“The Italian Job”

Genre: Action Thriller
Director: Peter Collinson
Starring Cast: Michael Caine, Noel Coward, Benny Hill

Charlie Croker has just been freed from jail but, far from going straight, Charlie is engaged in setting up his next big robbery. To fund the heist, he approaches Mr. Bridger, an upper-class mob boss currently serving jail time himself, with an offer he can’t refuse.

The setting up of the robbery and the escape give car chase fans masses to get excited about, and some of the one liners have passed into cinema history. For example, “You’re only supposed to blow the bloody doors off!” It is also hard to overlook the ultimate cliff-hanger finale.

This was Michael Caine’s second film and surely helped to thrust him to fame. As the cockney criminal, he displays a magnetism and fascination that fits in well with the mischievous pursuits through the streets of Turin. The film heralds back to more innocent times when criminals could pull off a heist with a weapon and quick wit.

Adding to this sense of melancholy is Noel Coward’s brief performance as the crime boss, Mr. Bridger. This captivating performance was a brilliant curtain call to an illustrious career. It would be remiss not to mention Benny Hill, whose performance is full of classic British humour. He is wisely cast as a professor with a penchant for the larger lady.

Then there is the question of the car. A fine product placement triumph or smart use of a British motoring icon, Either way there is no escaping the obvious: the Mini Coopers are the genuine stars of “The Italian Job.”