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Michael Caine, Noel Coward, Benny Hill, Raf Vallone, Tony Beckley ... see more see more... , Rossano Brazzi , Margaret Blye , Irene Handl , John Le Mesurier , Graham Payn , Michael Standing , Harry Baird , Robert Rietty , Simon Dee , Timothy Bateson , John Clive , Arnold Diamond , Fred Emney , John Forgeham , Lelia Goldoni , Alastair Hunter , George Innes , Frank Jarvis , Frank Kelly , Valerie Leon , Henry McGee , Robert Powell , Renato Romano , David Kelly , Derek Ware , John Louis Mansi , John Morris

The quintessential British caper film of the 1960s, The Italian Job is a flashy, fast romp that chases a team of career criminals throughout one of the biggest international gold heists in history. Mi... read more read more...chael Caine is Charlie Croker, a stylish robber and skirt-chaser just out of British prison. Shunning rehabilitation for recidivism, Croker takes over "The Italian Job," a complicated plan to hijack gold bullion from Italy -- right from underneath the noses of the Italian Police and the Mafia. The job, whose original mastermind was murdered, clearly requires the sponsorship of a richer, more established criminal than Croker. He turns to the auspices of the eccentric Mr. Bridger (Noël Coward in his last film role), a suave, regal, incarcerated English crime boss with a peculiar fascination with the Queen. Bridger provides Croker with a quirky group of Britain's most infamous computer hackers (including a lascivious Benny Hill), bank robbers, hijackers, and getaway drivers -- the ex-con is soon well on his way to relieving Italy of the gold. ~ Aubry Anne D'Arminio, Rovi

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82% liked it

69,027 ratings

Critics

84% liked it

25 critics

PG, 1 hr. 39 min.

Directed by: Peter Collinson

Release Date: January 1, 1969

Keywords: heist, caper

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DVD Release Date: October 7, 2003

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Stats: 3,422 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (3,422)

  • danperry17
    December 22, 2011
    danperry17
    Beautifully shot for its time, The (Original) Italian Job is a wacky caper flick that, for better or for worse, is about 50 per cent driving scenes. There are several good laughs, though, and the formula is simple. Plan the heist, carry out the heist. Plus, they risk a run-in wit... read moreh the mafia, and after glorious scenes of a Ferrari driving through the Alps in the opening, then being thrown off a cliff, you'll be hooked. The "chase" does dull the latter half of the film, but this is clearly a film that set a template, and one that's worth checking out... I admit that I'm now curious to see the 2000s remake.
  • TheDudeLebowski65
    December 14, 2011
    TheDudeLebowski65
    Peter Collinson's The Italian Job is an action classic that is pretty good for what it is, but is far from perfect. Collinson has directed a good action film here, but at times, the film suffers from being too slow, and some may think it takes too long to get to the point. Fortun... read moreately the great cast here saves this film, and makes The Italian Job a very exciting picture despite the fact that it takes a bit too long in some places. Despite this, The Italian Job is a good heist flick, and the cast here makes the difference. Michael Caine is great in the lead role of Charlie Crocker, and his performance really brings the film up. The Italian Job is a thrilling film with some great chase sequences. The chase sequence is one of the most exciting moments of the film, and is one of the ultimate classic action heist scenes ever filmed. This film may be imperfect at times, but it does deliver some great action and some strong performances. As far as I'm concerned, but this film and the remake are great. I would say that the remake sucks, because I did enjoy it, but all I'll say is that both films are in a league of their own. This is still a classic little film that despite its imperfections is entertaining and with the chase at the end, it makes this film worth watching. Overall I enjoyed both this classic and the remake, both films had a unique twist on the heist genre, and both are great additions to the crime genre. The Italian Job is a must see for every action buff.
  • FrizzDrop
    August 31, 2011
    FrizzDrop
    The Italian Job is one of the most beloved and lauded crime capers in British history, and there are times when this is rightly so. Still, the first hour drags so much with the over explanation and boring character development you wonder why anyone would sit through the next thir... read morety minutes. There is a great deal of British wit and in posterity a lot of thought put into this film, and watching can let you better understand the action that unfolds later on. Still, Cain's character of lifetime criminal Charlie Croker is a bland playboy with little interesting characteristics, like a down and out Alfie. Noel Coward was a pleasant surprise on the other hand, playing an imprisoned mob leader controlling everything from his jail cell to the awe of the inmates and the honor of the prison guards. His devilish grin and villainous demeanor made for an interesting twist among the bland bunch of criminals. Even comedian Benny Hill isn't given anything to work with, though he was wildly popular at the time. Still, the heist itself makes up for a lot of the film's imperfections. Though the amount of time it takes to get there is tremendously annoying, the actual choreography of the extensive car chase was inspiring. Because we're not directly given the ensuing plan it's this gigantic surprise, the sheer genius of everything coalescing together with so much ease and suave sophistication, that caper is the only word strong enough to describe it. Warning, of course, that you will compare to Ocean's 11 throughout.
  • aquateen2
    August 16, 2011
    aquateen2
    This classic film was ruined 8 years ago by a pointless remake that had nothing to do with the original classic that is The Italian Job (1969). A film that made Michael Caine famous is among my favorite films because of its fantastic action sequences considering the films budget ... read moreand its outrageous comedy. It's famous car chase involving the 3 mini coopers is hilarious and is always a spectacle to watch. The Italian Job has hilarious wit and a humourous style that could be loved by almost anyone.
  • ythelastman89
    June 14, 2011
    ythelastman89
    I'm just not a fan of this at all. It has some good ideas and interesting choices in terms of storytelling, but it's just mostly boring. There's very little chances open for you to enjoy any of the characters, except for Michael Caine. However, he is reduced to nothing more than ... read morean outrageous stereotype and half of the time he doesn't make any sense; his motivation is all over the place. This does have a rightfully famous mini cooper chase, but it's not really anything amazing. Why this movie has such a good reputation is beyond me. It just thrives on mediocre storytelling, film making and acting. It's certainly not a classic in my opinion.
  • deano
    March 31, 2011
    deano
    This 1969 crime caper boasts the ultimate car chase - with no computer trickery.
    The long set-up is not spectacular, with dodgy pop songs and quaint, lariat humour. But the getaway action is marvellous as red, white and blue Minis leap across roofs and bounce down stairs.
  • ajv2688
    December 12, 2010
    ajv2688
    This is the original Italian Job film, with a great British cast, I really loved Caine in this movie especially. The movie has a lot of good action and excitement and comedy. The only problem is the ending, it's horrible, that's the only part that I hate, though. Overall it's ... read morea good movie, a lot better than the remake.
  • jjnxn
    September 12, 2010
    jjnxn
    Nice location work and decent performances but compared to the zippy remake rather prosaic with a bizarre finale.
  • matertenebraum
    June 19, 2010
    matertenebraum
    In a sense I was disappointed to find that I actually liked The Italian Job. For after decades of imitations and student new-lad pub bores crowbarring "You're only supposed to blow the bloody doors off!" into conversation, I was all prepared to hate it.

