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In 2023, Pierce Brosnan embarked on an intriguing new chapter in his career by hosting the documentary crime series History’s Greatest Heists on the History Channel. He follows the impressive precedents set by renowned figures like Laurence Fishburne and Morgan Freeman, who have respectively hosted History’s Greatest Mysteries and History’s Greatest Escapes.
History’s Greatest Heists delves into the intricate planning, execution, and repercussions of some of the most audacious heists recorded in history. The program employs dramatic cinematic reenactments, alongside expert interviews and visual effects to vividly portray these events. The premiere episode spotlights the notorious 2003 Antwerp diamond heist, in which a group of Italian criminals executed a daring infiltration of the Antwerp World Diamond Centre, absconding with over $100 million in jewelry.
Drawing parallels to the riveting crime dramas directed by Michael Mann, History’s Greatest Heists captivates the audience by interweaving the technical finesse required for a substantial heist with an exploration of the psychological motivations of desperation and greed that frequently lead to the downfall of even the most skilled criminal masterminds.
Nevertheless, despite a captivating debut season, History’s Greatest Heists has yet to be renewed for a second season. This is surprising given the vast array of extraordinary heists that are ripe for examination, especially with Brosnan’s charismatic hosting style, which echoes some of his most iconic roles.
Pierce Brosnan Proves There’s No Such Thing as a Perfect Crime
While History’s Greatest Heists undoubtedly thrills viewers with its depiction of the precise plans and strategies required for monumental heists, it is often the aftermath of these crimes that provides the most gripping narrative. The series effectively illustrates that the challenge of executing a heist pales in comparison to the difficulty of evading capture, which frequently results from the unwise decisions of even the most clever criminals.
The 1972 United California Bank robbery exemplifies this irony. A group of Ohio-based thieves traveled to Laguna Niguel, California, where they successfully stole around $9 million in cash and valuables. Despite the robbery’s successful execution, the aftermath was riddled with blunders, starting with the fact that the criminals chose to fly to California using their real identities. Upon their return to Ohio, they attempted yet another heist, which ultimately linked the two crimes in the eyes of law enforcement.
Echoing the themes of Michael Mann’s film Heat, the heists presented in History’s Greatest Heists often highlight the strategic duel between law enforcement and criminals, alongside the criminals’ desperate attempts to distance themselves from their illicit activities. The infamous 1971 Baker Street robbery, where thieves tunneled into Lloyds Bank in London to loot safety deposit boxes, showcases the thieves’ subsequent pursuit by Scotland Yard, a story further popularized by the film The Bank Job. In the case of the Lufthansa Heist, referenced in the iconic film Goodfellas, nearly every individual involved met a tragic end.
One of the challenges of being a successful criminal is that true masterminds are exceedingly rare, with many of them often residing behind bars. Following a significant heist, law enforcement typically reverts to their usual suspects in investigations.
Pierce Brosnan Is a Heist Expert
Beyond his well-known suave persona, shaped during his tenure as James Bond from 1995 to 2002, Pierce Brosnan was an exemplary choice to lead History’s Greatest Heists because of his extensive background in the heist genre.
Brosnan first captured attention in the 1980s television series Remington Steele, where he portrayed a charming character who transitions from a former thief to a private detective. Subsequently, he starred in the 1999 romantic heist film The Thomas Crown Affair, where he assumes the role of a billionaire art thief, embodying a character who steals purely for the thrill of the act.
His passion for heist films is underscored by his role in the 2004 action-comedy After the Sunset, where he plays a jewel thief navigating the Caribbean while evading an FBI agent. More recently, Brosnan starred as Billy McDermott in the 2023 film The Out-Laws, where he takes on the part of the ringleader of a group notorious for bank robberies.
History Is Full of Great Heists for Brosnan to Cover
Should History’s Greatest Heists resume for a second season, there is no shortage of remarkable heists waiting to be uncovered. One noteworthy heist that was planned for the inaugural season but ultimately omitted is the 1899 Wilcox train robbery, which saw armed men hijack a train in Wilcox, Wyoming, escaping with around $36,000 in cash and valuables. This unsolved case has historical ties to the infamous outlaw Butch Cassidy, famously portrayed by Paul Newman in the film Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid.
Furthermore, one of history’s largest bank robberies was executed not by seasoned criminals but by the former Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein. In 2003, as the United States was poised to invade Iraq, he dispatched his son Qusay to the Central Bank with a handwritten note, allowing the withdrawal of nearly $1 billion in cash. This operation resulted in the money being stored in trailers and trucks. Although a substantial portion of the stolen funds—around $650 million—was later discovered hidden inside one of Saddam’s palaces, the fate of the remaining money remains a mystery. History’s Greatest Heists is now available for streaming on the History Channel website, Disney+, and Hulu.
Source
movieweb.com