The Italian Job (1969)

Alright, here's how it is. Main review takes up a huge chunk of the blog. However, if you're looking for a quick synopsis of what I think, the bottom paragraph and mark out of 5 should suffice. Enjoy the review, or better yet: go see the film and enjoy that!

Shortly after being released from prison, conman Charlie Croker (Michael Caine) learns that his partner in a job they were going to pull off has been killed. In order to exact his revenge, Charlie decides that with the help of some colleagues and an elderly prison inmate, Mr Bridger (Noël Coward) he’s going to pull off the heist and secure that he and his accomplices find themselves $4 million richer.

As The Italian Job opens, we see a beautiful red car glide in and out of the country lanes, elegantly. The grass is green, the sky is blue and Matt Monro is singing on the radio. As the red car enters a dark tunnel everything disappears when suddenly a screeching of the tires is heard and an explosion is seen. In the grimmest scene in the movie, we see the shambled wreckage of the car pushed down a hill and a man in black throws a funeral reef down after it.

In strict contrast to this, however, we are introduced to Charlie Croker, happy go lucky inmate being let out of prison. He’s a bundle of smiles as he leave, saying goodbye to everyone and generally, just being a happy chappy. Within moments of leaving however, he’s quick to realise that he is in a stolen car. This is when you learn most about Charlie. He may be happy, but he’s clever.

The Italian Job is a unique film because really, it has no depth. It’s pretty much the simplest example of sit back and enjoy as there is. Croker is the only character explored at all really, and all we learn is that, despite the quick, clever, British wit is that he’s a clever boy who loves his girl. Not that the last part matters at all. You could easily take away Charlie’s girlfriend and the plot would be completely unaffected. But that’s the beauty of The Italian Job. Rather than follow the old method which is everything happens to get you to the end of the film, there are many things that are thrown in just for fun. Whether it be the scenes with Charlie’s girlfriend, or about 90% of the 30 minute job and escape which makes up the final third of the film. Most of the pointless scenes have inspired many remarkable quotes such as:”You wouldn’t hit a fella with no trousers on, would ya?””You were only supposed to blow the bloody doors off!”
And of course, the now famous “Self Preservation Society”
Ok, so the last one was a song, but if you think I’m getting through this review without mentioning that song (Getta Bloomin’ Move On) you’re wrong.

The film, throughout is quite laidback and mellow. Hell, even during the climactic final chase scene, one of the characters actually in the mini is eating. The one thing that I think lets the film down is that the very first scene shows a darkness which isn’t exploited throughout the rest of the film. But then again, if I had my way, it’d probably be a completely different film and not one that I’d quote at every available opportunity.Generally, I feel that The Italian Job is an example of Michael Caine standing out in a fun film. And don’t get me started on the 16 minute mini chase. Quite simply, what I feel is the greatest example of Car chase choreography in the history of motion pictures.

In the end, you’ll either love the british wit or you won’t. But wortha try if you like cars, Michael Caine or cliff-hangers…

4/5