Cinema
The Italian Job
Peter Collinson · 1969
Synopsis
An orange Lamborghini drives down the Great St Bernard Pass to a slow song by Matt Monro, while the credits roll. In a tunnel, it runs into the blade of a bulldozer parked across the road; the machine pushes the wreck into the ravine under the eyes of men in black. In England, Charlie Croker comes out of prison and goes to see the widow of Beckermann, the driver, who hands him the filmed plan of the job her husband was preparing: four million dollars in gold, in Turin.
Context
The English maker of the film's small cars handed over only six, without giving them free. Fiat, which was run by Gianni Agnelli and ruled over Turin, offered on the contrary as many cars as would be needed, and money, if the English ones were replaced by its own; the producer, Michael Deeley, refused, as the script did not allow the swap. The firm nevertheless helped the shoot, lent the Lingotto factory and its test track on the roof, and the Turin police cooperated. The sewer scenes were shot in Coventry. A sequel was planned; the poor result in the United States prevented it.
Who it is for
Ninety-nine minutes, in English with subtitles or in a French version; Noël Coward plays Mr Bridger, and Michael Caine the lead role.
Prizes and reception
A commercial failure in the United States, where its lead actor said it was “dead”, it became a cult film in Britain.
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