Directed by and starring George Clooney, based on the book by Robert M. Edsel, The Monuments Men (2014) tells the true story of a group of art aficionados charged with rescuing art masterpieces from the Nazis during World War II. The real names of the participants were changed. In real life, the group was led by George Stout, a conservator at Harvard University's Fogg Museum, who later went on to become director of the Worcester Art Museum and the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum. The cast is thoroughly wonderful, including George Clooney, Matt Damon, John Goodman, Bill Murray, Cate Blanchett, Jean Dujardin and Bob Balaban.
The Maiden Heist (2009) should've been a hit movie, but wasn't. In late 2007, I was involved with some of the behind-the-scenes stuff on the film shot at the Worcester Art Museum (which then had the working title The Lonely Maiden). It was the general consensus amongst those working on the production that it would be a big hit upon it's release. How could it not? Three of the four leads were Oscar winners (Morgan Freeman, Christopher Walken, Marcia Gay Harden). The filming went smoothly, the actors did their jobs well. But just after the production wrapped, all hell broke loose when the Film's distributor, Yari Film Group, went bankrupt. There was a hope that a new company would come along in time, but no dice. The film was released late, to an extremely limited market, and went almost straight to DVD in late 2009, two years after filming ended. Nevertheless, The Maiden Heist is still a good film... a comedy caper with a good heart. It's certainly under watched and under appreciated, but it is always well received when it is shown. The plot concerns Roger (Christopher Walken), Charles (Morgan Freeman) and George (William H. Macy), who are security guards at an Art Museum in Boston. Each has fallen in love and grown fixated on different work of art in the collection… when they find out their beloved pieces are being moved to another Museum, they plot to steal them.
Directed by Rebecca Dreyfus, Stolen (2005) is a documentary that focuses on the March 18, 1990 heist at Boston's Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum… during which two thieves, disguised as Boston police officers, gained access to the museum and stole 13 valuable works of art. In remains the largest property theft in history. In addition to describing the robbery, the film focuses on the efforts of detective Harold Smith and others, whose obsession with finding the stolen masterworks is contagious.
The Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum- Boston, MA
The 13 Stolen Artworks:
Vermeer, The Concert, 1658–1660
Rembrandt, Self-Portrait, ca. 1634.
Rembrandt, The Storm on the Sea of Galilee, 1633.
Rembrandt, A Lady and Gentleman in Black, 1633.
Govaert Flinck, Landscape with an Obelisk, 1638.
Degas, La Sortie de Pesage.
Degas, Program for an artistic soiree, 1884.
Degas, Program for an artistic soiree, 1884.
Degas, Three Mounted Jockeys.
Degas, Cortege aux Environs de Florence.
Chinese bronze beaker or Ku, Chinese, Shang Dynasty, 1200–1100 B.C.
Finial in the form of an eagle, gilt metal (bronze), French, 1813–1814
Co-written and directed by David O. Russell, American Hustle (2013) started receiving accolades, fanfare and critical success even before it was released. The story is loosely based on the FBI ABSCAM operation of the late 1970's. A few scenes were filmed at the picturesque Worcester Art Museum, with Rembrandt's "Saint Bartholomew", the European Galleries and the Renaissance Court nicely featured. Top-notch acting runs from start to finish. Christian Bale and Bradley Cooper are excellent as the male leads. Jennifer Lawrence and Amy Adams, both clad in sexy form-fitting open front dresses in 1970's fashion, are radiant and exceptional in their respective roles. The supporting cast is great as well, including Jeremy Renner, Louis C.K. and Robert De Niro.
Christian Bale, Bradley Cooper, Amy Adams
Christian Bale and Amy Adams
Jennifer Lawrence
Jennifer Lawrence
Jennifer Lawrence
Jennifer Lawrence
Christian Bale and Bradley Cooper at Worcester Art Museum
Saint Bartholomew. by Rembrandt van Rijn
Christian Bale and Bradley Cooper at Worcester Art Museum
Amy Adams
Jennifer Lawrence and Christian Bale
Jennifer Lawrence and Amy Adams
Jennifer Lawrence
Jennifer Lawrence
filming "American Hustle" at the Worcester Art Museum
