L'or se barre

A year after I saw the remake, I finally got to see the original for the first time. This movie was released during my freshman year in college, but I certainly don't remember it ever being in any local theaters. From a 35-year hindsight perspective, it has an "Austin Powers" feel to it, primarily because of the sound track and the period-attire worn by the players. The 2003 re-make has a more imaginative yet believable plot, while this original has a sly, tongue-in-cheek undertone of humor to it. Benny Hill as the computer-geek obsessed with "large-boned women" is a real hoot! I think that sub-plot could have been played out further in the form of it creating more complications for master planner Michael Caine. Although I like "Marky" Mark Wahlberg and most of his movies, Michael Caine imbued the Charlie Croker role with more personality. The mini-Coopers are still the centerpiece of both movies, though: good chase scenes! This movie has merits that the re-make does not, and vice versa. It's hard not to compare the two, but try watching both again, as individual movies.

The Italian Job is one of the best-loved British classics ever made. Most people in my home country of Britain have seen the film many times (most of those times spent drinking tea and speaking like the queen, of course), but there's more than enough for audiences from other countries to like about this delightful thriller as well. As you almost certainly already know, The Italian Job stars Michael Caine as the criminal at the centre of the job, dubbed 'The Italian Job' (would you believe). Caine is iconic in this film; his voice and mannerisms are often imitated, and it is this film that is probably most responsible for that. The plot follows Charlie Croker (Caine), a freshly released crook that, with a tip off from a deceased friend, decides to steal £4 million from Italy. However, it's not an easy job and there are many risks involved, so the job must be astutely planned and flawlessly executed for it to work right - and it is there that the film really takes off.

The Italian Job is well remembered for two things, the first of which is the Mini's. This is the film that made Mini's cool, so as you might expect, there is a fair amount of stunt work involving the Mini, a lot of which is truly spectacular - these little cars can be seen driving up stairs, onto and across roofs, through shopping centres, flying over various chasms etc and it's all very exciting. The second thing that it is remembered for is, of course, the line - "you were only supposed to blow the bloody doors off!", which is one of the most quoted of all time. The film's impact on popular culture has been immense, and that line's impact in particular is legendary; people that don't know the film know that line, and I dare say that a lot of them quote it even. It's up there with 'I'll be back' or 'that' line from Dirty Harry. The film also highlights a lot of British culture, most notably the reaction to something going right. English patriotism is a little different to the American version - while in America, the whole country may be united under the stars and stripes, very apple pie-like; England is much more content to chant a little inside of a prison. I know which version I prefer.

I could waffle on all day about this film, but we've both got better things to do, I'm sure so I'll finish by commenting on the ending; which is, simply, sublime and a perfect way to end the film; funny, well executed and absolutely genius. Well played.

The picture narrates how a con Charlie (Michael Caine) has just left prison, and now wants to carry out a 'big job' , as he has plans to rob 4 million dollars worth of gold and being financed by Mr Bridger (Noel Coward) ,a Mafia-type boss, who is in jail . The job is to steal a lot of gold arriving in Italy from China but he needs to get a band together first. The motley thieves gang (formed by Benny Hill, Robert Powell, Tony Beckley, among others) whose mastermind is gathering specialists to pull off and execute a caper in Turin attempting to rob gold's bullion . In Italy, a clever plan is used to distract the authorities, while the raiders make their getaway in their Minis. They escape in their Mini Coopers, which are small enough to drive on sidewalks so they can make a clean get away before the traffic jam clears . This leads an excellent and unforgettable car chase sequence . Contains the legendary Mini Cooper pursuit images through Italian streets, and other dangerous ways as buildings, rivers, and sewers. After Charlie and his crew pull off a perfect heist of millions of dollars , worth of gold , occur several surprises.

