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 | caper | mafia | 1960s | car movie | 

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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

The road used for the climactic cliff-hanger sequence, led only to a restaurant. The first day of shooting was a Saturday, brilliantly sunny, and the shoot went off without a hitch. On the next day, however, a huge line of cars appeared at the bottom of the road. The restaurant was hugely popular on Sundays. Some disgruntled drivers eventually broke through the police cordon and the shoot had to be aborted. Over the next two weeks, it rained steadily, and the snowline came down the mountain by approximately 250 feet. By the time the shot was completed, the crew had to sweep snow from the road.

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Goofs

The car used when Charlie came out of prison was supposed to have been stolen from the Pakistani Ambassador (as Charlie points out to Lorna when they're in it and he shows her the flag). As a member of the Commonwealth (which they still were in 1969 although they left three years later), Pakistan did not have an Ambassador in London, but a High Commissioner.

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Quotes

Lorna: [after hearing a rapid knock at the door] It's the Law, Charlie!
Charlie Croker: What you tell 'em?
Lorna: Charlie, would I tell them anything?
Charlie Croker: ...Yes you would.

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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 Going in Style (2017)

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Soundtracks

On Days Like These
Music by Quincy Jones
Lyrics by Don Black
Performed by Matt Monro

User Reviews

What a ride!

This thing starts moving and doesn't let go of you until the end, at which point you wish you were still on the ride going. We were surprised that we'd never herd of this before, especially since so many scenes are in video games these days (and times past).

This isn't one of those movies you spend your time thinking about, just sit down, watch, and let the movie unfold before you. If you're looking for good entertainment, this is it. If you are looking for meaning and some sort of significance, look elsewhere.

Good fast fun! 8/10