The Olsen Gang

The Olsen Gang (Olsen-banden, 1968) is a Danish crime comedy by Erik Balling, and you can watch it online on iFILM. This is the film that kicked off one of Europe's longest-running comedy series.

Egon Olsen walks out of prison with another flawless scheme worked out to the second. His goal: lift a priceless Bavarian artwork from a Copenhagen museum and turn his tiny outfit into the most famous gang in Denmark. Loyal, easygoing Benny and perpetually nervous Kjeld sign on to help — devoted friends who couldn't think their way out of a paper bag. The plan is tight. The men carrying it out are not.

Ove Sprogøe plays the eternally unlucky Egon, and his bowler hat and cigar became the trademark of a fourteen-film franchise. It's light, almost family-friendly farce: chases, ridiculous mishaps and one small man's stubborn faith in the big score. Stream The Olsen Gang (1968) online on iFILM.