    Yet The Italian Job is a ... read moregood film. A very good film in fact. First-class direction, all pans and upshot angles, and slyly political, though its "Cool Britannia" ethos almost seems to parody devotees of the Union Jack. Anyone watching this film for reconfirmation of the Empire is mistaken, though the team's final downfall notably comes from the only non-Caucasian member.

    The humour is self-conscious, but never so that it goes too far; it's always witty. Michael Caine is the archetype Michael Caine, all pointing finger and raised-voice declarations, the version mimics love to portray. Noël Coward is able support in a straightish role, though the wonderful Benny Hill parodies his own image, thus diluting his already fine (And misunderstood) ironic take on the sexual pervert.

    Screen realism is not an issue here, with a Mafia cameo who are hardly Don Corleone. Women are also marginalised, with only Maggie Blye getting a largish role as Caine's girlfriend, Lorna. This is the same girlfriend who hires six women to help celebrate his release from prison, and refers to fellow womankind as "birds". Yet while the film is a "boys only" club, it's far from a testosterone-led car chase, as Coward's appearance should attest. And what makes the final climatic chase so rewarding is that it's carefully, and intelligently, set up. The film is metaphorical where you wouldn't expect it to be, and well-acted all round.

    All of which leaves me struggling for a way to end this review. Hang on a minute, lads, I've got an idea -
  • skactopus
    May 3, 2010
    skactopus
    The Italian Job from Peter Collinson isn't exactly a gem of a film; nevertheless, it finds a way to entertain.

    For a picture that is just under 1 hour and 40 minutes, there is enough going on to fill up the opening to the end credits. The problem, however, is that the s

    ... read moretory focuses its attention on elements of the film that don't need focusing on. Well, not so long anyway.

    There is a bunch of character buildup in the early going, which isn't a bad thing, although it is a bit much and on some of the wrong characters. This in turn leaves little room for in depth details regarding the planning of the heist. A lot unveils during the heist itself.

    The mini cooper escape sequence isn't breathtaking, but it is still amusing to observe, as the chase takes the coopers through various unconventional places.

    Michael Caine and Noel Coward are the only two actors worth noting. Benny Hill does have a character with strange traits, but in the grand scheme of things, he doesn't do much. To be more specific, there isn't enough time spent on his preparations for the heist.

    Check out the lively times as The Italian Job comes to a conclusion with a cliff hanger. "Hang on a minute lads. I've got a great idea." Zoom out.

View All The Italian Job Reviews

Critic Reviews

April 21, 2010
TIME Magazine

Caine and Coward play a splendid game of verbal tennis, but by the final reel the laughs are lost in an anthology of dull and deafening car chases. Full Review

Variety Staff
May 6, 2008
Variety Staff, Variety

The cast does its stuff to good effect. Coward, as the highly patriotic, business-like master crook, brings all his imperturbable sense of irony and comedy to his role. Full Review

Vincent Canby
May 9, 2005
Vincent Canby, New York Times

The film is technically sophisticated and emotionally retarded. Full Review

March 5, 2008
TV Guide's Movie Guide

The gold is then stashed in a bus, and the predictable chase ensues. Full Review

March 5, 2008
Empire Magazine

As a film, The Italian Job is hardly a work of unalloyed genius; but as a reminder of the time when Britannia really was cool, it's peerless. Full Review

June 24, 2006
Time Out

As a modest fun movie, it works, much helped by deep casting contrasts and a nice sense of absurd proportions. Full Review

Stefan Birgir Stefansson
May 30, 2005
Stefan Birgir Stefansson, sbs.is

Worthy simply for Benny Hill and his love for "big ladies"

Ken Hanke
February 10, 2005
Ken Hanke, Mountain Xpress (Asheville, NC)

Superior crime caper that's a little too pleased with itself, but only a little.

Scott Weinberg
March 31, 2004
Scott Weinberg, eFilmCritic.com

It's the sort of smoothly entertaining and slyly intelligent crowd-pleasing spectacle that will never go out of style. Full Review

Jon Niccum
March 12, 2004
Jon Niccum, Lawrence Journal-World

Overrated heist film whose climactic chase scene is one of its few redeeming values.

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