The Italian Job (1969)
Charlie's got a 'job' to do. Having just left prison he finds one of his friends has attempted a high-risk job in Torino, Italy, right under the nose of the mafia. Charlie's friend doesn't get very far, so Charlie takes over the 'job'. Using three Mini Coopers, a couple of Jaguars, and a bus, he hopes to bring Torino to a standstill, steal a fortune in gold and escape in the chaos.
Details
Budget
$3,000,000
Rating
7/10 (770 votes)
Status
Released
Production Companies
Paramount Pictures, Oakhurst Productions
About The Italian Job
The 1969 film "The Italian Job" is a crime comedy with action and thriller elements. It centers on Charlie Croker, who takes over a gold heist in Turin, Italy, after a friend's attempt fails. The plan involves disrupting the city's traffic with three Mini Coopers, Jaguars, and a bus to steal the gold and escape amidst the chaos.
The movie is known for its car chase sequences, particularly those featuring the Mini Coopers. The plot follows a master thief navigating a complex robbery while contending with the mafia. The narrative builds around the execution of this elaborate caper, from its conception in prison to its on-the-ground challenges.
While the film has a rating of 7.2 on IMDb and an 82% score on Rotten Tomatoes, some viewers have noted a slow pace in its initial acts. Despite this, the film's climactic car chase and Michael Caine's performance as Charlie Croker are frequently cited as its standout features, contributing to its status as a memorable heist film.
Why you might be searching for The Italian Job
People are often searching for details related to the film's iconic car chases, particularly those involving the Mini Coopers and the traffic jam in Turin. Specific lines from the movie and scenes like the bus teetering off a cliff also drive searches. The involvement of Michael Caine and the film's general premise as a classic caper movie are other common search interests.
What reviewers are saying
One viewer found that while Michael Caine's performance and the car chase scenes in the final act were highlights, the film's setup and second act felt slow and did not maintain their engagement.
Read the full reviewAnother reviewer noted that Michael Caine's portrayal of Charlie Croker is excellent, particularly in the context of the film's audacious gold robbery plan in Turin, which includes a memorable car chase set to music by Quincy Jones.
Read the full reviewFrequently Asked Questions
Common questions about finding and identifying movies
You can stream *The Italian Job* on Netflix or Hoopla. The film is also available to rent or purchase on platforms like Amazon Video, Apple TV, and Fandango at Home.
*The Italian Job* is not based on a true story. It is a 1969 British comedy caper film with an original screenplay written by Troy Kennedy Martin.
At the end of *The Italian Job*, Charlie Croker and his crew successfully steal gold bullion and load it onto a bus, but the bus loses control and ends up precariously teetering over a cliff. The crew attempts to counterbalance the gold by moving to the front of the bus, and the film ends with Charlie saying, "Hang on a minute lads. I've got a great idea." This literal cliffhanger was intentionally created by producer Michael Deeley, who was unsatisfied with other written endings and wanted to leave open the possibility of a sequel. While a definitive resolution isn't provided, Michael Caine, who plays Charlie Croker, has shared an idea for how the ending would have played out, involving the bus bouncing back up but the gold falling into the hands of the Mafia below. The ending is often seen as a comedic punchline or a parable about the consequences of greed, where the crew can save themselves or the gold, but not both.
*The Italian Job* is widely considered a classic and holds an 82% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes, with a critical consensus describing it as "a wildly fun romp that epitomizes the height of Britannia style." Critics often praise the performances by Michael Caine and Noël Coward, the film's reflection of 1960s British culture, and its climactic car chase. Many consider it an iconic British film.