The Million Dollar Rip-Off

This movie is typical of the made for TV movies produced back in the 1970's. The film quality is OK and the acting is methodical in places. It is the first (and only, unfortunately) role for Freddie Prinze that allows us to see him outside of his more generally well know genre of comedy. His performance has a lot of unrealized potential as a dramatic actor. Prinze had commented after this movie was made that he was disappointed in the movie. The critics of the day didn't think much of it either, so I went into this movie not expecting much. But I was pleasantly surprised that the plot was not as predictable as one might have thought. I found myself on the edge of my seat wondering whether the criminals would get away with the heist. And there were a few surprise plot twists in the movie. The most disappointing part of the movie was the acting of the actresses playing Muff Kovack's gang. Even though this movie might not rate high, Prinze's performance will make this a must for collectors of his work, especially since there isn't much of it due to his untimely death.