Italian Job, The [1969]

In his final screen appearance, Noel Coward joyfully sends up his own patriotic persona, and there are small though priceless cameos from the likes of Irene Handl and John Le Mesurier. But The Italian Job's real stars are the three Mini Coopers--patriotically decorated red, white and blue--that run rings round every other vehicle in an immortal car-chase sequence, which preserves forever the British public's love affair with the little car. Quincy Jones provided the irreverent music, naturally, while the cliffhanger ending thumbs its nose at anything so un-hip as a resolution. It's all unashamedly jingoistic--ridiculously, gleefully, absurdly so--but the whole sums up the joie de vivre of the 1960s so perfectly that future historians need only look here to learn why the decade was swinging.

On the DVD: The Italian Job disc contains three all-new documentaries--"The Great Idea" (conception), "The Self-Preservation Society" (casting), and "Get a Bloomin' Move On" (stunts)--which dovetail into a good 68-minute "making of" featurette. Contributors include scriptwriter Troy Kennedy Martin and Producer Michael Deeley, who also crops up on the sporadically interesting commentary track with author of The Making of The Italian Job, Matthew Field. The deleted "Blue Danube" waltz scene is also included, with optional commentary. The print is a decent anamorphic transfer of the original 2.35:1 ratio, and the soundtrack has been remastered to Dolby 5.1. The animated Mini Cooper menus set the tone perfectly. --Mark Walker

The plan is to cause a traffic jam in the centre of Turin and then using specially adapted Mini Cooper's escape from the gridlocked city by the only remaining route. It's no normal road route though and the car chase that ensues is still probably the best ever captured on film!

It is not a car chase film though, there is so much more to it than that. There is never a dull moment, with plenty of humour and suspence as the mini's make short work of every conceivable obstacle in their desperate bid to heist the gold.

The ending has one of the most quoted lines of any British film and still leaves you on the edge of your seat. A top notch ensemble cast make this an accomplished tour de force of humour and tension that may never be surpassed.


An absolute classic   January 23, 2003
21 out of 23 found this review helpful

By the number of voters on each review of this film, I have the impression that maybe a lot of younger people (ie students, possibly?) have heard a lot about this film but are unsure whether to buy it, because of its age. Well, as a 22 year old, let me tell you: it is DEFINITELY worth buying.
Like a lot of you, I imagine, I was sceptical that the film's age (it was made in 1969) would detract from its quality. It doesn't at all. The Italian Job is one of the funniest, sharpest and exciting films ever made.
The plot centres around Charlie Croker (Michael Caine) and his motley crew who plan to steal $4m worth of gold bullion by causing a huge traffic jam in Turin. The Turin scenes in particular are fantastically shot and very picturesque. Caine, surprisingly, does not steal the show but is merely an important component in the brilliance of this film. Benny Hill's preoccupation with the larger woman is very amusing, as are the subtle one liners ("they went thataway", "you're only supposed to blow the bloody doors off", etc.). The lovely Britt Ekland is a nice distraction from the chaos of the film. Much is made of Noel Coward's performance in this film as the corrupt police officer, Bridger, but he does not really add much to the film.

The pace of the film is always at a good tempo, where you think that if you miss a scene you've missed an important part, although the story is easy to understand.

As for the car chase scene...utterly hilarious and brilliant. It shows that big money effects are not always needed to make a good action film.

The cliffhanger (literally!) is amusing as well, and from the car chase to the end you will have a broad grin on your face. The scenery, the dialogue and the music have a very decadent Sixties feel about them.

This is a film that you will watch over and over again. It also annoys you when you think a dumbed-down American version is currently being made. The Englishness of this film is what makes it. Ritchie, Statham, Jones...on your bike you muppets.


Get Some Self-Preservation   October 1, 2002
20 out of 29 found this review helpful

This overdue DVD features a tripartite documentary as its centrepiece. These 3 "making-of" slices were insighful and well-fatted with content, anecdote and film lore (Redford as Croker?!) despite being hampered by a lack of contemporaneous footage. Producer Michael Deeley (his darkwood sophistication offset by a lemon peeled-cocktail being an almost painterly touch), director of photography, Douglas Slocombe (the still,unadorned elegance of a living legend) and screenwriter, Troy Kennedy Martin (who gets a wonderful introductory tracking shot)came accross extremely well as did, surprisingly, the widow of director Peter Collinson, Hazell (florally soft and wittily sympathetic). The new thing about these interviews is how the they are treated visually in the programmes: the off-centre framing of the interview subjects was cinematic in a simple, effective manner while the props gave each subject feeling and humanity. The use of the Aston Martin showroom set up a time bomb of brilliantly delayed realization as it is intercut with the scene in which Croker rescues his car after after 2 years, ahem, "away". Other interviewees took on the feel of an Edward Hopper painting, urbanely flecked with burgundy and smoke!
The editing of the montages was superb, getting the adrenaline running and cheekily capturing the spirit and essence of the enterprise. Lancelot Narayan's documentary narration was beautifully written and raconteured, with triumphant, classy line readings. The photo montages of Coward and Collinson were moving and well edited.

The stand alone inclusion of the Mini ballet scene was well judged and accompanied by an appropriately insouciant commentary which included shards for thought and enjoyment.

Although unfortunately pock-marked by large silences, the commantary by Matthew Field and Michael Deeley added value and Deeley is always worth listening too. Field obviously knows his subject having written The Making of The Italian Job and he gets the best from his guest.

The Mini menu intro was exciting and attention grabbing, the cinecamera sub menu was thoughtful and intriguing - both helped by terrific and creative use of sound: the piece de resistance being the "Eng-er-land" handclaps accompanying the Paramount logo. Bellisimo!

The Italian Job is a deceptively entertaining yet zeitgeistian, pithily observant and culturally resonant piece of 1960's US backed UK filmaking. This DVD captures the levels the movie has layered within it and the overlooked and under-rated efforts of a host of well respected technicians and artistes and their unassuming telling of their respective roles in the film is what makes this DVD worthwhile. The host of superbly made extra features should be applauded and as much as it could be for a project like this, this package is shot through with character and style.

If you don't own this cheeky gem, get a bloomin' move on...


My all-time favourite car chase film   August 31, 2000
17 out of 23 found this review helpful

I have seen this film about 15 times and every time it gets better. Noel Coward is, of course, his usual brillian self and Michael Caine is wonderful as the initially inept crook who pulls off the most amazing robbery. The music is extremely seductive and the car chase through Turin surely must be the best ever filmed. As for the ending - well! There really should be an Italian Job 2, to continue the suspense. A brilliant piece of production, acting and action.


Well, I hope he likes spaghetti...   July 27, 2002
17 out of 21 found this review helpful

...they serve it four times a day in the Italian prisons!!
This is the response made by Mr Bridger (Noel Cowerd) when he is told that Charlie Croker (Michael Caine) intends to do a job in Italy 'The Italian Job', which involves stealing a van load of gold bullion from right under the noses of the Italian police and the local Mafia boys
This film has everything in it - humour, sex, punch-ups, car chases, more car chases and even more car chases and also features Benny Hill as the crooked computer professor who likes the 'big' ladies
A classic film and a worthy candidate for any DVD collection