The Italian Job (1969)

User Rating:

7.3/10   

Director:

Peter Collinson

Writer:

Troy Kennedy-Martin (written by)

Release Date:

3 September 1969 (USA)

Genre:

Action | Comedy | Crime

Tagline:

Introducing the plans for a new business venture: "The Italian Job."

Plot:

Comic caper movie about a plan to steal a gold shipment from the streets of Turin by creating a traffic jam.

Plot Keywords:

Prison | Gold | Sewer | Car Chase | Mini Cooper

Awards:

Nominated for Golden Globe.

Cast

Michael Caine	...	Charlie Croker
Noel Coward	...	Mr. Bridger (as Noël Coward)
Benny Hill	...	Professor Simon Peach
Raf Vallone	...	Altabani
Tony Beckley	...	Freddie
Rossano Brazzi	...	Beckerman
Margaret Blye	...	Lorna (as Maggie Blye)
Irene Handl	...	Miss Peach
John Le Mesurier	...	Governor
Fred Emney	...	Birkinshaw
John Clive	...	Garage Manager
Graham Payn	...	Keats
Michael Standing	...	Arthur
Stanley Caine	...	Coco
Barry Cox	...	Chris
Harry Baird	...	Big William
George Innes	...	Bill Bailey
John Forgeham	...	Frank
Robert Powell	...	Yellow
Derek Ware	...	Rozzer
Frank Jarvis	...	Roger
David Salamone	...	Dominic
Richard Essome	...	Tony
Mario Valgoi	...	Manzo
Renato Romano	...	Cosca
Franco Novelli	...	Altabani's Driver
Robert Rietty	...	Police Chief
Timothy Bateson	...	Dentist
David Kelly	...	Vicar
Arnold Diamond	...	Senior Computer Room Official
Simon Dee	...	Shirtmaker
Alastair Hunter	...	Warder (Cinema) (as Alistair Hunter)
Lana Gatto	...	Mrs. Cosca
John Morris	...	Standin
Louis Mansi	...	Computer Room Official
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Hazel Collinson	...	Blonde scrubber at Diner party (uncredited)
Lelia Goldoni	...	Mrs. Beckerman (uncredited)
Frank Kelly	...	Prisoner in cell (uncredited)
Valerie Leon	...	Receptionist, Royal Lancaster (uncredited)
Henry McGee	...	Tailor (uncredited)

Directed by
Peter Collinson

Writing credits (in alphabetical order)
Troy Kennedy-Martin		written by (as Troy Kennedy Martin)

Produced by
Michael Deeley	....	producer
Robert Porter	....	associate producer (as Bob Porter)
Stanley Baker	....	producer (uncredited)

Original Music by
Quincy Jones

Cinematography by
Douglas Slocombe		(director of photography)

Film Editing by
John Trumper

Casting by
Paul Lee Lander

Production Design by
Disley Jones

Art Direction by
Michael Knight

Makeup Department
Gordon Bond	....	chief hair stylist
Freddie Williamson	....	chief makeup artist

Production Management
Derek Kavanagh	....	production manager
Giorgio Migliarini	....	production supervisor: Italy

Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
David Munro	....	assistant director: second unit
Mauro Sacripante	....	assistant director: Italy
Scott Wodehouse	....	assistant director
Philip Wrestler	....	second unit director (as Phillip Wrestler)
John Glen	....	second unit director (uncredited)
Antal Kovacs	....	second unit director (uncredited)

Art Department
Terry Apsey	....	construction manager

Sound Department
John Aldred	....	sound mixer
John Glen	....	additional sound editor
Gerry Humphreys	....	dubbing mixer
Stephen Warwick	....	sound editor

Special Effects by
Pat Moore	....	special effects

Stunts
Claude Carliez	....	stunts (uncredited)
Rémy Julienne	....	stunt coordinator (uncredited)
Rémy Julienne	....	stunt driver (uncredited)
Rémy Julienne	....	stunts (uncredited)
Nosher Powell	....	stunts (uncredited)
Robin Webb	....	stunts (uncredited)

