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S1.E5
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IMDbPro

The Italian Machine

  • Episode aired Dec 2, 1976
  • 30m
IMDb RATING
6.0/10
128
YOUR RATING
Peep Show (1975)
Drama
This TV play, written and directed David Cronenberg, explores one of his enduring themes: obsessive relationships with technology. A group of bike fanatics determine to get their hands on a ... Read allThis TV play, written and directed David Cronenberg, explores one of his enduring themes: obsessive relationships with technology. A group of bike fanatics determine to get their hands on a Ducati 900 Desmo SuperSport owned by a rich guy, by any means necessary.This TV play, written and directed David Cronenberg, explores one of his enduring themes: obsessive relationships with technology. A group of bike fanatics determine to get their hands on a Ducati 900 Desmo SuperSport owned by a rich guy, by any means necessary.
IMDb RATING
6.0/10
128
YOUR RATING
    • David Cronenberg
    • David Cronenberg
  • Stars
    • Gary McKeehan
    • Frank Moore
    • Hardee T. Lineham
    • David Cronenberg
    • David Cronenberg
  • Stars
    • Gary McKeehan
    • Frank Moore
    • Hardee T. Lineham
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 1User review
    • 1Critic review
  • See production, box office & company info
  • See more at IMDbPro
  • Photos

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    Top cast

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    Gary McKeehan
    Gary McKeehan
    • Lionel
    Frank Moore
    Frank Moore
    • Fred
    Hardee T. Lineham
    Hardee T. Lineham
    • Bug
    • (as Hardee Lineham)
    Chuck Shamata
    Chuck Shamata
    • Reinhardt
    Louis Negin
    Louis Negin
    • Mouette
    Toby Tarnow
    • Lana
    Géza Kovács
    Géza Kovács
    • Ricardo
    • (as Geza Kovacs)
    Cedric Smith
    Cedric Smith
    • Luke
      • David Cronenberg
      • David Cronenberg
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    Storyline

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    User reviews1

    Review
    Review
    Featured review
    7/10
    TELEPLAY: THE Italian MACHINE (TV) (David Cronenberg, 1976) ***
    This isn't really horror, but it does feature Cronenberg's trademark fetishistic attitudes towards machines – in this case, a wild-looking motor enthusiast who becomes obsessed with acquiring a rare classic model currently in possession of a rich man. In fact, he fumes at the prospect of it being used as mere decoration in the latter's house – the film, then, is also a commentary on what constitutes true art (among the rich man's gallery of possessions is even a stud!).

    Anyway, the motor enthusiast insinuates himself (along with a couple of associates) into the rich man's house with the excuse that they're interviewing him for some magazine; however, his uncontrollable excitement – both at the sight of the machine and its owner's neglect of it – almost gives the game away! Eventually, they turn to the stud – who happens to be a coke addict – for help: he's to persuade his 'master' to give the bike to him, which he will then trade with our protagonist for a supply of drugs!

    Incidentally, the rich man's attractive young wife – who, unsurprisingly, has her own use for the stud – also turns her attention to their guests…but it soon becomes apparent to her that all they're interested in is the titular object! The film is marked by a fair amount of humor, which isn't the most obvious element to be found in a Cronenberg film – as evidenced even by THE LIE CHAIR (1975), another made-for-TV short and which followed this in quick succession
    helpful•4
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    • Bunuel1976
    • Nov 7, 2008

    Details

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    • Release date
      • December 2, 1976 (Canada)
      • Canada
      • English
    • Production company
      • Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC)
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Technical specs

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    • 30 minutes
      • Color
      • Mono

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