The Italian Job
Few films have become such a part of our shared national culture as The Italian Job. England football crowds still sing “Self Preservation Society.” Anyone in the pub asked to quote a line from the film will impersonate Caine’s: “You were only supposed to blow the bloody doors off!” And the (literally) cliff-hanger ending has gripped our collective imagination so much that recently the Royal Society of Chemistry ran a competition to find what may have been in Croker’s mind when he speaks the last line in the movie: “Hang on a minute lads, I’ve got a great idea.”
Made in 1969 when London was still swinging and all things British were cool, the film featured iconic British actors from various eras and genres: Noel Coward ; John Le Mesurier ; Irene Handl; Benny Hill in a part that fitted him like a glove; a very young Robert Powell; and of course Michael Caine in one of his most famous roles as criminal Charlie Croker. A cast any director would give his producer’s right arm for. And no less iconic were the timelessly beautiful British cars featured: E-Type Jags ; an Aston Martin DB-4; and the Mini Coopers central to the caper plot.
An artful film without arty pretensions. The stuff of genius.
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Current top 10
1: Zulu
2: The Railway Children
3: The Italian Job
4: Life of Brian
5: Trainspotting
6: The Third Man
7: The Cook, the Thief, His Wife and Her Lover
8: Oliver!
9: Local Hero
10: My Fair Lady
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