Ocean’s Eleven Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

Eleven guys use their WWII skills to throw the biggest, most expensive New Year’s Eve party Vegas has ever seen, but forget to RSVP their wallets.

🍿 Ocean’s Eleven: Detailed Plot Synopsis

The Plan Takes Shape

World War II veterans Danny Ocean and Jimmy Foster gather a team of their former army buddies with a daring plan: to rob five of Las Vegas’s biggest casinos on New Year’s Eve. They aim to simultaneously hit the Sahara, Riviera, Desert Inn, Sands, and Flamingo, requiring meticulous planning and precise execution. Each member brings unique skills to the table, reminiscent of their wartime camaraderie.

Setting the Stage in Vegas

The team members strategically infiltrate the casinos, taking on various roles. Josh Howard secures a job driving a garbage truck, essential for their getaway plan. Others work to scout the casinos’ layouts, security systems, and vulnerabilities. Sam Harmon provides entertainment in one of the hotel lounges, acting as an inside man while gathering crucial information.

The Heist

At the stroke of midnight on New Year’s Eve, the team executes their plan. They detonate explosives at an electrical transmission tower, plunging Las Vegas into darkness. Simultaneously, their pre-arranged alterations to the casinos’ backup electrical systems cause the cashier cages to open instead of powering the emergency lights. The team members quickly seize the opportunity, collecting bags of money and depositing them in garbage bins before blending back into the celebrating crowds.

Unexpected Complications

Despite the apparent success of the heist, complications arise swiftly. Tony Bergdorf, the team’s crucial electrician, suffers a fatal heart attack on the Las Vegas Strip shortly after the robbery. This event draws unwanted attention from the authorities and raises suspicion about a possible connection to the casino heists. Further complicating matters, Duke Santos, the soon-to-be stepfather of Jimmy Foster, is hired to investigate and recover the stolen money.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Danny Ocean (Frank Sinatra): A World War II veteran who masterminds a plan to rob five Las Vegas casinos simultaneously.
• Jimmy Foster (Peter Lawford): Danny Ocean’s friend and accomplice who helps recruit the team and execute the heist.
• Sam Harmon (Dean Martin): A lounge singer and member of the team who uses his position to aid in the heist.
• Josh Howard (Sammy Davis Jr.): A garbage truck driver and member of the team, responsible for collecting the stolen money.
• Anthony Bergdorf (Richard Conte): The team’s electrician who is crucial to disabling the casinos’ power and security systems.
• Duke Santos (Cesar Romero): A reformed gangster and Jimmy Foster’s soon-to-be stepfather who investigates the heist.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Danny Ocean: “Hello, this is a recording. You’ve dialed the right number; now hang up and don’t do it again.” – Danny’s initial phone greeting, setting a tone of cool detachment and sly humor.
• Sam Harmon: “Ain’t that a kick in the head.” – A signature song and catchphrase for Dean Martin, expressing surprise or disbelief with a touch of humor.
• Duke Santos: “They shouldn’t have done it while I was in town. It’s embarrassing!” – Duke’s sardonic remark upon learning of the heist, highlighting his sense of personal affront and professional pride.
• Josh Howard: “E-O-Eleven!” – Sammy Davis Jr.’s energetic musical number that encapsulates the spirit of the heist.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $2,800,000
• Domestic Gross: $12,500,000
• Worldwide Gross: None

💥 Ocean’s Eleven Reviews

Personal Review

Okay, so Ocean’s Eleven isn’t the most action-packed heist movie ever, but it’s just so darn charming! Watching Frank, Dean, and Sammy riff off each other is pure joy. That twist ending caught me completely off guard, and I couldn’t help but laugh. I loved the scene when Sammy Davis Jr. sings ‘E-O Eleven’ while casually driving a garbage truck, just such a fun movie!

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of classic heist movies”
  • “Admirers of the Rat Pack (Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Sammy Davis Jr.)”
  • “Viewers interested in vintage Las Vegas settings”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Mild violence”
  • “Suggestive themes”
  • “Smoking and alcohol use”

Professional Reviews

• Variety: “Ocean’s Eleven coasts on the Rat Pack’s charisma, but the plot feels like a long setup for a punchline that never quite lands. The Vegas scenery is dazzling, but the heist itself is surprisingly anticlimactic.
• The New York Times: “Sinatra and his crew are undeniably cool, but this heist flick is more style than substance. The leisurely pace and thin plot may leave modern viewers wanting more thrills.

