Tuesday, August 17, 2010

Guilty Pleasures at the Movies: Michael Caine in "The Italian Job" (1969)


One of the most clever and enjoyable movies from the familiar genre of the suave- robber-who-can't-go-straight school of movie action, this film links up Michael Caine, Noel Coward (in his last film role), Raf Vallone, Benny Hill and Maggie Blye.  

The caper involves creating a giant traffic jam in the middle of Turin and making off with a large amount of gold that actually should be ripped off fair and square by the Italian Mafia.  A passel of Mini Coopers then just make a quick mountain swing into Switzerland to celebrate the joys of a job well done!    

Although things do not quite as well as that plan intended. 

"The Italian Job" features some great toss-away lines by Caine and a amusing performance by Coward as "Mr. Bridger" a powerful if jailed crime boss (who enjoys looking at formal portraits of Her Majesty in his private cell.)   It also has a lot of beautiful women, great Renaissance architecture, and  some great car racing stunts  and an ending in the Alps that will literally leave you hanging!     






22 comments:

  1. As much as I like Michael Caine, I've never been able to bring myself to watch this. Maybe it's time now. You make it sound very good as well as very funny. I like the phrase"stolen fair and square"! lol
    Thanks for the review. I hope Netflix has this.

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  2. This is one of my favorites! I love this movie...it's a great bit of fun...

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  3. thanks for the blast from the past

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  4. Hahahaha, yes I remember that. "You're only suppose to blow the bl**dy doors off"! Typical Caine.

    Thanks for the reminder, Doug.

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  5. Hehehehe! Yes, one of the most famous lines in British cinema!

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  6. I actually added this film to my list of all time greats only yesterday. (I'm compiling a list for Cassie's blog from last week). It is a fast-paced roller-coaster of a film, starting in style with that excellent "Days Like This" song and the tunnel explosion, and maintaining that style and a great deal of humour throughout, right up until it's unexpected, but fine, ending.

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  7. I know and what's more, it's sad, because I always wait for it! Teeheehee.

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  8. It's a movie that held up very well, Jacquie. I hope you like it.

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  9. It sure is Shedrick...it was rereleased thirty years later in the UK for theaters.

    Look great on DVD too.

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  10. There's a lot of wonderful lines in the movie...that one about the doors of course and Caine's Harry Crocker meeting with Sir Noel is a great juxtaposition in acting history.

    Thanks Cassandra.

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  11. Yes, Oakie, the movie was made when car stunts couldn't be done with special effects. It's amazing how much imagination and daring went into those scenes... and it had a humor to the characters that put it a two or three memorable cuts above the usual .... definitely one for a list of fine action films with a inimitable British flair!

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  12. Yes, some of that mini driving was pretty incredible!

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  13. I have not seen the original. I will have to see if I can find it

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  14. One of my favourites and just added to my collection on DVD.

    The remake, unusually, is good as well.

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  15. I like both films... the second one is more dramatic of course.

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  16. Yes, how many bad remakes have there been of such good films?

    I can think of a couple ones that Michael Caine was in the original of,and maybe we could have done without. This is not to knock the actors and others involved, but the fact is that times change and some films are right for their era because they shake things up.

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  17. Micheal Caine is one of my favorite older actors however Doug I have never seen this show and shall have to look into it. Cain really was different than most as he didnt stay to one area within his area of theatre. I am not sure how one would define Micheal Cain within a few words but he is right up there. I remember reading a biography about him, I forget the name of it but this was a person that really had some interesting films and adventures to say the least!

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  18. The most expensive car advert ever made Doug, great to see Michael Caine playing well, Michael Caine...as for the remake though, that has passed me by completely. The original film made quite a splash at the time, I remember it well...thanks for the reminder Doug.

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  19. Yes, Jack, I think Caine is best- known for the action-film genre, especially in the beginning and now toward the last part of his career.
    But he's also "stepped out" to play a variety of roles, like the doctor in "Cider House Rules" and the pilandering husband in Woody Allen's "Hannah and Her Sisters". And he's done a great body of work in many less memorable but still enjoyable films.

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  20. Well put AA. Rene Julienne was the fellow who organized the car stunts in that film.

    I saw a yellow Mini-Cooper at the parking lot outside the video rental shop and for some reason and started thinking about this film. (They have only been selling these efficient little cars in America for about ten years--of course we have the steering wheel on the left.)

    The remake has a very different atmosphere.

    Funny how a film or a book will go out of one's mind and then all of a sudden its just the one who need to see. Hadn't seen the original since the 80's and got a big kick out of it. And, yes, Michael Caine's mix of cockney brashness and charm seems to fit this lead part to a tee.

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