#1 Cheap The Italian Job Reviews
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Another in a long line of English caper films, The Italian Job (1969), directed by Peter Collinson, is a classic example in the genre. With a mostly British cast, headed by lovable bad boy Michael Caine (The Ipcress File), the film follows the adventures of a criminal gang, engaged in a bold robbery attempt, executed with precision, while gloriously waving the Union Jack in the face of the opposition.
Charlie Croker (Caine) is just out of prison, when he receives information about a robbery scheme, from his friend Roger Beckerman (Rossano Brazzi), who has just been killed in Italy, by the Mafia. Beckerman's plan, involves stealing a delivery of gold en route to the Fiat plant in Turin, Italy. The idea is to utilize the city's traffic control system to create gridlock, to enable the thieves to escape. With most of the plan outlined, Croker needs to work out the details, find a crew, and get financial backing. For the later, he turns to Mr. Bridger (Noel Coward), who although behind bars in one of her Majesty's prisons, is still the man in charge. Although initially resistant, seeing that it would be a huge boost for British morale, Bridger greenlights the Italian Job.
With support of girlfriend Lorna (Margaret Blye), Croker gathers materials, and puts his group together, including math whiz Professor Simon Peach (Benny Hill). The group arrives in Italy, but experiences car damage, and encounter a major roadblock from the Mafia. Undaunted, the Brits continue as planned, infiltrating Milan's traffic control center, and executing their plan to near perfection.
The Italian Job is probably most known for the mad driving of a set of red, white, and blue mini Coopers, used to transport the stolen gold. Maneuvering through the streets, sewers and sidewalks of Milan, the three minis blaze through all manner of alternate routes. With world renowned Remy Julienne, and his driving team behind the wheel, the film features an impressive, and light hearted display of driving skill. As the mission nears completion, Quincy Jones's soundtrack builds and elevates to celebratory levels, with Michael Caine leading the bawdy singing. Making their escape in a bus, collecting the gold, and recklessly tossing the mini's down the side of a mountain, the group's hubris goes a little too far, and the film ends memorably in a literal cliffhanger, for the self-preservation society.
Producer Michael Deeley, came up with the unusual ending, and had a resolution in mind for a sequel, which never came to be. The point of the film was to showcase the brazen execution by Croker's team, and to have ripping good time in the process. In that, The Italian Job was an uproarious success. Caine and his boys exercise some restraint, but they certainly push very hard to hold up the British end. Back in England, those behind bars offer a glorious salute to Mr. Bridger and his boys, for pulling off the outrageous heist.
The enhanced version looks and sound great. The cinematography in Milan and the Italian mountains is often delightful. Extras include a commentary track by producer Michael Deeley, and author Matthew Field. It's a little dry, but is still informative. There are also some well produced making of featurettes, but unfortunately there is no contribution from the iconic Michael Caine.
The Italian Job Feature
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The Italian Job Overview
A british crook robs gold ingots in italy by having a computer expert cause a traffic jam. Studio: Paramount Home Video Release Date: 01/25/2005 Starring: Michael Caine Tony Beckley Run time: 100 minutes Rating: G Director: Peter Collinson
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