Review of 'The Italian Job'

the_italian_job.jpg Charlie Croker (Michael Caine), fresh out of prison, is given the plans for an ambitious heist: Steal $4,000,000 from an armoured car by starting a traffic jam. Financing secured from criminal mastermind Mr. Bridger (Noël Coward), Croker enlists professor Simon Peach (Benny Hill, yes, that Benny Hill) to sabotage the traffic control computer in Turin along with crack drivers to handle the getaway.

“The Italian Job” is an iconic British film featuring some of the greats of British cinema. Everything about the film is British from the (frequent) humour to the separatist attitude towards Europe. This is definitely a car film with amazing car chases and amazing cars – The getaway sequence has to be one of the best ever filmed with the blue, white and red (classic) Mini Coopers racing through, and on top of (!), the city of Turin. It also ends with an amazing cliff-hanger (literally), again, likely the best ever filmed and a refreshing surprise from standard Hollywood fare.

The acting is first notch with Coward's last film appearance as he ironically plays the quintessential English gentleman. Benny Hill is on top form as the eccentric professor obsessed with big women, playing to his iconic comedic character. This is one of Michael Caine's first roles and served as a springboard to an amazing career that has spanned the decades. Here he is young, and very cheeky as the young criminal Charlie Croker. The three are supported by an amazing cast of comedic and serious actors that really help lighten what could be quite a serious film (this is a heist after all) which is likely the reason why the recent remake of this film failed so spectacularly. We are meant to have fun and enjoy “The Italian Job” as it never takes itself too seriously…

“The Italian Job” has dated very little over the years and is still very watchable. Yeah, perhaps the political sensibilities are a bit much in today's world of political sensitivity but forget this, just sit back, relax and enjoy the ride!

Rating: “I have absolutely no complaints”

Review Date: 2019-08-31


Directed by: Peter Collinson

Studio: Oakhurst Productions

Year: 1969

Length: 99 minutes

Genre: Action/Adventure

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0064505/