The Italian Job (1969)
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A recently released prisoner assembles a team to pull off a high-stakes heist of gold bullion in the streets of Turin.
The story
After being released from prison, Cockney criminal Charlie Croker is tasked by the widow of a murdered thief to carry out his final masterpiece: stealing $4 million in gold bullion from an armored convoy in Turin, Italy. Croker recruits a specialized team, including a computer expert and a group of drivers, and secures backing from a British crime lord. The team must navigate the complexities of the heist while evading the local Mafia, who view the theft of Italian gold as a personal affront. The operation involves sabotaging the city's traffic control system to create a massive traffic jam, allowing the crew to intercept the convoy and escape with the loot.
Full plot (contains spoilers)
Following the death of thief Roger Beckerman, his friend Charlie Croker is recruited by Beckerman's widow to execute a heist of $4 million in gold bullion from a convoy in Turin. Croker secures funding from crime lord Mr. Bridger and assembles a team including a computer expert, a getaway driver, and others. The team travels through the Alps, where they are warned by the Mafia but proceed to Turin. They sabotage the city's traffic control system, causing a massive jam that allows them to intercept the convoy and steal the gold. The crew escapes Turin in Mini Coopers, navigating a complex route through sewers and rooftops to evade police and the Mafia. They eventually hide the cars and the gold in a coach. During a celebration in the Alps, the coach loses control and teeters over a cliff. The film ends on a cliffhanger as the gold slides toward the edge and Croker suggests a 'great idea' to save it.
- First release year
- 1969
- Runtime (minutes)
- 99
- Production countries
- United Kingdom
- Original languages
- English
- Directors
- Peter Collinson
- Writers
- Troy Kennedy Martin · writer
- Cast and characters
- Michael Caine · Charlie Croker; Noël Coward · Mr. Bridger; Benny Hill · Professor Simon Peach; Raf Vallone · Altabani; Tony Beckley · Camp Freddie; Rossano Brazzi · Roger Beckerman; Maggie Blye · Lorna
- Genres
- comedy; caper; crime; action
- Themes
- Heist; Brotherhood; Risk; Technological Sabotage
- Tone and mood
- Action; Tense; Whimsical
- Premise and plot tags
- Caper; Car Chase; Crime; Heist
- Reception
- The film was a success upon release, earning critical acclaim for its performances, its depiction of British culture, and its climactic car chase. It became a cult symbol of British filmography and is highly regarded for its atmosphere and iconic lines.
- Reported review scores
- Rotten Tomatoes · score: 82% · scale: percentage · review count: 33; Metacritic · score: 70% · scale: percentage · review count: 10
- Production trivia
- The film features a never-resolved cliffhanger ending.; The car chase was partially filmed as a dance between the Minis and police cars with a full orchestra playing 'The Blue Danube'.; The film was adapted into a video game in 2001 and a remake in 2003.
Film metadata comes from the open sources listed in Credits & Contact. Catalogue details may be incomplete.
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