The Great Bank Robbery 1969
In the dusty, sun-scorched heart of 1880s Texas, a hilariously mismatched gang of con artists posing as reverends plots to swindle a small-town bank run by a pair of shrewd, local brothers.
Director: Hy Averback
Cast
Zero Mostel
Rev. Pious Blue
Kim Novak
Sister Lyda Kebanov (forger)
Clint Walker
Ranger Ben Quick
Claude Akins
Slade
Akim Tamiroff
Papa (Juan's father)
Larry Storch
Juan
John Anderson
Mayor Kincaid
Sam Jaffe
Brother Lilac Bailey (art forger)
Mako
Secret Agent Fong
Elisha Cook Jr.
Jeb
Frequently Asked Questions
What is The Great Bank Robbery (1969) about?
This 1969 Western-comedy follows a motley crew of fraudulent preachers who hatch a daring plan to rob a Texas bank controlled by a pair of shrewd, tight-knit brothers. Fueled by greed and misguided ambitions, their heist spirals into a series of chaotic mishaps.
Who directed The Great Bank Robbery?
Hy Averback directed The Great Bank Robbery, bringing a sharp comedic sensibility to the Western genre.
Who stars in The Great Bank Robbery?
The film features Zero Mostel, Kim Novak, Clint Walker, Claude Akins, and Akim Tamiroff in a cast brimming with talent and comedic flair.
Is The Great Bank Robbery (1969) worth watching?
While not a mainstream classic, The Great Bank Robbery offers a refreshing mix of Western action and slapstick humor, especially for fans of Zero Mostel's larger-than-life performances. Its short runtime and offbeat premise make it a fun, if flawed, diversion.
How long is The Great Bank Robbery?
The Great Bank Robbery runs 98 minutes.
About The Great Bank Robbery (1969) — A Wild Western Comedy Heist with Zero Mostel
In the dusty, sun-scorched heart of 1880s Texas, a hilariously mismatched gang of con artists posing as reverends plots to swindle a small-town bank run by a pair of shrewd, local brothers. The Great Bank Robbery (1969), directed by Hy Averback, blends Western tropes with sharp comedic timing, turning a bank heist into a madcap adventure where every character is chasing a bigger score than the last. With Zero Mostel's larger-than-life energy leading the charge, the film balances chaotic humor against the backdrop of a lawless frontier, where greed and deception run as wild as the untamed land itself.
The ensemble cast, including Kim Novak radiating icy glamour, Clint Walker oozing rugged cowboy charm, and the always scene-stealing Claude Akins, elevates the material into a celebration of flawed heroes and over-the-top villains. Averback's direction ensures the humor lands with precision, making The Great Bank Robbery (1969) a standout in the Western-comedy genre—a film where the biggest theft might just be the audience's collective disbelief.
