The original: 

The Italian Job (1969)

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Directed by: 

Peter Collinson  (Up the Junction, And Then There Were None, You Can’t Win ‘Em All)  

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Starring: 

Michael Caine, Noel Coward, Margaret Blye, Tony Beckley, Raf Vallone, Benny Hill;  with Robert Powell, Harry Baird, John Le Mesurier and Michael Standing 

 

What’s it about? 

Charlie Croker (Caine) is out of prison and immediately sets up his next job- the ultimate heist. 

 

Working for incarcerated Crime Boss, staunch patriot and national legend, Mr Bridger (Coward), Charlie gathers his team of eccentric ‘professionals’ who proceed to plan, practice and shout at each other. 

 

Charlie and the lads head to Italy to steal four million dollars-worth of Chinese gold from the Italian government. 

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With the Mafia waiting with fingers on their triggers, the stakes are high and the risks are huge. With everything to lose, Charlie and the team rise to the challenge, showing their opponents just how high the English end can be kept up. 

 

A comedy, thrill-ride and icon of British cinema, The Italian job is light, with touches of dark, sexy, with splashes of raunch, and exciting, with flourishes of spectacle. 

 

Quotable lines, memorable characters, an astounding car chase and one of the best cliff-hangers in all of cinema, The Italian Job is fun, fast and not in the least bit furious.  That would be untoward for Gentlemen. 

 

You’re only supposed to blow the bloody doors off! 

 

 

Well, I hope he likes spaghetti. They serve it four times a day in Italian prisons. 

 

Hang on a minute, lads. I’ve got a great idea.