I still read, rate and comment but rarely write on here.
I still read, rate and comment but rarely write on here.
Member since:26.04.2001
Reviews:115
Members who trust:53
Small time crook Charlie Croker (Caine) is out of jail and has the biggest job he will ever come across lined up. $4,000,000 of gold is being transported as payment for Fiats construction of a factory in China. With the help of the patriotic and royalist Mr. Bridger a top criminal Charlie pulls off their big job, nicking a fortune worth of gold under the noses of the police and the Mafia.
Two thirds of the Italian Job is taken up with careful planning for the heist and various funny moments. “Your only supposed to blow the bloody doors off!” is a line out of the Italian Job I can instantly recall and has became very well-known and famous which you can tell by many of the other opinions on the Italian Job being titled that. The last third of the Italian Job however is taken up with the greatest car-chase in any film. What perhaps makes the car-chase in the Italian Job in my opinion the best is that the cars are not flash Ferraris or Aston Martins but plain and ordinary Minis. Though flash cars do feature in the Italian Job, Aston Martins and Jags make an appearance but come to an abrupt ending. Talking of abrupt endings the film comes to an abrupt ending. Despite that I think the ending was pure brilliance, apparently a sequel was planned in the 70’s but as you probably know it was never made. Though according to an article I once read an idea for a sequel. I will put it at the bottom of this review though as by saying it I will really spoil the film for the unlucky few that haven’t seen this gem of a film.
The soundtrack to the Italian Job really is superb, though it is very difficult to get hold of. But if you really are desperate some record shops in London will sell it and at a reasonable price, I got it for under a tenner. The most famous song on the soundtrack is probably “On Days like these” which is the song used to introduce the film. And it does that in style! Though “Getta Blommin’ Move on” better known as “Self Preservation Society” is very well-known and people who have seen the film should know that song. “Smell the gold” “Greensleeves and all the Jazz” “Something’s Cookin” and “Meanwhile back in the Mafia” are also on this superb soundtrack to this great film.
A good cast and excellent direction make the Italian Job the film it is. The script is superbly wrote and parts are very funny. Michael Caine is perfect as Charlie, Noël Coward is good as mastermind Mr. Bridger and he manages to provide us with plenty of humorous moments. (Charlie and Bridger in the toilet anyone?)
Whether you just love the idea of the Brits nicking off the Italians or adore the cheeky little Minis racing around this is a film that everyone can enjoy. It is suitable for all the family. Apart from the odd mild swear word no-one will be offended by the Italian Job. Other than the Italians of coarse!
Thanks for reading Cheers James *Now about the ending business, well I once read in an interview with director Peter Collinson that him and producer Michael Deeley considered as a possible sequel the mafia lifting up the coach by helicopter and then a big run in with the mafia and international gang war. Who knows – would that have been another classic cult film? Don’t like the sound of the Italian Job 2 though. Perhaps the Italian Job: Mafia V Brit Gangsters or something like that…
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Production Year: 2007 - Action/Adventure - Director: Paul Greengrass - Original Language: English - Classification: 12 years and over - Starring:Matt Damon, Julia Stiles, Joan Allen, Edgar Ramirez, David Strathairn, Paddy Considine, Albert Finney
Production Year: 1964 - Action/Adventure - Director: Cyril Endfield - Original Language: English - Classification: Parental Guidance - Starring:Stanley Baker, Jack Hawkins, Ulla Jacobsson, James Booth, Michael Caine, Nigel Green
Production Year: 2002 - Action/Adventure - Director: Vincenzo Natali - Original Language: English - Classification: 15 years and over - Starring:Lucy Liu, David Hewlett, Anne Marie Scheffler, Joseph Scoren, Matthew Sharp, Jeremy Northam
Production Year: 1977 - Action/Adventure - Director: Clint Eastwood - Original Language: English - Classification: 18 years and over - Starring:Clint Eastwood, Sondra Locke, Pat Hingle, William Prince, Bill McKinney
Thanks for the Cot addition. Not heard of the film but I've played the Italian Job game. Thanks. fromthedarkside
mrpaella 12.08.2001 21:57
I recall seeing this movie on TV ages ago. It was full of action. I can remember a car chase featuring a mini which drove down some steps. Am I correct in thinking that Benny Hill was part of the cast? I have also read of a possible sequel...Paul
Though it bears little resemblance to the celebrated 1969 original starring Michael Caine, ... more
this 2003 remake ofThe Italian Jobstands on its own as a caper comedy that's well above average. The title's a misnomer--this time it's actually a Los Angeles jo...
Postage & Packaging: £1.21 Availability: Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days...
Though it bears little resemblance to the celebrated 1969 original starring Michael Caine, ... more
this 2003 remake ofThe Italian Jobstands on its own as a caper comedy that's well above average. The title's a misnomer--this time it's actually a Los Angeles jo...
Postage & Packaging: Free! Availability: Usually dispatched within 10 to 13 days...
This stylish and contemporary update of the 1969 Michael Caine classic sees mastermind ... more
Charlie Croker (Mark Wahlberg) and his team - inside man Steve (Edward Norton) computer genius Lyle (Seth Green) wheelman Handsome Rob (Jason Statham) explosives ...
Postage & Packaging: £0.00 Availability: 3-5 working days
The plan was flawless. The execution was perfect. Charlie Croker pulled off the crime of a ... more
lifetime. The one thing that he didn't plan was being double-crossed. Now he wants more than the job's payoff...he wants payback. Mark Wahlberg is electrifying a...
Advantages: A good tribute to the original, well written and directed Disadvantages: The casting choices are a little dodgy. It would never be as good as the first
Andy.mack 29.11.2003 (21.04.2004)
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful
Review of The Italian Job (DVD)
Advantages: One of my favourite films of all time, an absolute classic film still enjoyed today. Disadvantages: It has taken its time to arrive in DVD format.
hepialid 20.12.2002 ·
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful
Review of The ItalianJob (DVD)