Audience Reactions

The Rat Pack’s chemistry made this movie unforgettable.: Everyone agrees the cast’s camaraderie is the highlight, showcasing a bygone era of cool.

Overall Consensus: A classic for its cast and style, but may feel slow and underwhelming to modern viewers expecting a high-octane heist.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “The film was shot on location in Las Vegas, with the Sands Hotel serving as a primary filming location, capitalizing on Frank Sinatra’s performance residency there.”
• “Several portions of the movie were improvised on set by the actors playing the leading roles.”
• “The term “guest stars” is used in the opening credits for George Raft and Red Skelton, which was a common practice in 1960s films instead of “special appearance” or “featuring.””
• “Sammy Davis Jr. faced racial segregation in Las Vegas during filming, initially being restricted to “colored only” hotels until Frank Sinatra intervened on his behalf, breaking the color barrier.”

🖥️ How to Watch Ocean’s Eleven?

Ocean’s Eleven (1960) is available for purchase or rental on platforms like Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, and Vudu. Check your local listings for possible broadcast options. While it’s not typically available on subscription-based streaming services, keep an eye out as availability can change.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Ocean’s Eleven, you might like these similar films:

• Rififi (1955): A meticulously planned heist film known for its suspenseful and realistic depiction of a robbery, serving as a foundational work in the genre.
• The Lavender Hill Mob (1951): A British comedy about a meek bank clerk who enlists the help of a souvenir maker to steal gold bullion, sharing a lighter, more whimsical take on the heist theme.
• The Italian Job (1969): Features a group of criminals planning an audacious gold heist in Italy, known for its exciting car chases and ensemble cast.
• Ocean’s Eleven (2001): A modern remake of the original film with a new all-star cast, offering a more fast-paced and stylish take on the same basic plot.

🛒 Ocean’s Eleven Related Products

• Ocean’s Eleven: The Rat Pack Edition [Blu-ray]: Digitally remastered Blu-ray edition featuring bonus content, including commentary and behind-the-scenes footage of the legendary Rat Pack.
• Rat Pack – Live at the Sands [CD]: Relive the magic of the Rat Pack with this live recording from their legendary performances at the Sands Hotel, featuring many popular songs from the movie.
• Ocean’s Eleven: Las Vegas Casino Playing Card Set: A limited edition deck of playing cards featuring imagery from the movie and iconic Las Vegas casinos, housed in a premium collector’s box.
• Frank Sinatra: The Reprise Years [Vinyl]: A deluxe vinyl box set featuring Frank Sinatra’s best recordings from his Reprise Records era, showcasing his incredible vocal talent and artistry.

🎧 Soundtrack

Ocean’s Eleven features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Ain’t That a Kick in the Head” – performed by Dean Martin
• “E-O Eleven” – performed by Sammy Davis Jr.

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Ocean’s 11: Brad Pitt PRANKS George Clooney Mid-Interview! (Flashback)

Ever wondered what it was like on the set of Ocean’s Eleven? Check out this hilarious clip where Brad Pitt pranks George Clooney during an interview! Their chemistry is just as good off-screen, maybe even better!

Did you know that in OCEAN’S ELEVEN…

Did you notice Brad Pitt always snacking in Ocean’s Eleven? Turns out, there’s a funny reason behind it! It’s a cool little detail that makes his character even more memorable.

Ocean’s 11 going Against Scooby-Doo on Opening day, Untold Stories by Matt Damon #shorts #film

Matt Damon tells a quick story about the opening day competition. You won’t believe what kids movie it went up against! Check it out!

Ocean’s 11 – All of Danny Ocean and Rusty Ryan’s banter

Want a quick dose of Ocean’s Eleven charm? This supercut compiles all the best banter between Danny Ocean and Rusty Ryan! It’s like a friendship goals highlight reel and a really fun watch if you love this movie!

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