The Italian Job (2003)

Director:

F. Gary Gray

Writers (WGA):

Troy Kennedy-Martin (1969 screenplay)
Donna Powers (screenplay) ...

Release Date:

30 May 2003 (USA)

Genre:

Action | Crime | Thriller

Tagline:

Steal The Day 5.30.03

Plot:

Thieves plan to pull off the heist of their lives by creating Los Angeles' largest ever traffic jam.

Plot Keywords:

Gold | Heist | Traffic Jam | Venice Italy | Italy

Awards:

5 wins & 6 nominations

Cast

Mark Wahlberg	...	Charlie Croker
Charlize Theron	...	Stella Bridger
Donald Sutherland	...	John Bridger
Jason Statham	...	Handsome Rob
Seth Green	...	Lyle
Mos Def	...	Left Ear
Edward Norton	...	Steve
Fausto Callegarini	...	Italian Guard
Stefano Petronelli	...	Garbageman / Thug
Fabio Scarpa	...	Garbageman / Thug
Cristiano Bonora	...	Garbageman / Thug
Tiberio Greco	...	Garbageman / Thug
Jimmy Shubert	...	First Detective
Tammi Cubilette	...	Second Detective
Mary Portser	...	Stella's Receptionist

Also Known As:

Braquage à l'italienne (France)

MPAA:

Rated PG-13 for violence and some language.

Runtime:

111 min

Country:

USA | France | UK

Language:

English | Russian | Italian

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

DTS | Dolby Digital

Certification:

Switzerland:14 (canton of Zurich) | Iceland:10 | Iceland:12 (video rating) | Malaysia:18PL | South Korea:15 | Philippines:R-18 | Argentina:13 | Australia:M | Brazil:12 | Canada:14A | Denmark:11 | Finland:K-11 | Germany:12 | Hong Kong:IIB | Netherlands:12 | New Zealand:M | Norway:11 | Peru:14 | Singapore:PG | Spain:7 | Sweden:11 | Switzerland:10 (canton of Geneva) | Switzerland:10 (canton of Vaud) | Switzerland:12 (canton of the Grisons) | UK:12A (cut) | UK:12 (video rating) (cut) | USA:PG-13 (certificate #39929)

Filming Locations:

Bunker Hill, Downtown, Los Angeles, California, USA

Company:

Paramount Pictures

Trivia:

The Metro tunnel set was so huge that it wouldn't fit in any soundstage in Los Angeles. It was built in the hangar where the first space shuttle was assembled. They used every inch available in that hangar.

Goofs:

Revealing mistakes: During many of the Mini interior shots the big speedometer in the center of the dashboard shows two red lights on. One of these shows the handbrake is on whilst they are driving.

Quotes:

[first lines]
Stella: [on the phone] Hello.
John Bridger: [on the phone] Hello, sweetie.
Stella: [on the phone] Daddy, it's early.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in Game Over: 'Resident Evil' Reanimated (2004) (V)

Soundtrack:

Bloody Fingers

Nothing like as new and inspiring as the 1969 original

The original 1969 film offered something different. Set mostly in Turin-Italy the film is about a group of clumsy English villains who set out to grab a stash of gold bullion during transit. They find themselves up against it with both the Mafia and the Italian authorities. Much of the film is very typically British from the cast and their accents to the Austin Mini cars (red, white and blue with GB stickers on the back!).

This is one of the few films I can think of that doesn't have a happy ending but it does have the feel good factor and an excellent cliff hanger to boot. When viewed today it obviously lacks some of the refinements we have come to expect from the typical Hollywood blockbuster, some of the acting and camera shots are laughable. However 35 years on it still hold it's own and has many merits including...

Good music Lovely cars 60's Fashion Stunning backdrops Good stunts Original and plausible plot Memorable cliff hanger

A very British film with plenty of character 8/10

The new film is very different to the original movie. In fact most of the good features that the original had going for it were lost. In it's place is a blatant marketing exercise for the new BMW mini mixed in with some good but uninspiring action sequences. The new film starts in Italy but then moves to the U.S. which for me misses the point slightly. I found that the plot involving the traffic light control method used in the new film to be rather geeky and unbelievable at best (another feature that worked better in the old film).

Despite it's faults the film contains some nice action sequences and is watchable (although one viewing is more than enough).

If I hadn't already seen it all before, by itself this might be a great film. However I have and this isn't. 5/10