The film has been remade but the original remains a favourite (Image: 1969 Paramount Pictures)
If you’re yet to see this classic British film, there’s no time like the present as it’s set to appear on TV tonight.
The film has been praised for decades for its reflection of British culture during the 1960s era and is remembered for its iconic climactic car chase, making it a firm favourite amongst movie buffs.
Released in 1969, The Italian Job is a film starring Michael Caine as the leading character, Charlie Croker, a quick-witted professional thief who was recently released from prison. The cockney criminal forms a gang to help him successfully steal gold bullion that is being transported.
The transportation just happens to be taking place in Turin, Italy, in a truck that is completely armoured with security. However, full of confidence, the robber faces a number of setbacks along the way, as viewers question whether he’ll be able to pull off the successful multi-million-pound heist.
In addition to Caine’s legendary role, the cast is also made up of some of the greats, including Benny Hill, Raf Vallone, Tony Beckley and Noël Coward. In fact, the film marked the very end of Coward’s career, as it was his last ever role before his retirement from acting.
It features several iconic movie lines (Image: 1969 Paramount Pictures)
Making note of the casts’ joint performance, a review on Rotten Tomatoes reads: “1969’s ‘The Italian Job’ is fantastic. The film has an excellent blend of humour and heist elements, along with iconic music and lovely locations.
“The cast all do decent jobs, but it’s Michael Caine that raises it all up a few levels. Noël Coward is also good. “
After watching The Italian Job, one fan shared a glowing review on the same platform, where it has a score of 82%. They wrote: “Genuinely the most amazing British classic, which could no doubt be considered a national treasure at this point.
“While it may start slow for some, it quickly pulls you in with an amazing blend of practical effects, real driving and comedy.”
Another fan of the film shared: “The Italian Job is a pure British action/comedy; even though it drags on a little too long in the second act, the third act finishes the film with one of the best car sequences along with one of the balliest endings in cinematic history that still leaves film fans wondering what happened five decades later.”
The film was released in 1969 (Image: 1969 Paramount Pictures)
That car scene is talked about amongst critics and viewers alike decades on as a memorable moment in cinema. While cars play a pivotal role in the movie, it is the classic Mini Coopers that are the real stars of the show – one red, one white, and one blue.
They feature heavily in the huge scene, as the criminals carry the gold in a six-minute sequence of a car chase through the streets, sewers and rooftops of Turin.
The film’s popularity has led to several parodies being made over the years, including a remake in 2003, but it’s the original that is ranked favourably amongst the top 100 British films by the British Film Institute.
If you’re keen to see the action unfold for yourself, The Italian Job will be aired on BBC4 tonight at 8pm.
