Pop Culture Movies and More: The Italian Job (1969)

Charlie has a "job" to do. Having just left prison, he finds one of his friends has attempted a high-risk job in Italy right under the nose of the Mafia. The job is to steal four million dollars worth of gold arriving in Italy from China. Charlie's friend doesn't get very far, so Charlie takes over the job. However, this operation needs financing, so he goes to Mr. Bridger (a Mafia-type boss) who is in prison, which Charlie has to break back into. Using three Mini Coopers, a couple of Jaguars, and a bus, he hopes to bring Turin to a standstill, steal the gold, and escape. The Italian Job remains one of my favourite heist movies of all time. It is full of some awesome grand spectacle moments with high-speed pursuits with the memorable minis, battles with guards protecting the convoy and sweeping shots of iconic locations in one of the biggest traffic jams of all time. We follow ex-prisoner Charlie, played by Michael Caine who shines in this film as the leader of the operation. Charlie is full of wit and charm with a rebellious nature and determination to get the job done. He has his head in the game, never taking his eye off the ball and is dead set on the task with the large sum of four million up for grabs. Despite his friend Roger perishing in a car crash, which was organised by the Italian Mafia whose attention he aroused, Charlie begins setting Roger's plot in motion himself. Upon receiving the aid of fellow jailbird Mr. Bridger, he sets too with gathering a crew who will play their part in making the operation run smoothly. I loved Mr. Bridger's character as despite being locked up and a prisoner, he acts like he owns the place, with the guards bending to his demands and treating him like royalty, like a Mafia boss. He has his own toilet, where he is escorted with a newspaper and fresh toilet roll. It's hilarious watching him enter the Governor's office and permitting him to sit, much to his bemusement. Charlie gathers a crew consisting of computer expert Professor Peach, electronics handler Birkinshaw and several getaway drivers. There were some brilliant sequences of gathering some members with my favourite being the humorous convincing of the mad Professor Peach, which is followed by equally entertaining tests of the equipment and training of the drivers. Watching the minis fly off ramps and crash into brick walls or one another much to Charlie's disappointment was very amusing followed swiftly by an annoyed Bridger, who is baffled by the rising costs required with cars being destroyed repeatedly. None of the scenes, however, come close to the iconic and infinitely memorable reaction to a test of the explosives on a truck where they actually blow up the whole vehicle. Charlie's pause and turn to Arthur before retorting whilst shouting, "You're only supposed to blow the bloody doors off!" was phenomenal and has rightfully become a well-known phrase with its superb delivery that only Caine could provide. Arriving in Turin, Charlie and crew are threatened by the Mafia who make an example by destroying their three Jaguars only just escaping with their lives thanks to the quick thinking of Charlie. Their actions have no impact on Charlie who starts installing Peach's software and Birkinshaw's monitor jamming devices puts every road into a convoluted mess. Waiting ready, the group rush the stuck convoy, overpowering the guards and storing the gold in the three minis. This leads to my favourite part of the whole movie with the three cars racing through shopping malls, jumping across rooftops, down church steps and through sewer pipes with police following to no avail. The mini pieces were a highlight for me as it is full of adrenaline, comedy and stunts that make it overwhelmingly exciting, especially with the later playing of "Getta Bloomin' Move On! (The Self Preservation Society)", which is so catchy. I won't spoil the end here as it is best seen for yourself with its cliffhanger ending that leaves you wanting more, which is unfortunate there is no sequel. Overall, The Italian Job is a fantastic outing that covers all the best elements of entertainment with amazing actors, hysterical comedy and some energetic action. One of the greatest flicks to check out when in need of a grandiose escapade.