The new film, Peaky Blinders: The Immortal Man, has sparked renewed interest in classic movies, particularly those from the 1960s. That decade was defined by iconic, tough-guy actors like Michael Caine, Lee Marvin, and Steve McQueen, who brought a distinctive style to crime films. Even today, after 60 years, filmmakers continue to draw inspiration from that era, whether through remakes or clear nods to 1960s cinema.
Crime stories have always been popular in movies, covering everything from the world of criminals to the police who chase them. The 1960s brought a special style to the genre, creating films that were so successful they launched entire series. If you enjoy shows like Peaky Blinders, you’ll be interested to know that many classic crime films are currently available to stream.
The Dirty Dozen is a Heist Flick Masquerading as a War Movie
The movie The Dirty Dozen centers on Major Reisman, who is tasked with assembling a team for a dangerous, secret operation. He must recruit twelve convicted murderers from death row and, despite their difficult personalities, train them to become a disciplined fighting unit. Throughout the process, Reisman and his crew develop a mutual respect for one another as they prepare for their crucial mission.
The film The Dirty Dozen really brought the ‘suicide squad’ idea to life in action movies, blending the fast pace of a heist film with the setting of World War II. Lee Marvin’s character, Reisman, evolved his usual tough-guy persona into a mentor figure, much like we see in recent films such as Top Gun: Maverick. Fans of Peaky Blinders might even imagine Operation Amnesty as a possible next step for some of those characters.
The Thomas Crown Affair Breathes Romance into the Heist Genre
The movie The Thomas Crown Affair centers around Thomas Crown, a wealthy, self-made man who turns to crime simply because he’s bored with his luxurious lifestyle. After a bold daytime heist orchestrated by Crown and his team, investigator Vicki Anderson is assigned to track down the stolen money. As she suspects Crown, a playful and clever game of cat and mouse begins between them, leaving audiences wondering if she’ll ultimately bring him to justice.
While Pierce Brosnan’s take is enjoyable, the original Steve McQueen version of this film feels even more relevant now. It’s not a typical police story; instead, it beautifully blends crime with romance, and the connection between McQueen and Faye Dunaway is electric. The complex relationships depicted in the film are similar to those in Peaky Blinders, making the two a great pairing.
Le Samourai is a French Noir Masterpiece
The film Le Samourai centers on Jef Costello, a highly skilled but detached French hitman, whose latest assignment is compromised when someone sees him. With both the police and his employers now hunting him to silence him, Jef returns to his apartment. Facing a grim situation, his attempts to evade capture gradually transform into a deeper struggle.
Jean-Pierre Melville’s Le Samourai perfectly captures the spirit of the neo-Noir movement. It’s a thoughtful exploration of a criminal’s life, much like the character arc of Tommy Shelby in Peaky Blinders. Similar to Cillian Murphy’s portrayal, the character of Costello was one of the first examples of a ‘killer with a code,’ influencing similar characters in films for years to come.
The Killers Helped Break Down Barriers of the ’60s
The movie The Killers centers around two hitmen, Charlie and Lee, who are surprised when the man they’re hired to kill doesn’t seem to care. Intrigued, Charlie starts investigating the job, hoping to understand why and potentially earn more money. He discovers the target was involved in a heist, which puts him and his partner on a collision course with a dangerous crime boss.
Before Ronald Reagan became a politician, he starred in The Killers, a gritty and stylish neo-Noir film that was ahead of its time. This movie introduced audiences to a compelling, tough antihero – similar to characters like Tommy Shelby – and perfectly captures the feel of 1960s America. Its unique style clearly inspired filmmakers like Quentin Tarantino.
In the Heat of the Night is a Whodunit With a Message
The film In the Heat of the Night is set in Sparta, Mississippi, and begins with the murder of a prominent businessman. Virgil Tibbs, a Black man passing through town, immediately becomes the prime suspect. However, when the local police chief discovers Tibbs is actually a detective, he’s compelled to examine his own biases and reluctantly partners with him to solve the case.
The film In the Heat of the Night wasn’t just a mystery; it powerfully reflected the racial issues of the 1960s. Similarly, while the settings and stories are quite different, watching Peaky Blinders: The Immortal Man and its depiction of growing fascism inevitably brings to mind the challenges faced by the character Tibbs.
