Plot Summary

The Big Steal (1990) Plot Summary Explained

Name: The Big Steal
Genre: Comedy
Released: 1990-09-20
Duration: 99 min

Release, runtime and language: 1990 · 99 mins · English
Directed by: Nadia Tass
Starring: Damon Herriman, Ben Mendelsohn, Claudia Karvan, Marshall Napier, Robert Morgan, Steve Bisley

Danny is obsessed with two things – a 1973 Jaguar and winning over Joanna Johnson. When a slick dealer tricks him into swapping his Nissan Cedric for the coveted Jaguar, Danny hatches a plan to reclaim his pride, win Joanna’s affection, and get back at the unscrupulous Gordon Farkes.

Comedy Cast, crew & box office

On this page (6)

1 What happens: full plot
2 Plot questions answered
3 Movie threads
4 Movies like The Big Steal
5 Categories
6 Every angle

Full plot summary · contains spoilers

What Happens in The Big Steal: Full Plot Summary

The whole story of The Big Steal (1990) explained, from the opening scene to the final frame: every key event, every twist and what it all adds up to. Read it as a quick recap before the sequel, to check a scene you missed, or to finally understand what really happened.

18-year-old Danny Clark, a young man living in Footscray, a suburb of Melbourne, is determined to up his cool factor in the hopes of winning the heart of Joanna Johnson. He plays the part of a suave suitor, courting danger and charisma, all to catch her eye and prove he’s more than just a regular guy.

To impress her, he offers to take Joanna out for a ride in a sleek Jaguar, but his own ride is a plain 1963 Nissan Cedric that hardly screams “cool.” In a scramble to look the part, Danny decides he needs a Jaguar fast, and he makes a bold, if misguided, swap to land a more impressive car.

Enter Gordon Farkas, a crooked used-car salesman who sees an easy mark in Danny and talks him into buying a 1973 Jaguar XJ6. The purchase proves disastrous when the Jaguar’s engine blows up, and the confrontation that follows ends with Joanna pulling away from Danny. A damning discovery soon emerges: the engine had been swapped by Gordon, sabotaging Danny’s chance to win Joanna’s affection and setting off a hunt for justice.

Determined to set things right, Danny enlists the help of friends to outsmart Gordon. They execute a cunning ruse in a multi-storey car park, transferring the blown engine into Gordon’s Jaguar as payback. Gordon, unaware and apparently drunk, drives off and is arrested for running a red light and for intoxication, setting the stage for Danny to reclaim a working Jaguar that could once again charm Joanna.

With the jagged edge of justice finally within reach, Danny finds himself with a real 4.2-litre Jaguar to impress Joanna when her parents are away for the weekend. The moment of triumph is brief, however, as the parents return and Danny must flee, hoping to preserve the fragile peace he’s built with Joanna.

Things spiral further when Gordon mistakenly believes Joanna’s father stole his Jaguar engine and retaliates by stealing that car—defacing it in the process. A series of high-stakes car chases follow, but Gordon repeatedly fails to catch Danny, whose ingenuity and luck keep him one step ahead.

The story closes with a postscript that ties up the fates of all involved: Gordon serves five years in Pentridge prison for 37 offences against the Motor Traders Act, Danny and Joanna marry later that year, and Danny’s friends move into their ideal roles in computing and car sales, rounding out a tale of rivalry, romance, and the creaking gears of the used-car world.

Last updated: January 28, 2026 at 12:46

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Plot questions answered

The Big Steal Plot Explained: Your Questions Answered

The questions people ask most about The Big Steal (1990): what happens in the confusing scenes, why the characters do what they do, the twists, hidden details and what the ending means. Each answer contains spoilers.

Why does Danny want a Jaguar so badly?

Danny wants a Jaguar to impress Joanna Johnson. He lives in Footscray and drives a plain 1963 Nissan Cedric, which he knows won't win her over. In his mind, a sleek Jaguar represents the cool, sophisticated image he needs to appear suave and successful enough to capture her affection.

Danny Clark
Joanna Johnson
Jaguar
impress girl
cool car

How does Gordon Farkas trick Danny into buying the Jaguar?

Gordon Farkas, a crooked used-car dealer, recognizes Danny as an easy target desperate to look cool. He talks the eager young man into buying a 1973 Jaguar XJ6, presenting it as the perfect vehicle to upgrade his image. What Danny doesn't know is that Gordon has already swapped the engine, setting him up for failure.

Gordon Farkas
car dealer
Jaguar XJ6
con
scam

Why does Joanna leave Danny after the Jaguar breaks down?

After the Jaguar's engine blows up, an investigation reveals the engine had been swapped by Gordon, exposing the fraud. This discovery humiliates Danny and makes Joanna question his judgment. The failed attempt to impress her, combined with the deception involved, causes her to pull away from Danny.

Joanna Johnson
engine failure
betrayal
humiliation

How does Danny get revenge on Gordon?

Danny enlists his friends to execute a sting operation in a multi-storey car park. They lure Gordon's Jaguar into the building and secretly install the blown engine that was originally in Danny's car. The payback scheme works perfectly, Gordon drives off unaware and gets arrested for drunk driving and running a red light.

revenge
engine swap
car park sting
payback

Why does Gordon get arrested after Danny's revenge?

