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Bandits [DVD] [2001]

Bruce Willis (Actor), Billy Bob Thornton (Actor), Barry Levinson (Director) | Format: DVD
3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (17 customer reviews)

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Product details

  • Actors: Bruce Willis, Billy Bob Thornton, Cate Blanchett, Troy Garity, Brian F. O'Byrne
  • Directors: Barry Levinson
  • Format: PAL
  • Region: Region 2 (This DVD may not be viewable outside Europe. Read more about DVD formats.)
  • Number of discs: 1
  • Classification: PG-13 (Parental Guidance Suggested) (US MPAA rating. See details.)
  • Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (17 customer reviews)
  • ASIN: B000065G7C
  • Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 394,607 in Film & TV (See Top 100 in Film & TV)

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Reviews

From Amazon.co.uk

Director Barry Levinson's eclectic film career has always been distinguished by quality scriptwriting, and Bandits is no exception, thanks to Harley Peyton's clever contribution. At the heart of the story is the onscreen chemistry between Bruce Willis and Billy Bob Thornton, who, as the most successful bank robbers in US history, win the affections of the nation. The story is told via various flashback methods, such as the narration of a newscaster who gets an exclusive interview, while a framing device teases the audience with what the end will be at the start. But all is not as it seems. The impulsive hothead Willis falls easily for fiery redhead and frustrated housewife Cate Blanchett. The attraction is perfectly mutual until she realises the sweet appeal of hypochondriac Thornton. The resulting love triangle may not immediately seem to add up, especially as the romantic focus really ought to be on Willis' goofy cousin Harvey (a sensational Troy Garity) who dreams of being a stuntman. Originally Bandits was meant to be an adaptation of Elmore Leonard's novel, but here the tone is significantly lightened and the "Sleepover Bandits" are far more sympathetic characters than the likes of George Clooney's thief in Out of Sight. There's a kicker of a feel-good finale, too.

On the DVD: Bandits on disc has an alternative and even sweeter ending, complete with commentary from Blanchett entitled "Who's the Dad?". It's one of five deleted scenes that were presumably only cut for running time. Other extras include a "Script to Screen" workshop with Levinson, an ad for the soundtrack album and a 20-minute documentary. The real find, though, is a commentary from Willis, Thornton, Blanchett, Garity, Producer Paula Weinstein and Peyton. They may not all be in the same room, but the apportioning of anecdotes fits perfectly.--Paul Tonks

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews
11 of 12 people found the following review helpful
3.0 out of 5 stars LOVE WILL KEEP US TOGETHER... 11 Nov 2002
By Lawyeraau HALL OF FAME TOP 500 REVIEWER
Format:VHS Tape
This is an entertaining and quirky action comedy with a dark side in which two convicts, the cooly impulsive Joe (Bruce Willis) and the neurotic, hypochondiac, Terry (Billy Bob Thornton), break out of prison. Needing money to make their getaway complete, they return to doing that which they know best, bank robbing, while dreaming of getting enough money to open a nightclub in Mexico. Along the way, they pick up Harvey (Troy Garrity), a would be stuntman and Joe's relative, as their getway driver. They rob banks without physically harming their victims and have devised a creative way of going about the bank robberies that causes them to be dubbed the "Sleepover Bandits" by the media.

During their successful crime spree, they separate at one point. One of them ends up comandeering the car that Kate (Cate Blanchett), a bored and neglected housewife, is in, driving off with her to their rendevous point. Kate takes to this like a duck takes to water. Before you know it, she is hot and heavy with Joe. Then she is left for a time with Terry, and, before you know it, she is hot and heavy with Terry. An unusual love triangle is born. Kate also joins them in their quest for cash, as a willing participant. Just when it seems that the end is near, however, and all is lost, a twist in the turn the film takes, will take the viewer by surprise.

Bruce Willis and Billy Bob Thornton are excellent in their respective roles. Willis is the epitome of cool under fire and totally laidback, while Thornton is wired up and almost in Rainman mode. Cate Blanchett does her best with her role, giving it her all. While her American accent is good, however, she seems a bit like a fish out of water. She is simply not ditzy enough for the role, as too much of her innate intelligence shines through. This is not her fault.... Read more ›

