The Italian Job (1969)

User Rating:

7.3/10   

Director:

Peter Collinson

Writer:

Troy Kennedy-Martin (written by)

Release Date:

3 September 1969 (USA)

Genre:

Action | Comedy | Crime

Tagline:

Introducing the plans for a new business venture: "The Italian Job."

Plot:

Comic caper movie about a plan to steal a gold shipment from the streets of Turin by creating a traffic jam.

Plot Keywords:

Prison | Gold | Sewer | Car Chase | Mini Cooper

Awards:

Nominated for Golden Globe.

Cast

Michael Caine	...	Charlie Croker
Noel Coward	...	Mr. Bridger (as Noël Coward)
Benny Hill	...	Professor Simon Peach
Raf Vallone	...	Altabani
Tony Beckley	...	Freddie
Rossano Brazzi	...	Beckerman
Margaret Blye	...	Lorna (as Maggie Blye)
Irene Handl	...	Miss Peach
John Le Mesurier	...	Governor (as John le Mesurier)
Fred Emney	...	Birkinshaw
John Clive	...	Garage Manager
Graham Payn	...	Keats
Michael Standing	...	Arthur
Stanley Caine	...	Coco
Barry Cox	...	Chris

Also Known As:

Charlie staubt Millionen ab (Austria) (West Germany) [de]
Az olsz meló (Hungary) [hu]
Den vilda biljakten (Sweden) [sv]
Den ville biljakten (Norway) [no]
Dobar posao u Italiji (Serbia) [sr]
Italyan Usulü Soygun (Turkey: Turkish title) (Pay-TV title) [tr]
L'or se barre (France) [fr]
Listeia... ala italika (Greece) [el]
Maxi-job i mini-biler (Denmark) [da]
Riehakas ryöstö (Finland) [fi]
Um Golpe à Italiana (Brazil) [pt]
Un colpo all'italiana (Italy) [it]
Un trabajo en Italia (Spain) [es]
Wloska robota (Poland) [pl]

Runtime:

99 min

Country:

UK

Language:

English | Italian

Color:

Color (Eastmancolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

South Korea:15 | UK:PG (video rating) (1988) | Australia:PG | Canada:PG | Finland:K-11 (DVD rating) | Finland:K-12 (original rating) | Ireland:PG | Netherlands:12 | Norway:15 | Norway:16 (cinema version) | Singapore:PG | Sweden:11 | UK:U (original rating) | USA:G | West Germany:12

Filming Locations:

Alembic House - 93 Albert Embankment, Vauxhall, London, England, UK

Company:

Oakhurst Productions

Trivia:

When Charlie Crocker gets out of jail, his girlfriend is waiting for him with a car to drive him home and Charlie mentions that it's the car of the ambassador of Pakistan. The actual car was owned by the High Commissioner of Pakistan when the film was produced.

Goofs:

Continuity: The bonnet of Charlie's Aston Martin is hinged at the nose of the car. When the car gets thrown off the cliff, the hinges are near the cockpit. This is because the car which was thrown off the cliff was in fact a Lancia Fulvia convertible

Quotes:

Charlie Croker: Bill?
Bill Bailey: Yes, Charlie?
Charlie Croker: Bill!
Bill Bailey: Yes, Charlie?
Charlie Croker: Burn this for me, will 'ya?
Bill Bailey: Yes, Charlie.
Charlie Croker: Oh, Bill?
Bill Bailey: Yes, Charlie?
Charlie Croker: Get rid of this, lot.
Bill Bailey: Yes, Charlie.

Movie Connections:

Featured in "MacGyver: Thief of Budapest (#1.3)" (1985)

Soundtrack:

Hello Mrs. Beckerman!

Pure British Class!

How to describe something which epitomizes true English spirit in less that 1000 words? Argh.

I've seen this film over a 100 times, and I never seem to tire of it. It has a style unto its own that just catches you up and pulls you along for the ride. I mean carrying gold in the back of a Mini! It's ludicrous, but it works. There's no denying it.

Beneath the late 60's gloss there is a bloody good film under here. A very intricate plot, perfectly delivered lines ("You must have shot an awful lot of tigers. - Yes, I used a machine gun") and above all a great cast.

Caine does the business once again, and a solid supporting cast with greats such as John LeMesurier ensures you can't help but believe in the characters.

As I say, an intricate plot, which unfortunately dates the film. These days a cinema experience seems to be more of a wham bang thank you mam. But if you feel like watching a proper film, with proper characters and a huge dollop of English patriotism, then this is for you.

Get your skates on mate!