The Anderson Tapes

This 1971 American crime thriller, directed by Sidney Lumet and written by Frank Pierson based on Lawrence Sanders' novel, follows John "Duke" Anderson (Sean Connery), a seasoned safecracker who, upon release from a ten-year prison sentence, devises an ambitious plan to rob an entire upscale apartment building in Manhattan where his former lover, Ingrid Everleigh (Dyan Cannon), resides. To execute the heist, Anderson secures funding from mob boss Pat Angelo (Alan King) and assembles a crew including his old friend and alcoholic "Pop" (Stan Gottlieb), electronics expert "The Kid" (Christopher Walken in his film debut), getaway driver Edward Spencer (Dick Anthony Williams), and antiques dealer Tommy Haskins (Martin Balsam). Unbeknownst to Anderson, various government agencies—including the FBI, IRS, and the Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs—as well as a private detective hired by Ingrid's jealous benefactor, are surveilling different aspects of his operation, each for their own reasons and without inter-agency communication. During the Labor Day weekend heist, the crew, disguised as movers, disables security systems and begins looting apartments. However, a young paraplegic resident, Jerry Bingham (Scott Jacoby), uses his radio equipment to alert authorities. The police respond swiftly, leading to a shootout in which Anderson kills the unstable crew member "Socks" Parelli (Val Avery), imposed by the mob, but is himself fatally shot. The remaining gang members are either killed or apprehended. "Pop" surrenders, taking full responsibility, and willingly returns to prison, where he feels more at home. Subsequently, all agencies involved in the unauthorized surveillance destroy their recordings to avoid legal repercussions. The film stands out for its critique of pervasive surveillance and marks the cinematic debut of Christopher Walken.