Silver Bears

Silver Bears is a crime-comedy film directed by Ivan Passer and based on the novel of the same name by Paul Erdman. The film was released in 1977 and stars an impressive cast of actors, including Michael Caine, Cybill Shepherd, and Louis Jourdan.

The film opens with an introduction to a group of rich businessmen who are looking for ways to invest their money. One of them, Colonel Patterson (played by Joss Ackland), suggests investing in silver. However, the group is hesitant to invest in something that they are not familiar with, so they decide to put someone in charge of the whole thing.

Enter Henry Foreman (played by Michael Caine), a con artist who has just been released from prison. The businessmen approach him with a proposal to run their silver investment scheme. The catch? He must raise $30 million in 30 days. Foreman sees this as an opportunity to make some quick cash and agrees to take on the project. He quickly assembles a team of misfits, including Joe Fiore (played by Lou Gossett Jr.), Doc Fletcher (played by Jay Leno), Shireen Fenn (played by Cybill Shepherd), and Michel Grandier (played by Louis Jourdan).

The team's first step is to set up a shell company in Switzerland where they can store the silver they plan to buy. They set up a fake board of directors, including fake names and fake addresses, to make it look like a legitimate company. However, the real challenge comes when they try to raise the $30 million. Initially, they try to convince the businessmen to invest, but they quickly realize that they are not interested in investing in something they do not understand. This forces Foreman and his team to turn to other means of raising money, including stealing from a casino, blackmailing a businessman, and even kidnapping someone.

As they try to raise the money, the team faces several obstacles, including a crooked Swiss banker, a bomb threat, and the police. However, they manage to overcome these challenges and, with a little luck, raise the $30 million just in time. But as they celebrate their success, they soon realize that they have been played by the very people they were trying to scam.

Silver Bears is a fun and entertaining film that combines elements of comedy, crime, and suspense. The film's main strength is its excellent cast, with Michael Caine delivering a standout performance as Henry Foreman. The relationship between Foreman and Shireen Fenn (played by Cybill Shepherd) is also enjoyable to watch, as their chemistry is palpable on screen.

The film's plot is engaging and keeps the audience hooked until the very end. The film does an excellent job of building up the tension and introducing obstacles for Foreman and his team to overcome. The various twists and turns in the plot add to the film's excitement and make for an entertaining movie experience.

Overall, Silver Bears is a must-watch film for fans of heist movies and crime comedies. Its witty script, excellent cast, and engaging plot make it a classic of the genre. It may not be the most profound or thought-provoking film, but it delivers on its promises and provides a fun and enjoyable movie experience.