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Caper

Used for:

Action-adventure
Suspense

Related Terms:

Crime
Film Noir
Gangster
Mystery
Police
Thriller

Scope Note:

Fictional work concentrating on the planning and eventual execution of a single major crime, such as a robbery of a bank vault or museum, requiring meticulous preparation and perfect organization and timing. The task is usually undertaken by a diverse gang to bring together the skills and specializations required, and they often have uneasy personal relations. Suspense derives from the question of whether or how the plans will succeed or fail (by accident or a factor overlooked), what will become of the loot, and whether some or all of the criminals will escape. Feature examples: THE ASPHALT JUNGLE; GAMBIT; HOW TO STEAL A MILLION (with Comedy); THE KILLING (with Film Noir); THE LAVENDER HILL MOB (with Comedy); RESERVOIR DOGS (with Police); RIFIFI; THE STING (with Buddy); TOPKAPI.

Subject Categories:

Genres