The Italian Job
Charlie staubt Millionen ab

UK 1969
produced by
Michael Deeley for Oakhurst Productions/Paramount
directed by Peter Collinson
starring Michael Caine, Noel Howard, Benny Hill, Raf Vallone, Margaret Blye, Tony Beckley, Rossano Brazzi, Irene Handl, John Le Mesurier, Fred Emney, John Clive, Graham Payn, Michael Standing, Stanley Caine, Brian Cox, Harry Baird, George Innes, John Forgeham, Robert Powell, Derek Ware, Frank Jarvis, David Salamone, Richard Essome, Mario Valgoi, Renato Romano, Franco Novelli, Robert Rietty, Timothy Bateson, David Kelly, Arnold Diamond, Simon dee, Alastair Hunter, Lana Gatto, John Morris, Louis Mansi
written by Troy Kennedy-Martin, music by Quincy Jones, cinematography by Douglas Slocombe, stunt driving by L'Équipe Rémy Julienne

review by
Mike Haberfelner

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Having just been released from prison, crook Charlie Croker (Michael Caine) immediately picks up where he left off and - picking up an idea from his dead friend Beckerman (Rossano Brazzi) - he plans to rob a gold transport in Turin worth 4 million Dollar, using a artificially created traffic jam as perfect cover and 3 Mini Coopers as getaway cars.

To do that, Charlie ensures financial backing of (imprisoned) gangster boss Bridger (Noel Coward) and the help of computer specialist Professor Peach (Benny Hill), as well as a team of talented getaway drivers and (for some reason) a camp character called Camp Freddy (Tony Beckley).

Once in Turin, not even the local Mafia (led by Raf Vallone) can keep Charlie and gang from putting their plan into action, and before long the Turin traffic computer is put out of action, the whole city is a giant traffic jam, the gold is safely tucked away inside the Minis and the Minis easily outmaneuvre the police cars following them.

In the end, the whole gang re-assembles in a getaway bus, the gold is unloaded, the Minis are disposed of ... and somehow the bus is left hanging over a cliff after a moment of carelessness while crossing the alps.

A film that has Mini Coopers as getaway cars finding their way through a traffic jam, up and down endless flights of stairs and even through the sewers simply cannot be all bad - and this one isn't. And most of the actors in this one - above all Michael Caine - are great as well, which doesn't hurt either, obviusly. That said though, the film also has its letdowns, especially its screenplay, which puts way too much emphasis on the rather dull set-up, every now and again loses narrative threats (the whole Mafia situation utlimately amounts to nothing, and what about the story about Michael Caine's girlfriend Margaret Blye, etc.) and sometimes veers away rather aimlessly into various directions.

So no, The Italian Job  ís not a great story movie. But as I said, a film that has Mini Coopers as getaway cars cannot be all bad.

Remade in 2003, when Hollywood has once again run out of even a single idea, as a blockbuster starring the rather faceless actors (especially when compared to Michael Caine) Mark Wahlberg and Edward Norton.

review © by Mike Haberfelner

 

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