The Italian Job is a
British comedy action film directed by Peter Collinson. The story was
written by Troy Kennedy Martin. Its soundtrack was composed by Quincy
Jones, and includes "On Days Like These" sung by Matt Monro
over the opening credits, and "Getta Bloomin' Move On"
("The Self Preservation Society") during the car chase with
the Mini Coopers. The Main stars were Michael Caine, Noël Coward,
Benny Hill, Raf Vallone, Tony Beckley, Maggie Blye and Rossano
Brazzi.
Despite the publicity the
film would give to the Mini, British Leyland Motor Corporation
(BLMC), only provided a token fleet of Minis and the production
company had to buy the rest at trade price. Fiat offered the
production as many super-charged Fiat cars as they needed, several
sports cars for the Mafia confrontation scene, plus $50,000, but the
producers turned down the offer because it would have meant replacing
the Minis with Fiats.
 |
| Michael Caine |
 |
| Michael Caine & Noël Coward |
There have been two
remakes of the film. The first, released in 2003, had the same title
and was set in Los Angeles with Mark Wahlberg as Charlie Croker. It
used the BMW Mini for a chase towards the end. The second was a
Bollywood remake called Players, it was released in 2012.
 |
| Maggie Blye, Michael Caine & Raf Vallone |
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| Benny Hill |
Synopsis
Charlie Croker (Michael
Caine) has just left prison, and now wants to do a 'big job'. The job
is to steal $4m of gold arriving in Italy from China. Charlie's job
needs financing, so he goes to Mr. Bridger (Noël Coward) who is in
prison. In Italy, a clever plan is used to distract the authorities,
while the raiders make their get-away in three Minis..
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| Cast with in the back the three Minis |
- Michael Caine as Charlie Croker
- Noël Coward as Mr. Bridger
- Benny Hill as Professor Simon Peach
- Raf Vallone as Altabani
- Tony Beckley as Camp Freddie
- Rossano Brazzi as Roger Beckermann
- Maggie Blye as Lorna
- Irene Handl as Miss Peach
- John Le Mesurier as the prison Governor
- Fred Emney as Birkinshaw
- John Clive as Garage manager
- Graham Payn as Keats
- Michael Standing as Arthur
- Stanley Caine as Coco
- Barry Cox as Chris
Trailer
