"Society as a whole is more and more splitting up into two great hostile camps, into two great classes directly facing each other -- bourgeoisie and proletariat" (Marx http://www.anu. edu.au/polsci/marx/classics/manifesto.html#Bourgoise). That was the initial statement of Karl Marx's Manifesto of the Communist party: the distinction of the main two classes, the upper or ruling class, the bourgeoisie, and the lower or working class, the proletariat. These two terms are used to classify a

broad base of classes; however, for the movie, "The Thomas Crown Affair" these terms are not hard to infer. The main character, Thomas Crown is one of the most stereotypical characterized members of the bourgeoisie any movie. This multimillionaire is seen flaunting every aspect of the upperclass that the directors could pack into the two hours of the movie. Crown takes the time to learn every technicality of each situation into which he gets. "If we are to survive, [we must] keep on top of things and never be caught napping" (Berger, MAT 164). In the 1999 film, during his meal with Katherine Banning, he states from memory anything and everything from her past just like he was reading it from a file. He does his research. Crown calculates every move, and maintains constant control over those around him. He is the ultimate representation of the ruling class. This fortunately allows the objective audience to be very broad. The members of the bourgeoisie watch in laughter and awe of a character acting out many actions they think of acting out only do not have the ambition nor ability to try. The members of the proletariat watch in envy as they see a character living out their dreams.

The separation of the classes does lead to a problem for Thomas Crown. He is lonely. There is an alienation that leaves Crown always desiring for challenge. "Bourgeois capitalist societies generate alienation and a host of afflictions that are connected to it-a sense of powerlessness, insecurity, estrangement, rootlessness, and lack of identity" (Berger, MAT 164). "Powerlessness" and "lack of identity" seem like harsh words to associate with Thomas Crown due to his characterization up to this point. The fact of the matter is that in both movies Crown is rarely seen with friends. In the 1968 version, the golf bet is the only time he is seen "out having fun with the guys." In the 1999 version, Crown's golfing partners appear to be business associates. Although his sailing partners are probably friends, Crown is never really seen having true friends or even someone to challenge him. Crown most certainly has friends, but they do not play as important of a role in his life as they would for a member of the proletariat who defines an existence more so by the people around them than the things around them. That is what makes Vicky Anderson (1968) and Katherine Banning (1999) so exciting to Crown. She offers him something to relieve his alienation.

Ideology is another important feature as is shown in this film. To understand ideology it must be more clearly explained. Berger restricts ideology to, "any system of logically coherent and widely applicable socio-political beliefs" (Berger, "Film" 47). That not being a very narrow restriction, the theory of materialism must come into play. Materialism is very important from a Marxist point-of-view. The Marxist 'materialist' stance is that social being determines consciousness (Berger, MAT 39). Implying that anyone involved in the world around them is conscious of the world and its views. Both of the TCA's involve this overpowering ideology that it is okay for the incredibly wealthy to waste money. In the 1968 version, Crown is scene blowing $2000 on a simple golfing put. When this gross improvidence of money is questioned, Crown chuckles, "what else would you have us do on a beautiful Sunday afternoon?" A statement which instantly defines the character of Thomas Crown. He has no respect for money. The 1999 Crown is even more flamboyant. In the same scene in the second movie, he blows "$100,000 on a god-damn golf shot." This shows how little money means to these men.

Another aspect of these movies which displays an important aspect of American culture is the fact that throughout the entire movie the pursuers of Thomas Crown, with the exception of Vicky Anderson (1968) and Katherine Banning (1999), are blue collar police officers who are members of the proletariat. So

Some common words found in the essay are:
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