In The Thomas Crown Affair (1968), Thomas Crown plays polo competitively.
Steve McQueen's wealthy businessman character is shown as an accomplished polo player, an activity that reflects his money, confidence, and appetite for risk. The sport forms part of Crown's carefully constructed public image while he secretly organizes a sophisticated bank robbery.
Norman Jewison directed the original film, with Faye Dunaway playing insurance investigator Vicki Anderson. The movie is known for its stylish split-screen editing, Michel Legrand's score, and the psychological contest between Crown and Anderson. The later 1999 remake changes the setting and many details, which can cause confusion when recalling the original character. In the 1968 version, polo is the competitive sport specifically associated with Crown.