The Film Heist Economy

I blame Jesse James. Ever since he shot someone on the way out of Dodge (or whatever city it was), heists have become increasingly spectacular. At least that's the mythology both literature and films have created. Even Robin Hood's highway robberies became more spectacular as the genre became more capable. And it's understandable. It's spectacle.

Movie heists appear to be both incredibly extravagant for what would be a real life low return. I'd like to take a look at this fictional "heist economy" to determine how probable something is. mean, it's a movie, we don't expect it, but robbing a bank with two helicopters or a building with a full paramilitary arsenal (including a rocket launcher) is incredibly impractical.

Art heists in particular also interest me, as they really do happen, and the more high profile the heist, the more amazing. Still, this also limits the kind of fences and buyers you can go to, so there likely isn't a high return.

Leave any suggestions for films, literature, or even real life heists to take a look at.