The Thomas Crown Affair is a 1968 American heist film directed by Norman Jewison and written by Alan Trustman. It stars Steve McQueen, Faye Dunaway, Paul Burke and Jack Weston. Playing against type, McQueen portrays a rich businessman who relieves his boredom by hiring a gang to stage an audacious string of ingenious heists. Dunaway plays the insurance investigator sent to solve the crimes. The two become lovers even as they try to thwart one another.
The film was especially noted for the chemistry between McQueen and Dunaway. There are several memorable sexually charged moments, including a chess game with phallic overtones. The film was also known for its stylish production. Director Norman Jewison made creative use of split-screen images, which was an innovation at that time.
The Oscar-winning song “The Windmills of Your Mind” was subsequently recorded by numerous musicians, but the original version heard over the main titles is sung by Noel Harrison. A popular remake of the film starring Pierce Brosnan and Rene Russo was released in 1999.
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