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13 of 15 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars You'll cringe, you'll crack up, you'll come back for more 29 April 2002
By A Customer
Format:DVD
The acting was (as expected) very convincing and the characters were well drawn and true-to-life... maybe not yours or mine, but someone's. The film's combination of action, story, and comedy, with just a few smidges of sappy romance place it solidly in good company. It follows two bank robbers - the "Sleepover Bandits" - and their strange successes. Spliced with scenes from a "blow out" ending and seasoned with almost documentary-style narration, the flow of the film keeps you enthralled. It sucks you in, makes you wince, cracks you up and then leaves you very satisfied at the end.
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12 of 14 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars Really quite spankingly good. 26 May 2002
By A Customer
Format:DVD
To begin with, this is a very good film. It succeeds mainly because it is continually excellent. It is incredibly funny, stars Billy Bob Thornton and Bruce Willis (who are both excellent), has a great soundtrack, is cleverly narrated and has one of the finest endings I have seen all year. Click on the buy button now!!!
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6 of 8 people found the following review helpful
4.0 out of 5 stars beavers and ducks 1 Nov 2002
By A Customer
Format:VHS Tape
it's a great film, billy bob thornton is hilarious with his neurotic random comments throughout and cate blanchett is surprisingly convincing as a screwed up housewife. I'm not a huge fan of bruce willis but he's really rather good.
It's one of the few films that made me laugh out loud with its off beat humour. Really recommend it.
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3 of 4 people found the following review helpful
3.0 out of 5 stars worth watching 1 May 2007
By Baranfuiniel
Format:DVD
The double act of Willis and Thornton is a joy to watch, but Cate Blanchett is completely miscast, being too serious and intense an actor to do ditzy. The story meanders in the middle with the love triangle and I got bored enough to almost give up. Speaking as a woman, it's not really believeable that she would fall for both of them [or even one!]. Also unbelievable that no-one spotted the bandits before if they were so famous. But then the big scam at the end is wonderfully done, and I was fooled, so definitely worth watching.
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3 of 4 people found the following review helpful
4.0 out of 5 stars Surprisingly good 11 Jun 2003
By Footloose
Format:DVD
Firstly let me just say that by the title I do not mean I thought it was going to be a bad movie, but I wasn't expecting too much from it either. However, I am delighted to say that I really was entertained by this.

The leads were very good, although I felt that the whole loving 2 guys thing was a little too much. But the story was well written with some excellent lines from all characters.

The ending was also very well done, with my wife and I actually voicing "oh yes! Forgot about that. Very clever!" on a couple of occasions.

This is not an action movie, but I wasn't expecting it to be either. As a comedy it was well done, with no real "laugh out loud" over and over again jokes but whenever the comedy was reached it was cleverly done.

I'd recommend this to anyone seeking an entertaining movie.

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5.0 out of 5 stars Great 18 Feb 2013
By peter macnab
Format:DVD|Amazon Verified Purchase
Reading the reviews I noticed that a few described this as surprisingly good. Having just watched it, I wholeheartedly agree. To say why would be a spoiler. Great stuff.
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5.0 out of 5 stars I love this film! 15 Feb 2013
By Prof Zebedee
Format:DVD
I really do love this film! Bruce Willis is one of the highest paid actors for a very good reason - he can act in many different ways. And here he is joined by the splendid Billy Bob Thornton and a very funny Cate Blanchett. Because it's a screwball comedy kind of film, sort of.

Actually based on a true story, the so-called "Sleepover Bandits" were escaped convicts. They gained notoriety by visiting bank managers at their homes, taking their families hostage, then calmly and peacefully taking the bank manager to work early the next morning to empty the safe. Portrayed in the film as rather dim characters, they wore a range of disguises when conducting the raids - which gives Willis, Thornton and Blanchett scope for some very amusing bad costumes and hilarious dialogue. This is juxtaposed against their characters' inability to agree on plans of action and strong preponderance toward violence. Very well written and nicely paced throughout. Beautiful use of colours and angles by the excellent partnership of director Barry Levinson and his director of photography Dante Spinotti - this film looks superb. Hurrah!
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars Bandits
I had this film indoors for ages and was never drawn to watch it as I thought it would be the usual shooting and swearing but after reading the 5 star reviews on here, I thought... Read more
Published 11 months ago by Susan Trickey
4.0 out of 5 stars Far from great, but still entertaining
This movie is an action comedy. it has both action and comedy so what more do you want except for bruce willis, billy bob thornton and cate blanchett. Read more
Published on 18 April 2011 by ekb
5.0 out of 5 stars Brilliant
I've seen this film half a dozen times and I'm still not sick of it! The actors are amazing, but so is the storyline and the script! Read more
Published on 31 Aug 2010 by C. Quinn
3.0 out of 5 stars These are no real bank robbers. Are they clowns?
That's not a film that will revolutionize the cinema industry and cinematographic art. Easy going remake of so many teams of famous bankrobbers or other thieves. Read more
Published on 7 Nov 2006 by Jacques COULARDEAU
1.0 out of 5 stars What's going on?
This is the most random film I have ever seen. I didn't have a clue what was going on. Buy a good film instead of this rubbish.
Published on 31 Oct 2003 by M. Clark
1.0 out of 5 stars what?
I saw this film with a group of friends. I don't know if we missed something special or just talked through it but we all found it pretty dull. Read more
Published on 19 Jun 2003
5.0 out of 5 stars A surprisingly good film.
Bandits is a hugely enjoyable and well-paced action comedy.

Bruce Willis is his usual laconic self, Billy-Bob Thornton is very amusing as the hypercondriac sidekick to Willis and... Read more

Published on 16 Feb 2003 by Jamese_uk
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