The Italian Job (1969)

"Hang on a minute lads, I've got a great idea!"


Fish and chips, cups of tea, rainy summers, moaning about rainy summers, Her Majesty The Queen and...The Italian Job.

Struggling to see the link? Well, the above are things that I would put pretty high up on a list if someone were to ask me of things that I consider to represent Britain and the British way of life. The fact that The Italian Job features so highly is down to the impact it had on the British people and this is a true credit to the film. Considered only a cult film across the pond in the U.S.A. I would struggle to find many people in the U.K. who have not heard of this fantastic film. It is surprising to hear that in a recent poll by Total Film Magazine The Italian Job came out at a surprisingly low 26th in a poll aiming to find the best British film of all time. In the top ten of this poll were films such as Naked and Kind Hearts and Coronets two films which I am sure are much lesser known to the British people than Peter Collinson's 1969 classic. So what is it that makes it so well known and iconic film even to the casual movie watcher in the U.K?

For me the answer to that question is that it really does appeal to absolutely anyone. From children to adults, men to women, from the hardcore film fanatic to the casual movie goer, The Italian Job can be enjoyed by all. It is also helped by the fact that at now fourty years old the film hasn't aged in the slightest making it still easily accessible to the younger generations. The 2003 remake, however ghastly it may be, and the potential sequel to the remake, also help to draw attention to the original but the remake casts no shadow over the original allowing for Michael Caine's starring role to continue to be passed down through British folklore.

So what is it all about? Charlie Croker (Caine), a likeable Cockney geezer has just been released from prison but is immediately eager to get back into a life of crime and is told about a daring plan to rob four million dollars worth of gold from Turin. Croker agrees to the idea and the plan is set in motion. He assembles a team, including Professor Peach (Benny Hill), the computer expert with an interest in the bigger lady. Peach's job is to send the traffic system in the centre of Turin into absolute chaos allowing for the gang to escape with a decreased chance of getting caught. The escape cars will be three Mini Coopers, one red, one white and one blue to represent the British flag and the escape route out of the city makes for one of the films brilliant scenes as they squerm through upmarket shopping centres and Turin's sewage pipes which whilst being hilarious throughout never abandons it's intention of being a tense action car chase. The destination? The Swiss border. A coachload of British criminals busy revelling in their success as we are subjected to the unforgettable sound of 'The Self-Preservation Society', a tune that simply refuses to get out of your head and remains as one the films most iconic features to date. Everything is set up for one of the most audacious, hilarious, climatic and original final scenes in film history...



The ending on reflection shouldn't come as a surprise. Despite pulling off the audacious crime, it certainly wasn't without it's struggles and the ending sums up the idea that we really shouldn't display an overconfidence until it really is all done and dusted with. The group didn't appear to be the smartest bunch despite some displaying impressive fields of expertise yet they managed to successfully steal four million dollars worth of gold. But despite this, when it came to simply driving away towards the safety of Switzerland they simply couldn't do it but Croker, whose performance by Caine is the best of his career, remains upbeat in a film that ends with the quote that begins my review. A brilliant send off!

If it hasn't become clear as of yet, The Italian Job is firmly within my top ten films of all time. It is an excellent example of how to perfect story telling on the big screen. It simply has it all. It is disappointing that it's director Peter Collinson died only eleven years after its release as he wouldn't get the chance to see its rise to it's current status as a British classic, a label that it fully deserves.

Rating: 10/10 - a must see.