The Italian Job
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Movie Reviews of The Italian Job
Movie Review: Classic crime caper from the 60's
Summary: 5 Stars
The 60's Italian Job is well known to British audiences, for whom the movie is as regular a fixture of Christmas television scheduling as James Bond films, The Great Escape and the Queen's speech. Negative reviews by US viewers are as much a result of the lack of a culture context and unfamiliarity with many of the ensemble cast. The film has aged well and provides an amusing, if rather rose-tinted, snapshot of 60's British culture.
The cast includes Noel Coward as Mr Bridger, the criminal mastermind, and Michael Caine as the foppish Charlie Croker. British audiences will recognise a host of well known actors in cameo roles, including Benny Hill and John Le Mesurier.
The stars of the film though are undoubtedly the cars. Amusingly, the array of 60's supercars including a Lamborghini Muira, E-Type Jaguars and Charlie's Aston Martin are overshadowing by the three Mini Coopers which lead the Italian police on an amazing car chase through Turin. Remy Julienne and his stunt driving team produced one of the most amazing and well known, at least to British audiences, car chases on film. Arguably it still rates as one of the best car chase sequences and all the more so because the stunts were actually filmed on location in Turin (and Coventry in the case of the sewer scenes) and in cars with minimal modifications.
There are many memorable moments in the movie beyond the Mini Cooper sequence. Caine's 'blow the doors off', Benny Hill's larger lady obsessed Professor Peach on the tram in Turin and the 'hanging' ending stick out in my mind.
The extra features on the DVD are good but not truly outstanding. The 'Making Of' documentary provides a number of interesting insights into the movie. The commentary overlay track is a little stilted but worth a listen. There is only really one deleted scene, the rather amazing 'Blue Danube' car ballet on ice.
In summary, this is a true British classic with a great cast, score and storyline. A nice snapshot of 60's London, a fantastic (at least for UK audiences) cast and the superb car chase scene make this one to buy. The Hollywood remake, whilst not a bad movie in its own right, shares only the title, a storyline based on a gold heist and the updated BMW Mini with the original.
And for anyone wondering about the original Mini's, they really are that small and that much fun to drive.
Movie Review: Alfie on the job
Summary: 5 Stars
A British institution (shown there on TV almost every Christmas) this is a movie not to be taken seriously but with a pinch of salt. If you don't understand that statement then forget it! Be aware - especially if you have seen the remake first - that this is a comedy first and foremost with some classic chase scenes. Some reviewers complain that it is dated, well that because it is - get over it this and enjoy a 60's romp with Michael Caine in full Alfie mode. This is not a film for those looking for social messages, deep meaning or plot cohesion, but one for those appreciative of British humor, ingenious car chases and who do not get hung up over the (nowadays) politically incorrect cultural stereotypes. There are some great lines ("the only way to get through it is, we all work together as a team - and that means you do everything I say" ) and the special features are worthwhile checking out. Could be considered more of a lads' movie but goes down great with kids too. Get your skates on mate, grab a beer, sit back and enjoy.Movie Review: This is what all the fuss was about?
Summary: 1 Stars
I'd read about this movie for years in my British movie magazines. Apparently it's an institution over there. I can't imagine why. It's a badly dated film that plods along without any discernable humor or wit. Most of the dialogue is just characters endlessly explaining the plot, which still makes little sense despite all this exposition.
The direction is badly paced and unfocused and the actors are eithed adrift or worse, like the talentless girl who plays Caine's girlfriend and sounds like she's reading her lines off cuecards while stoned. Yes she's gorgeous, but couldn't they have found a girl who could look good and also believably portray a human being.
I wanted to turn this thing off by ten minutes in, but forced myself to keep it on in hopes that it would improve. It didn't. Avoid this at all costs, it's an hour and a half of your life you'll never get back.
Movie Review: Stick with the original....no amateur remakes for me
Summary: 4 Stars
Much like remaking "Ocean's 11", today's Hollywood not only can't come up with original titles, but their ability to better the original movies they are remaking is lacking as well.
The original "Italian Job" is a classic. Paramount has also done an admirable job in releasing this DVD....COMPLETE with some GREAT deleted scenes (the mini ballet has to be seen to be believed).
Looking for a good heist movie. Ignore the tripe coming out of Hollywood today, and go for the originals...."The Italian Job" and "Ocean's 11". Now THAT'S entertainment.
Movie Review: A Classic Comedy Heist.
Summary: 4 Stars
A classic film genre that hasn't seen much action in the past few decades is the heist film. The re-imagining of OCEAN'S 11 did a nice job as did the re-imagining of THE ITALIAN JOB. Unfortunately, even those both of those movies had some great elements, neither one was original enough to even come up with their own title.
The original THE ITALIAN JOB, on the other hand, was made during an era when movies still reeked of originality. In the film, Charlie Croker (Michael Caine) is released from prison after having served his time. He receives an interesting message from a close friend of his. His friend was in the process of steeling over 4 million dollars in gold right under the noses of the Italian mafia. Unfortunately, the mafia found out about the gig and had him killed. Before he was killed, he had set a plan in motion so that Charlie could take over the operation.
Charlie agrees to do the job, but he needs some serious financing. So, Charlie breaks into the prison to visit Mr. Bridger (Noel Coward), one of the most wealthy and well-respected crooks in England. At first Bridger dismisses Charlie's request and has some of his goons pay him a visit. Then he finds out exactly how much is at stake and who they will be stealing the money from. He has a change of heart and give Charlie the money he needs. From there it's one misadventure and adventure after another leading from England to Italy, past mafia goons, to the World Cup, and over some mountains involving $4 million dollars in gold bars and three red, white, and blue Mini-Coopers.
The casting and acting in THE ITALIAN JOB is some of the most original in Hollywood history. Michael Caine was not yet a huge star, but had just finished filming ALFIE when he was cast in THE ITALIAN JOB. His role as Charlie Croker made him an international movie sensation. Noel Coward was specially picked by director Peter Collinson because of Coward's generosity to Collinson in his youth. The studio had originally wanted Nicol Williamson, but Collinson swore by Coward. Coward's prescence as the lordly Mr. Bridger added a touch of class to the movie. Then there's Benny Hill, playing the large women loving Professor Simon Peach. The Benny Hill show had yet to be broadcast, but even in the supporting role of Professor Peach, Hill illustrates his connection to bawdiness.
The movie includes a famous song entitled "The Self Preservation Society" which, in large part because of this movie, has become a favorite song played in English football (soccer) matches. Besides that famous song, there's also several great pieces of dialogue including Michael Caine's line, "You're only supposed to blow the bloody doors off!" which was voted the most memorable film line of all time in a 2003 movie poll.
The final scene in THE ITALIAN JOB remains as one of the most memorable, yet most frustrating in all of movie history. The film ends without any resolve because the studio had hoped to make a sequel, but the sequel never came. It's a dirty shame, really, because this is one movie that a sequel would have added something to the original.
The DVD includes the famous deleting "walzing Minis" scene, a commentary track, the original trailers, and a documentary. The commentary track is rather interesting to listen along with, but the documentary (chopped into three parts) is incredibly boring!