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Topkapi is the name of a village in Turkey - but it's also a 1964 comedy starring Peter Ustinov. Ustinov plays a charming con artist living in Turkey, who suddenly finds himself caught between the police investigators and a gang of jewel thieves planning to steal a rare artifact. It's part of a wave of heist films using "exotic" foreign locations to create glamour and excitement. In fact, United Artists released "Topkapi" within one year of "The Pink Panther."

Ustinov won an Oscar for his portrayal of the bumbling schemer. As humble Arthur Simpson, he finds it hard to resist the charms of Melina Mercouri, the blonde jewel thief spearheading the daring robbery. The improbable crime involves "the Topkapi emeralds," four jewels on the dagger of a sultan figurine that's displayed in a glass case in the museum. It's only at a crucial moment in the robbery - which includes repelling down a rope - that Ustinov's character reveals that he's terrified of heights. "It's not a question of losing my nerve," he explains apologetically. "I never HAD nerve!"

But he's won over by the spirit of the sophisticated crew of jewel thieves. Melina Mercouri had been nominated for an Oscar for her zesty role in "Never on Sunday." One of her classy co-conspirators is played by Maximillian Schell, and they're receiving expert advice from the pompous Robert Morley. Ustinov's character is supposed to inform the police about the actions of the criminal gang - but as the plot progresses, it seems more likely that he'll join them!

Director Jules Dassin takes advantage of the location. There's lots of footage of the rooftops of Turkey, and at one point the movie simply switches to footage of the famous Turkish wrestling matches. Turkey had experienced a military coup just a few years before, so the secret police that detain Ustinov's character have a genuine menace. But the sunny exterior shots during the heist make it seem more like a vacation.

The movie is over two hours long, but it's saved by a breezy and impulsive tone. Even the movie's final scene ends on a playful note. Melina Mercouri informs her partners in crime that she knows of a secret staircase in the Kremlin. They're last seen with their arms linked, parading joyfully through the snow on their way to steal the Romanov jewels!

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