Gordon, intoxicated from drinking, drives away in his Jaguar without knowing the blown engine has been installed. He runs a red light and is arrested for drunk driving and disobeying traffic signals. This arrest derails his schemes and gives Danny time to regroup.

Gordon arrest
drunk driving
red light
intoxicated

Why does Gordon steal Joanna's father's car?

Gordon mistakenly believes that Joanna's father stole his Jaguar engine. In retaliation, he steals the car belonging to Joanna's father and defaces it. This error compounds his problems and escalates the conflict further, as he's now committing additional crimes based on a false assumption.

Gordon
car theft
Joanna father
mistaken identity

What happens to Gordon Farkas at the end of the movie?

Gordon Farkas is ultimately caught and serves five years in Pentridge Prison for 37 offences against the Motor Traders Act. His career as a crooked car dealer catches up with him, and he faces serious legal consequences for his scams and criminal behavior throughout the story.

Gordon Farkas
Pentridge Prison
prison sentence
Motor Traders Act

Do Danny and Joanna end up together?

Yes, Danny and Joanna eventually marry later that year. Despite the chaos caused by the car scheme, the failed Jaguar purchase, and Gordon's pursuit, their relationship survives the drama. Danny's determination and eventual success win her over, and they have a hopeful future together.

Danny Clark
Joanna Johnson
marriage
wedding
happy ending

Movie threads

More Movies Like The Big Steal, by Mood & Story

Curated lists built around what makes The Big Steal tick: the same mood, the same kind of story or the same emotional payoff. Each list explains why these movies belong together.

Movies about youthful schemes and coming-of-age plots like The Big Steal

Lighthearted stories of clever teenagers pulling off ambitious plans for love and respect. If you liked The Big Steal, discover more movies featuring clever teenage protagonists and their lighthearted plots for love and redemption. This list includes fun, energetic comedies about youthful ambition and the clever plans that define a coming-of-age journey.

youthful
mischievous
playful
hopeful
energetic
clever
Tone: light, playful, hopeful
Pacing: steady, efficient

Why these movies?

The story pattern: The narrative follows a classic goal-oriented structure: a young person identifies a problem tied to social validation or romance, crafts a clever but risky plan to solve it, faces minor obstacles, and ultimately succeeds in a way that feels earned and rewarding. The journey is more about the fun of the scheme and the character's self-discovery than the high stakes of the outcome.

Why they belong together: These movies are grouped together because they share a core focus on youthful ingenuity, a lighthearted and playful tone, and a narrative centered on a personal quest with comedic stakes. They evoke a specific feeling of nostalgic, optimistic adolescence where the biggest problems can be solved with a clever idea.

Adventures in the Sin Bin

2013

As Young as You Feel

1951

That Certain Age

1938

Getting There

2002

Clueless

2010

Almost Summer

1978

Everybody Wants Some!!

2016

High School Debut

2011

Movies with low-stakes comedic revenge plots like The Big Steal

Satisfying stories of clever characters getting even with a touch of mischief. Find more movies like The Big Steal where the hero cleverly gets back at an antagonist. These light comedies feature fun revenge plots, mischievous characters, and satisfying conclusions where a small-scale wrong is righted with ingenuity and humor.

mischievous
satisfying
clever
revenge
lighthearted
underdog
Tone: light, mischievous, satisfying
Pacing: steady, building to a payoff

Why these movies?

The story pattern: The narrative revolves around an injustice that prompts the protagonist—often an underdog—to devise a non-violent, clever plan to turn the tables on the antagonist. The plot builds steadily towards the execution of the plan, with humor derived from the scheme's ingenuity and the antagonist's well-deserved, cartoonish comeuppance.

Why they belong together: These films are connected by their shared theme of cathartic, low-stakes revenge driven by cleverness over force. They deliver a specific kind of satisfaction through playful manipulation and poetic justice, all wrapped in a light, comedic tone that keeps the mood upbeat and fun.

Getting Even with Dad

1994

Porky's Revenge

1985

Revenge of the Nerds IV: Nerds In Love

1994

The Meanest Man in the World

1943

Loose Loot

1953

The Big Steal

1990

The Lovable Cheat

1949

The Wistful Widow of Wagon Gap

1947

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Movies Like The Big Steal

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The Art of the Steal

2014

Stealing Harvard

2002

Stealing Rembrandt

2003

Big Time

2005

Thieves

2007

Car Trouble

1986

The Big Job

1965

Steal Big Steal Little

1995

The Big Steal

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The Thief Who Came to Dinner

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The Sex Thief

1973

To Steal a Thief

1996

Movie Lists Featuring The Big Steal

The Big Steal appears in these hand-built movie categories. Each one groups movies by a specific mood, theme or story type, with their plot summaries and endings explained.

View all movie categories

Elderly Crew Heist Comedies

Heist movies with elderly characters

Every angle

The Big Steal (1990) Explained: Plot, Timeline & Characters

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