The Italian Job DVD > Reviews > The real Italian Job

Author's product rating:   

Did you enjoy it?	Loved it
Story	Outstanding
Characters / Performances	Outstanding
Special Effects	Good
Soundtrack	Good

Advantages:	great entertainment and some class driving
Disadvantages:	a little slow to start

Recommend to potential buyers:

yes

Full review

Director: Peter Collinson
Producer: Michael Deeley:
Writer: Troy Kennedy Martin
Stars: Michael Caine, Noel Coward, Raf Vallone, Benny Hill, Tony Beckley, Maggie Blye, John Forgeham and Rossano Brazzi.

Released in the summer of 1969, shot in London and Turin, this comedy action movie became a classic and made the Mini cooper world famous.

**BRIEL PLOT**

When Charlie Croker, (played by Michael Caine) is released from prison it is not long before he and his friends are up to the same old tricks.
Charlies friend, Roger Beckerman, (played by Rossano Brazzi) has been working on a plan to pull off the most daring robbery involving four million dollars worth of gold.
Then getting the financial backing of the notorious Mr Bridgers, who organises crime from his prison cell, and Camp Freddie, (played by Tony Beckley), the plan can move forwards.

Unfortunately, the plan has attracted the interest of the Italian mafia who insist that the robbery doesn't happen.
Undeterred by the threat of death from the mafia, and Charlie gets a gang together, the computer genious Professor Simon Peach, (played by Benny Hill), electronics expert Birkinshaw, (played by Fred Emney) and a selection of professional getaway drivers.

With the plan to bring Turin to a stand still and take the gold from under every ones noses and escape to Switzerland the robbery goes ahead and the car chase begins.

**IN CONCLUSION**

This is one of the greatest movies of its time.
The escape route is spectacularly shot with the Mini Cooper Ss racing around the streets, the underground and the sewers.

Although half the movie is taken up by the planning of the robbery, which can be a little slow at times the second part of the movie really kicks in as the robbery takes place.

Michael Caine plays his part to perfection, as do all the actors, which make watching the movie a pleasure as the Mini's race around the gridlocked city of Turin, there boots full of stolen gold, heading for their rendezvous point.
Once the action starts the movie is non stop as the gang attempt to escape from the Turin police and the Italian mafia, driving through places only a mini cooper could get through.
The scenery is splendid as the mini's chase through the areas around Turin and the driving stunts are spectacular as they squeeze the mini's through the eye of a needle.

I don't want to spoil the end of the movie for those few who have never seen it but it does end on a cliff-hanger.

***famous one liner from Michael cane…
"you're only supposed to blow the bloody doors off "
and
"Hang on a minute lads, I've got a great idea! Err..."

Would I recommend this film..? Yes I defiantly would as it is entertaining and funny with a plot line to beat many plot lines.

{I much prefer this original to the 2003 remake which I thought was pretty poor in comparison}

It runs for approximately 95 minutes and does not become boring or feel padded out with inappropriate scenes.

A must for all classic movie buffs.

Can be found on Amazon for around £5.00