The Great St. Louis Robbery (DVD)

Young Steve McQueen takes on his second starring role (following 1958's The Blob) in this re-enactment of one of America's most famous heists - shot on location and recreated with the actual officers of the St. Louis Police Department.

Seeing "The Gateway to the West" as their gateway to riches, three professional criminals and first-timer George arrive in St. Louis to plunder the Southwest Bank. Their plan involves split-second timing and many dry runs, but there is also increasing tension between the small band of desperate men as it becomes apparent that heist mastermind Egan's distrust of women has deepened into madness. The plan goes terribly awry when a basement switchboard operator alerts the police, dashing the gang's hopes for a quick getaway. Guns blaze and bullets fly in an explosive orgy of blood, sweat, tear gas and violent death! - Tom Weaver

• drama