The Italian Job (1969)

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

Director:

Peter Collinson

Writer:

Troy Kennedy-Martin (as Troy Kennedy Martin)

Stars:

Michael Caine, Noël Coward, Benny Hill

Nominated for 1 Golden Globe.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Michael Caine	...	Charlie Croker
Noël Coward	...	Mr. Bridger
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
Fred Emney	...	Birkinshaw
John Clive	...	Garage Manager
Graham Payn	...	Keats
Michael Standing	...	Arthur
Stanley Caine	...	Coco
Barry Cox	...	Chris

Storyline

Charlie's got a 'Job' to do. Having just left prison, he finds one of his friends has attempted a high risk job in Italy right under the nose of the Mafia. Charlie's friend doesn't get very far so Charlie takes over the 'Job'. Using three Mini Coopers, a couple of Jaguars and a bus, he hopes to bring Torino to a standstill, steal the Gold and escape.

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Plot Keywords:

car chase | cliffhanger | caper | mafia | 1960s | 

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Taglines:

This is the self preservation society

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Genres:

Action | Comedy | Crime | Thriller

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Certificate:

G

Details

Country:

UK

Language:

English Italian

Release Date:

3 September 1969 (USA)

Also Known As:

Faena a la italiana

Filming Locations:

Chiesa della Gran Madre di Dio, Piazza Gran Madre di Dio 4, Turin, Piedmont, Italy

Box Office

Budget:

$3,000,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Oakhurst Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

99 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color (Eastmancolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Noël Coward was so ill, that his triumphant walk through the prison had to be filmed in stages, as he could not walk more than few feet at a time.

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Goofs

The number and positioning of the spot lights on the front of the Minis changes between some shots, particularly when driving through the sewers.

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Quotes

[last lines]
Charlie Croker: Hang on a minute lads, I've got a great idea.

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Alternate Versions

When the first E-Type is crushed on the mountain road, Charlie says, "You just cost him his no claims bonus." For the American release this was dubbed to, "...his insurance bonus."

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Connections

Referenced in EastEnders: Episode dated 26 June 2000 (2000)

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Soundtracks

It's Caper Time
(uncredited)
Written by Quincy Jones
Performed by The Italian Job (vocal)

User Reviews

More humor than the re-make.

A year after I saw the remake, I finally got to see the original for the first time. This movie was released during my freshman year in college, but I certainly don't remember it ever being in any local theaters. From a 35-year hindsight perspective, it has an "Austin Powers" feel to it, primarily because of the sound track and the period-attire worn by the players. The 2003 re-make has a more imaginative yet believable plot, while this original has a sly, tongue-in-cheek undertone of humor to it. Benny Hill as the computer-geek obsessed with "large-boned women" is a real hoot! I think that sub-plot could have been played out further in the form of it creating more complications for master planner Michael Caine. Although I like "Marky" Mark Wahlberg and most of his movies, Michael Caine imbued the Charlie Croker role with more personality. The mini-Coopers are still the centerpiece of both movies, though: good chase scenes! This movie has merits that the re-make does not, and vice versa. It's hard not to compare the two, but try watching both again, as individual movies.