Reynolds doing a bad Cary Grant imitation for Lesley Anne Down setting the stage. He reminded me of Cary and she of Grace Kelly from To Catch A Thief. Add David Niven to the mix and this film is a winner.

Niven is a chief inspector for Scotland Yard and de for retirement and a rocking chair. But before he goes he's going to get Reynolds a known thief he hasn't been able to touch because Reynolds is so darn clever. But he has a libido and Niven blackmails another jewel thief Lesley Anne Down to keep tabs on him. She does in every way she can.

Nice location cinematography in London and Amsterdam One interesting moment was when Niven at a low moment appears drunk and disheveled. Highly unusual for that most unflappable of actors.

And the ending, a complete surprise. he closest I can think of is Joe Mankiewicz's western There Was A Crooked Man, a western with some dark comedy moments, a considerably darker film than Rough Cut. But the endings are similar and this one will floor you.

This one is a real delight.

Burt's charms

[SnoopyStyle · 5/10 · 9 September 2018]

Cat burglar Jack Rhodes (Burt Reynolds) is at a high class party to steal jewels only to be scooped by Gillian Bromley (Lesley-Anne Down). He is immediately taken with her. He recruits her into his gang for a big job. She is actually a secret informer sent by Scotland Yard Chief Inspector Cyril Willis (David Niven).

Burt is trying to get by with his natural charms. It works to some extent but this movie is doomed from the start. Gillian working for Cyril should have been revealed much later. Gillian revealing that to Jack is even more problematic. One of the bad results is the lack of caper planning. That's one of the joys of a caper movie. The characters have fun planning and setting it all up. Instead, we're left with only Burt and Lesley frolicking and doing next to nothing. Any fun with the beginning gets slowly drained away. Another result from the lack of planning fun is not following the caper. First it's a plane chase and then it's a car chase. I don't think the caper actually makes sense and the final twist makes it complete non-sense. All that is left is an extremely charming Burt Reynolds.

very entertaining

[rupie · 7/10 · 20 August 2022]

Burt Reynolds was a better actor than he is given credit for, but I suspect his dramatic ambitions were not high. In any case, this is the kind of witty action movie he excelled in. We have here a superb cast, carried by Reynolds and David Niven, and a heist story whose improbabilities can be ignored in favor of the sheer pleasure of watching things progress to a surprise ending. Production values are first rate. This is the kind of light-hearted, intelligent entertainment we don't see much of anymore. A most enjoyable way to fritter away a couple of hours.

Ordinary, passable caper movie.

[gridoon · 5/10 · 25 April 2000]

Very ordinary indeed. There is almost nothing to separate this film from dozens of similar capers. There are bits of sophisticated dialogue and phlegmatic humor, but most of the time the film comes off as a poor imitation of its superior predecessors (Hitchcock's "To Catch A Thief" comes to mind). Unfortunately, director Don Siegel is not in top form and the film often feels too low-key and lacks energy. But Reynolds's charm is at its zenith here, and his pretty good byplay with David Niven provides some funny moments.

"I'm going to get Rhodes!"

[lost-in-limbo · 6/10 · 16 July 2011]

Another enjoyably hearty Burt Reynolds vehicle to the long-winded comedy caper list, but making it more a welcoming ride is a strong cast along side him with David Niven, Lesley-Ann Down and Patrick Magee. Director Don Siegel serviceably lets it flow without much structure, as the crafty story has its twists and turns with its clever façade before finally revealing its trump cards. An aging Scotland Yard detective Chief Insp. Cyril Willis is coming towards retirement, but before calling it a day he has plans of capturing Jack Rhodes an American jewel thief that throughout his career has always been one step ahead. So in comes a beautiful lady, which is part of the plan to nab his man. But what blossoms is unexpected.

Tailored like an old-fashioned romance comedy, "Rough Cut" is all about a laconically lounging Reynolds sweeping the gorgeous Lesley Ann-Down off her feet, while finding some time to organise a quick in and out heist of some diamonds. Sometimes the tone can be jumpy, but everything feels like its on cruise-control with Siegel's automatic handling, especially when it comes to the excitement and dangers of the job. The witty script is where the rapid fire comes from. However the action when it arrives is masterfully shot. It's smooth and magnetic, just like the performances. The interplay between the cast works. Reynolds plays it dry and confident. A sexy Down is a complete delight and Niven only adds to the wilily fun.

Surprisingly Disappointing

[malcolmgsw · 4/10 · 19 December 2020]

With David Niven in the cast and Don Siegal directing I was expecting a breezy,lighthearted romp.Instead it is a leaden paced squib.You keep waiting for something to happen,but it takes near to the end for it to come to life.Nice to see Roland Culver even if he was a bit doddery by then.

Not as good as Oceans Eleven, but in the same mold

[stuprince · 8/10 · 23 October 2003]

Solid film that has multiple people working together to pull off a jewel heist. David Niven is good, and Burt Reynolds breaks out of his "Smokey" types role and does something more sophisticated. Very much on the Oceans mold, though not as good. I always enjoy catching it on TV, fun film with some unexpected twists and turns.

Burt Reynolds Steals England

[TheFearmakers · 6/10 · 31 August 2022]

For poor David Niven, ROUGH CUT turned out to be the second heist comedy centering on diamond thieves where he gets lost in the mix: First of course was THE PINK PANTHER as the charming, sophisticated criminal with lawman Peter Sellers historically stealing the show, and here Niven himself is the dogged constable yet the entire picture belongs to Burt Reynolds and Lesley-Anne Down playing the suave burglars...

And although directed mostly by American edgy auteur Don Siegel and starring the American box office champ Reynolds, this British-set CUT has the witty pace and polished style of that country's crime-comedy genre including polite expository banter, lavish interior sets and plenty of champagne...