Seconds is a Masterclass in Tense Paranoia
Seconds tells the story of Tony Wilson, a frustrated banker who feels stuck in a rut. His life changes when a friend involves him in a strange company that forces people to start over by blackmailing them and giving them new identities – complete with cosmetic surgery. To fully embrace this new life, Tony must pretend to die, leaving him lost and questioning everything.
The 1960s saw a lot of creative experimentation in thriller films, and Seconds is a standout example. It’s a powerfully unsettling film that mixes the anxieties of the Cold War with a claustrophobic story about being controlled and losing your sense of self. If you enjoyed how death and rebirth were used with the character Tommy Shelby in Peaky Blinders, you’ll find this tense sci-fi crime story to be a significant improvement over The Immortal Man.
Ocean’s Eleven Changed the Heist Genre Forever
Long before the 2001 remake, Ocean’s Eleven centers around Danny Ocean and Jimmy Foster, two World War II veterans. Driven by a desire for wealth, they gather their former war buddies and attempt a daring heist, targeting all five of Las Vegas’s major casinos at the same time. This plan is even bolder than the one seen in the later film, and predictably, things quickly begin to unravel for Ocean’s crew.
You can currently watch the original Ocean’s Eleven for free on Hoopla. It brought together the legendary Rat Pack – Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Sammy Davis Jr., and Angie Dickinson – for a truly memorable heist film. Alongside shows like Peaky Blinders: The Immortal Man, it’s a fantastic example of classic crime cinema and had a big impact on the heist genre for years to come.
Point Blank is the Ultimate Tough Guy Revenge Flick
In Point Blank, Lee Marvin plays Walker, a criminal double-crossed and left for dead after a major heist. Driven by a desire to reclaim his share of the stolen money, he relentlessly pursues the man who betrayed him. Even when he discovers the money was used to pay off a dangerous criminal organization, Walker won’t stop until he gets what he’s owed, resorting to violence along the way.
As a big fan of gritty crime stories, I think Point Blank is seriously one of the best ‘tough guy’ movies ever made. It really feels like a predecessor to shows like Peaky Blinders, with that same dark, intense vibe and memorable characters. Honestly, I think it pretty much defined the cool, unstoppable criminal, and you can totally see its influence on characters like Tommy and Duke Shelby. It takes that whole ‘it’s just business’ attitude to the absolute limit, and so many crime movies and shows since then have clearly taken inspiration from it.
The Italian Job is a Stylish Patriotic Caper
The movie The Italian Job centers around Charlie Croker, a London criminal, who plans a daring gold heist in Italy after getting out of prison. An imprisoned gang leader finds out about the plan and forces his way into the operation, taking charge and assembling a team of expert drivers and thieves. Together, they attempt to carry out an incredibly ambitious robbery.
The Italian Job is a stylish film that openly embraces classic heist tropes – thrilling car chases, lovable criminals with a nationalistic streak, and a glimpse into Britain’s criminal underworld. It shares a lot of similarities with shows like Peaky Blinders, particularly in the contrast between its working-class thief, played by Michael Caine, and the sophisticated criminals seen elsewhere, as well as the focus on a large, ambitious robbery.
Bullitt Glorified the Cool Detective Trope
I’m a huge fan of Bullitt, and it’s a really gripping story! It centers around Frank Bullitt, a San Francisco detective, when a witness he’s protecting is suddenly killed, seemingly by the mob. But as he digs deeper, Bullitt starts to suspect there’s more to it than meets the eye, and soon he’s being targeted by the Mafia! He realizes there’s likely a criminal both the police and the mob are after who’s still out there. Once the plot kicks in, it’s just a relentless thrill ride, and honestly, the way it’s all put together is what makes it a true classic.
Often credited with inspiring countless crime films – including classics like The French Connection and Dirty Harry – Bullitt remains Steve McQueen’s most iconic action role. Though his character operates outside the law, much like Tommy Shelby, Bullitt captures a similar sense of cool and sophistication. For fans of action-packed detective movies, this 1960s thriller is a timeless masterpiece, currently available to stream on The Criterion Channel and Hoopla.
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2026-03-26 02:09