The Italian Job | |
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Original theatrical release poster
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Directed by | Peter Collinson |
Produced by | Michael Deeley |
Written by | Troy Kennedy Martin |
Starring |
Michael Caine Noël Coward Benny Hill Raf Vallone Tony Beckley |
Music by | Quincy Jones |
Cinematography | Douglas Slocombe |
Edited by | John Trumper |
Production
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Distributed by | Paramount Pictures |
Release date
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Running time
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99 minutes |
Country | United Kingdom |
Language | English |
The Italian Job is a 1969 British caper film, written by Troy Kennedy Martin, produced by Michael Deeley and directed by Peter Collinson. Subsequent television showings and releases on video have made it well known in the United Kingdom.
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" (usually referred to as "The Self-Preservation Society", after its chorus) during the climactic car chase. Lead actor Michael Caine is among its singers.
In November 2004, Total Film named The Italian Job the 27th greatest British film of all time. The line "You're only supposed to blow the bloody doors off!" by Caine was voted favourite film one-liner in a 2003 poll of 1,000 film fans. The popularity of the film has led to parodies and allusions in other films and productions, including a 2003 remake.
Charlie Croker (Michael Caine), a Cockney criminal, is released from prison with the intention of doing a "big job" in Italy. He soon meets with the widow (Lelia Goldoni) of his friend and fellow thief Roger Beckermann (Rossano Brazzi), who was killed by the Mafia while driving a Lamborghini Miura in the Italian Alps. Mrs Beckermann gives Croker her husband's plans for the robbery that attracted the hostile attention of his killers, which detail a way to steal 4 million dollars in the city of Turin and escape to Switzerland.