As the best scenes occur during the first half when Reynolds (initially seducing Susan Littler) and Down (who instantly catches his eye) are both figuring a way out of Niven's built-in blackmail, threatening to expose her prior classy-crookedness if she doesn't secretly help bust Burt's Jack Rhodes, the one villain who'd always gotten away...

After which the 11th hour diamond heist/con is overly complicated for both the girl caught in-between, and the audience who, in expecting another Reynolds popcorn-action flick, gets a semi-entertaining old fashion 1940's-in-the-1970's caper -- that needed much more of an edge (from both the director and its star) to give this proverbial clever riddle a more fulfilling punchline.

A 'Rough Cut' through sensibility.

[tomosp1965 · 3/10 · 24 October 2020]

One thing first... Why did the police chief (Niven) need the girl (Downe) to catch the thief? (Reynolds). She was surplus to requirements, and just a pretty face to distract from the poor script. Also, why all the wierd characters? The Nazi and the Pimp? There are lots of wasted parts.

Anyway, to the film in its entirety.

The film was just another crime caper in the long list of crime capers. The only difference is that this one was a waste of talent, and time.

3/10

Around the world in 100 snores... oops I mean minutes.

[mark.waltz · 4/10 · 29 January 2019]

Gorgeous to look at but emotionally empty, this caper comedy has good-looking stars in Burt Reynolds and Lesley Ann Downe, but little action until the end. Like the map of where this takes place, this film goes all over the place and its story of two jewel thieves, with one (Downe) being payed by agent David Niven to get the goods on Reynolds in order to drop the previous charges against her. Beating the daughter of a political bigwig, she's forced to agree but their affair becomes too hot, making her reluctant to betray him.

With so many other Caper films that were too good compared to this, the weakness of this film and its lack of consistency becomes too obviousfar too fast. In order to have a really good film, not only do you need great stars with great chemistry (which they do have) but a clear-cut story and direction that doesn't look like the road map that all of the participants in "It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World" took.

There are also far too many incidental characters that gets the film further off track, including Nazi criminals that have their own plane with the schwasticker on it. Apparently, trouble in pre-production got the script all messed up, and with producer David Merrick too busy on Broadway and several different directors involved, that led to a messy post production which ultimately leads to the film being as flawed as it is. Still, it's a passable time filler, and the three stars (basically playing themselves) eating it greatly thanks to their charm.

The Only Thing I Liked About This Film Was The Poster!

[newnoir · 14 September 2000]

Yes, the poster for this film. The neat image of sparkling, cut diamonds slipping through Burt Reynolds fingers. That's pretty much all I liked about this flick. Burt stars as a jewel thief who pulls off a heist in jolly old England. There's a very dated scene where one of the guys in Burt's crew shows of his collection of Nazi memorabilia. Nice. Not. But the Nazi dude then does his part in the caper working alongside the token black dude in the crew, so I guess the character's more liberal minded than the average Nazi. Don Siegel is usually a kickass director (i.e. Dirty Harry etc.) but he isn't here. Skip this film, you'll thank me in the morning, dear...over 'n' out...

As interesting as watching paint dry!

[siddsarkar-48-459554 · 2/10 · 29 May 2023]

This film is an utter waste of time! Utterly drab, pathetically slow and boring; an absolute snooze-fest! Even the so-called 'action sequences' are so ridiculously amateurish and stupidly boring that it would be hard to suppress yawns.

The acting of the entire cast is utterly wooden and pathetically mechanical. Burt Reynolds walks through the whole film like an expressionless robot or zombie.

The plotline was pretty interesting, but the movie has been totally let down by the director Don Siegel who turned the movie into a sleep-walking sequence. Stephen Spielberg or James Cameron would have turned the same movie into a pulse-pounding thriller.

A Brilliant Film.

[grickards55-1 · 10/10 · 5 November 2007]

This a brilliant film, a sophisticated comedy thriller in the 'North By Northwest' and 'To Catch A Thief' mould. I have always thought that Burt Reynolds was at his best in comedies, and his performance in this delightful film proves my point. David Niven adds his usual strong support in the role of the craft Chief Inspector Cyril Willis, (What a great name), and Lesley-Anne Down adds the required sophistication and glamour in necessary quantities. The supporting cast is excellent, especially Patrick Magee as the Nazi pilot. The script is extremely literate and funny, and the locations are glamorous and sophisticated. A great movie that I hope will come out on DVD. I musn't forget Nelson Riddle's brilliant score, orchestrating the work of Duke Ellington into a remarkable and hummable score. Can anybody please tell me if a soundtrack exists for this brilliant film? Also, who originally sang the song, 'Boogie, Let's Boogie'? Any help really will be appreciated. Thanks, Gaz.

1980 at its best

[laraintlww · 10/10 · 15 October 2020]

Burt Reynolds invites us into his world & what a wonderful world it is. It's wonderful to see someone so self-assured.

He creates a golden age of movies just by himself.

A diamond in the Rough

[GOWBTW-5STARreviewer · 9/10 · 23 August 2023]

This movie is a jewel. Burt Reynolds is a charmer. He plays a American jewel thief who teams up with a British jewel thief. He does it for the money. She gets a thrill of stealing. They both love the art of thievery. She loves the good life in every way. In this movie, there's honor in each other than for other thieves. The plan for the ultimate heist is on the way, and there's no backing down or out. Too bad there's no gold involved. And diamonds are a girl's best friend. Burt Reynolds and Lesley Ann Down make a great team in this movie. All I can say is that "It's a steal".

A must see classic.

4 out of 5 stars.