Camera and Electrical Department
Ronnie Maasz	....	director of photography: second unit
Norman Warwick	....	camera operator: second unit
Chic Waterson	....	camera operator
Michael Browne	....	gaffer (uncredited)
David Wynn-Jones	....	clapper loader (uncredited)

Costume and Wardrobe Department
Dulcie Midwinter	....	wardrobe supervisor
Roy Ponting	....	wardrobe master

Music Department
Keith Grant	....	music scoring engineer (uncredited)

Other crew
Barbara Allen	....	production secretary
Al Burgess	....	location manager
Douglas Hayward	....	suits: Mr. Caine
Helen Whitson	....	continuity

Production Companies

• Oakhurst Productions

Distributors

• Paramount British Pictures (1969) (UK) (theatrical)
• Paramount Pictures (1969) (USA) (theatrical)
• American Broadcasting Company (ABC) (1974) (USA) (TV)
• United International Pictures (UIP) (1999) (UK) (theatrical) (re-release)
• Paramount Home Entertainment (2002) (UK) (DVD)
• Paramount Home Video (2003) (USA) (DVD)
• Hollydan Works (2004) (Yugoslavia) (DVD)
• Paramount Home Entertainment (2004) (Netherlands) (DVD)
• CIC Video (1988) (UK) (VHS) (pan/scan)
• CIC Vídeo (Brazil) (video)

Other Companies

• Bermans  costumes
• Fiat  special thanks
• L'Équipe Rémy Julienne  stunt driving
• Lee Lighting  grip and lighting equipment
• Olympic Studios  music scoring

Runtime:

99 min

Country:

UK

Language:

English | Italian

Color:

Color (Eastmancolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

South Korea:15 | UK:PG (video rating) (1988) | Australia:PG | Canada:PG | Finland:K-11 (DVD rating) | Finland:K-12 (original rating) | Ireland:PG | Netherlands:12 | Norway:15 | Norway:16 (cinema version) | Singapore:PG | Sweden:11 | UK:U (original rating) | USA:G | West Germany:12

Filming Locations:

Alembic House - 93 Albert Embankment, Vauxhall, London, England, UK

Company:

Oakhurst Productions

Trivia:

They filmed a scene for part of the Mini Cooper chase sequence on an ice rink, with the cars gliding past each other to the accompaniment of Strauss's "The Blue Danube". The scene was cut for timing reasons, but was included in the Channel 4 documentary "The Mini Job" which later appeared on the Special Edition video. All DVD releases include the scene as an extra feature.

Goofs:

Continuity: The Coopers have only one person in them when driven through the tunnels, when close-ups show them having passengers.

Quotes:

[Arthur blows up a truck]
Charlie Croker: You're only supposed to blow the bloody doors off!

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "World of Pub: Caine (#1.5)" (2001)

Soundtrack:

The British Grenadiers

" Everyone in the world is bent! "

Charlie Croker (Michael Caine) is a lovable, fashionable convict who despite having served five years in prison, is immediately engaged to accepting an "Italian Job" in Italy and in the process, completing the intricate crime of a lifetime. A short but very interesting film about an Italian town called Turin, is sent to him by a good friend and marked man called Beckerman (Rossano Brazzi). The film instructs Croker to take the accumulated plans, get a financial backer and pull off what Beckerman describes as a $4,000,000 gold robbery, through a traffic jam. The minor problems are explained but easily overcome by Bekerman's meticulous plans. However, the main obstacles to the bank heist are no trivial matter. Croker will be up against the highly sophisticated armored convoy with its armed guards, the 'special security' system of the bank, and an entire city in Chaos. Additionally the shipment will be protected by the biggest obstacle of all The Mafia (Raf Vallone). They warn Charlie, if he attempts to steal the gold, he will be sent back to England in a pine box. To his credit, Charlie wins over the confidence of England's version of the Godfather, Mr. Bridger (Noel Coward who is superb.) To further aid Croker, he assembles an odd assortment of characters such as Professor Simon Peach. (Benny Hill who is wonderful) and Stanley Cain as Coco. The entire film is dedicated to the fact that even the most secure treasures can be stolen. However, hanging onto them, crossing the Alps and getting back home is subject to the Law of Gravity. A serious and comic film destined to become a classic, especially with it's haunting theme. ****