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The Art of the Steal

Play trailer Poster for The Art of the Steal 2010 1h 41m Documentary Play Trailer Watchlist
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85% Tomatometer 62 Reviews 87% Popcornmeter 1,000+ Ratings
This film looks at the controversy surrounding the art collection of Dr. Albert C. Barnes, a millionaire who amassed a remarkable selection of significant works during the early 20th century. Barnes sought to keep his priceless pieces together as part of his foundation even after his death, but the involvement of numerous parties led to the scattering of his collection. This documentary sheds light on how his wishes were violated by a handful of opportunistic individuals.

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The Art of the Steal

The Art of the Steal

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Critics Consensus

Deeply esoteric and unapologetically one-sided, The Art of the Steal proves a documentary doesn't have to make an objective argument as long as it argues well.

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Critics Reviews

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David Zuckerman Film Comment Magazine 09/24/2014
[Don] Argott has made a worthwhile contribution to a controversy that deserves an audience. Go to Full Review Cliff Doerksen Chicago Reader 01/03/2011
Argott beautifully explicates how this crew pulled off the most daring daylight art theft in history, though his passionate identification with the pro-Barnes faction limits the movie's political nuance. Go to Full Review Peter Rainer Christian Science Monitor 04/16/2010
B+
The film's good versus bad scenario is, while understandable, too simplistic. Go to Full Review Brian Eggert Deep Focus Review 08/22/2023
3.5/4
Albeit the presentation of a one-sided argument, The Art of the Steal is nonetheless a captivating tale about the flexibility of the law when money is involved. Go to Full Review Rene Jordan El Nuevo Herald (Miami) 08/08/2022
The documentary is fascinating because… it focuses on art at the elite level. [Full review in Spanish] Go to Full Review Dennis Schwartz Dennis Schwartz Movie Reviews 06/08/2013
B+
A fascinating good guy vs. bad guy art film about the big business of culture, that puts it on the same footing as big corporations. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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11/30/2014 The filmmakers are only interested in exploring their own opinion, but the documentary is fascinating nonetheless. See more 08/23/2014 Incredibly insightful movie about charities, trusts, and the art world . See more 06/08/2014 What it comes down to is a subjective medium and whether the owner's original wishes should be withheld. I don't give a crap either way, but I would lean towards upholding the original will of Barnes, just because that's a legally binding indenture. But I can't lose any sleep over some pictures painted by mostly syphilitic douchebags being available for even wider public consumption. But it is also obvious the way in which this move went down was done by typical (and also mostly venereal-diseased) politicians was morally wrong. Basically, I walk away from this documentary hating everybody involved, all around. See more 06/05/2014 Fascinating portrait of a wealthy man who had a very good eye for art, and the way his priceless paintings came into the clutches of the City of Philadelphia See more 04/08/2014 A fascinating documentary about how The Beast steals anything it wants - including private art collections. See more 01/27/2014 Well done and very informative documentary about the Barnes Foundation. The filmmakers are one-sided in their approach and seem blind to the hypocrisy of their their thesis but they have nevertheless made a compelling narrative. See more Read all reviews
The Art of the Steal

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Cast & Crew

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Don Argott

Director

Lenny Feinberg

Executive Producer

Sheena M. Joyce

Producer

West Thordson

Original Music

Don Argott

Cinematographer

Demian Fenton

Film Editing

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The Art of the Steal

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Movie Info

Synopsis This film looks at the controversy surrounding the art collection of Dr. Albert C. Barnes, a millionaire who amassed a remarkable selection of significant works during the early 20th century. Barnes sought to keep his priceless pieces together as part of his foundation even after his death, but the involvement of numerous parties led to the scattering of his collection. This documentary sheds light on how his wishes were violated by a handful of opportunistic individuals.
Director
Don Argott
Producer
Sheena M. Joyce
Distributor
IFC Films
Production Co
9.14 Pictures
Genre
Documentary
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Feb 26, 2010, Limited
Release Date (Streaming)
Mar 24, 2016
Box Office (Gross USA)
$541.0K
Runtime
1h 41m
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