This is a very amusing film dealing with a group of robbers, led by career criminal Charlie Croker stunningly performed by Michael Caine , as they create the largest traffic jam in Turin history, giving them time to pull off a theft of gold bullion. The film blends tension ,action packed ,comedy, emotion, suspense , plot twists and being pretty entertaining and bemusing . There are wild chases galore with impressive velocity car pursuits , making varied and spectacular caper s , with bounds by the streets , undergrounds , canals, highways and rooftops which lasts for several minutes . Furthermore , there's a clever ending twist as happen generally in those flicks . Actors' interpretation is nice and enjoyable . Michael Caine is cool, Margaret Blye 's delightful performance , plus enticing and attractive . Special mention the veterans Raf Vallone as Italian gangster and Noel Coward as typical British mobster .

Very good and colorful cinematography by excellent cameraman Douglas Slocombe . Catching and jolly musical score by Quincy Jones, including emotive song at the beginning by the usual Matt Monro . This moving film was well directed by Peter Collinson. Collinson's royal directorial treatment provides it with action, humor and majestic sweep . He was an expert on thriller (Sell out, Target on assassin), suspense (Spiral staircase, Ten little Indians, Open season), terror (Straight on till morning) , Warlike-adventure(You can't win ém all) , his biggest hit was this ¨The Italian job¨ , until his early death by cancer at 41 . The film will appeal to Michael Caine fans and hold-up genre enthusiasts. Rating: Highly recommended. It's remade by Italian Job (2003) directed by F. Gary Gray , while the original movie was in most part developed in Italy (Turin) in this remake the setting is in Venice and US (L.A.) , here the masterminds (Donald Sutherland and Mark Wahlberg) are gathering specialists (Seth Green ,Mos Def, Jason Statham ,Edward Norton) to pull off and execute a caper in Venice and again with the famous and legendary -for vehicle buffs at least- cars copied from previous movie . Worthwhile seeing . Better than average .

It is unfortunate that the 2003 film was released with the same name as the 1969 film because it clouds the (unsophisticated) mind with subjective judgment. For everyone who compares the two films - stop! The original was filmed in a different time period and the viewer must make a conscious effort to put him/herself in that state of mind to understand it. The film is pure entertainment, and it accomplishes that with humor and some clever stunts. As viewers, we need to be objective and aware of the differences that have arisen on so many levels as the years have passed.

For those who complain that the premise of the heist is not realistic, it was never supposed to be. Consider that if it had been intended as a realistic portrayal, the crooks would have killed those in their way and taken the loot without concern for collateral damage. The existing plot kept the mood decidedly "all in good fun."

Michael Caine made as good a performance as ever in this film. It is fun for fans of him to see the many different roles he has undertaken in his prolific career.

At the behest of Mr Bridger, Charlie Croker puts together a crew to pull of a massive job. The job is to rob an armoured car on the streets of Turin and then get away clean. The plan involves explosives a traffic jam, a football match and a load of mini coopers.

I watched this recently on TV – it was shown the night before England played Argentina in World Cup 2002 (1-0, Argentina then dropped put in the first round!). The reason it was shown was simply that it's strength is that it's a good caper movie where the Brits go over there and put one over on the Italians! It may smack of zenophobia but that's what it is!

The criminals even go so far as to use Mini's for the job – in the most famous scene of the film, making them cool for decades! The reason it was shown before the game was just to feed on the fact that national pride was high. Even if you ignore the British element (the song `self preservation society' is now even a football anthem) then it's still quite fun to watch. The build up to the job is breezy and funny with good lines, while the job itself is fanciful but great fun.

The ending must be known to everyone – but it's still good no matter how many times you see it! The cast are all good – with a range of British TV faces in there bringing a distinct British comedy. Caine is great, as are Coward and Hill but the real stars are the Mini's and the daring comedic race across Turin.

Overall this is not a great film – but it is a classic caper movie. It's made even better by the fact that it makes you proud to be British in a weird way! Say it with me my friends – `hang on lads, I've got an idea……..'