Ocean's Eleven (1960)
Danny Ocean and his gang attempt to rob the five biggest casinos in Las Vegas in one night.
Details
Budget
$0
Rating
6/10 (361 votes)
Status
Released
Production Companies
Warner Bros. Pictures, Dorchester
About Ocean's Eleven
Released in 1960, "Ocean's Eleven" presents a crime comedy centered on a group of former World War II servicemen who plan to rob five Las Vegas casinos simultaneously on New Year's Eve. The film features prominent members of the "Rat Pack," including Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Sammy Davis Jr., Peter Lawford, and Joey Bishop. It blends elements of a heist thriller with comedic interactions among the ensemble cast, exploring themes of friendship, loyalty, and the allure of a daring, seemingly perfect crime.
The movie has a runtime of 127 minutes and has been rated 6 out of 10 on average by 361 votes on TMDB, with an IMDb rating of 6.5 from over 26,000 votes. Critics on Rotten Tomatoes gave it a 47% approval, and Metacritic assigned a score of 57 out of 100. While the film is recognized for its star power and historical significance, its critical reception suggests a mixed view on its overall execution and lasting appeal.
Why you might be searching for Ocean's Eleven
People are often searching for this movie due to its connection with the Rat Pack and its status as the original heist film that inspired the 2001 remake. Specific searches include the general plot of a casino robbery and the memorable cast involved.
What reviewers are saying
One reviewer, having previously seen the remake, appreciated the original for the performances of the Rat Pack, finding their coolness and enjoyment infectious, and highly recommended it to fans of the newer version, particularly praising the film's ending.
Read the full reviewAnother reviewer, however, found the film to lack charm and clarity in its storytelling, feeling that the portrayals of the "cool" characters came across as mere superiority complexes, leading to a generally boring viewing experience.
Read the full reviewFrequently Asked Questions
Common questions about finding and identifying movies
You can stream "Ocean's Eleven" on [TCM](https://www.justwatch.com/us/movie/oceans-11), or for free with ads on [YouTube Free](https://www.justwatch.com/us/movie/oceans-11), [Tubi TV](https://www.justwatch.com/us/movie/oceans-11), [Hoopla](https://www.justwatch.com/us/movie/oceans-11), and [Fawesome](https://www.justwatch.com/us/movie/oceans-11). It is also available to rent or purchase on platforms like [Amazon Video](https://www.justwatch.com/us/movie/oceans-11) and [Apple TV](https://www.justwatch.com/us/movie/oceans-11).
No, "Ocean's Eleven" (1960) is not based on a true story. The film's screenplay was written by Harry Brown and Charles Lederer, based on a story by George Clayton Johnson and Jack Golden Russell. Peter Lawford bought the rights to the story in 1958 after hearing the premise from a filling station attendant.
After successfully robbing five Las Vegas casinos, the gang's electrician, Tony Bergdorf, dies of a heart attack. A reformed mobster, Duke Santos, who is engaged to Foster's mother, pieces together the heist after learning of Bergdorf's military record and Foster and Ocean's unexpected presence in Las Vegas. Duke confronts the thieves and demands half of their take. To avoid paying him, the gang hides the money in Bergdorf's coffin, planning to retrieve it after the coffin is shipped to San Francisco. However, Bergdorf's widow decides to have the funeral in Las Vegas, and the coffin and all the hidden cash are cremated.
"Ocean's Eleven" has a mixed critical reception, with some reviewers finding it entertaining for its Rat Pack cast and humorous moments, despite a contrived screenplay. The film holds a "rotten" rating of 47% on [Rotten Tomatoes](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ocean%27s_11), with critics noting it "coasts on the well-established rapport of the Rat Pack royalty." Many highlight the chemistry among stars like Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, and Sammy Davis Jr. as a key appeal.