FemaleFirst.co.uk: DVD: Italian Job, The [DVD] [1969]

Italian Job, The [DVD] [1969]
enlarge	Director: Peter Collinson Actors: Michael Caine, Noel Coward, Benny Hill, Raf Vallone, Tony Beckley Studio: Paramount Home Entertainment Category: DVD List Price: ~~£15.99~~ Buy Used: £1.45 as of 25/11/2009 11:03 GMT details You Save: £14.54 (91%) New (17) Used (32) Collectible (4) from £1.45 Seller: zoverstocks Rating: 63 reviews Sales Rank: 7182 Format: Anamorphic, PAL, Widescreen Languages: English (Original Language), Italian (Original Language) Rating: Parental Guidance Region: 2 Discs: 1 Aspect Ratio: 2.35:1 Number Of Discs: 1 Running Time: 95 Minutes Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.2 Dimensions (in): 7.5 x 5.3 x 0.6 EAN: 5014437808530 ASIN: B00005UO5L Theatrical Release Date: September 3, 1969 Release Date: September 15, 2003 Availability: Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days


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Editorial Reviews: Amazon.co.uk Review The greatest Brit-flick crime caper comedy of all time, 1969's IThe Italian Job/I towers mightily above its latter-day mockney imitators. After IAlfie/I but before IGet Carter/I Michael Caine is the hippest ex-con around, bedding the birds (several at a time) and spouting immortal one-liners ("You're only supposed to blow the bloody doors off!"). The inheritor of a devious plan to steal gold bullion in the traffic-choked streets of Turin, Caine recruits a misfit team of genial underworld types--including a lecherous Benny Hill and three plummy public-schoolboy rally drivers--and uses the occasion of an England-Italy football match as cover for the heist. p In his final screen appearance, Noel Coward joyfully sends up his own patriotic persona, and there are small though priceless cameos from the likes of Irene Handl and John Le Mesurier. But IThe Italian Job/I's real stars are the three Mini Coopers--patriotically decorated red, white and blue--that run rings round every other vehicle in an immortal car-chase sequence, which preserves forever the British public's love affair with the little car. Quincy Jones provided the irreverent music, naturally, while the cliffhanger ending thumbs its nose at anything so un-hip as a resolution. It's all unashamedly jingoistic--ridiculously, gleefully, absurdly so--but the whole sums up the Ijoie de vivre/I of the 1960s so perfectly that future historians need only look here to learn why the decade was swinging. p BOn the DVD:/B IThe Italian Job/I disc contains three all-new documentaries--"The Great Idea" (conception), "The Self-Preservation Society" (casting), and "Get a Bloomin' Move On" (stunts)--which dovetail into a good 68-minute "making of" featurette. Contributors include scriptwriter Troy Kennedy Martin and Producer Michael Deeley, who also crops up on the sporadically interesting commentary track with author of IThe Making of The Italian Job/I, Matthew Field. The deleted "Blue Danube" waltz scene is also included, with optional commentary. The print is a decent anamorphic transfer of the original 2.35:1 ratio, and the soundtrack has been remastered to Dolby 5.1. The animated Mini Cooper menus set the tone perfectly. --IMark Walker/I

Customer Reviews: Showing reviews 1-5 of 63 1 2 3 4 5 6 ...13 Next » The Italian Job June 26, 2002 Scott Magus (Bristol, United Kingdom) 49 out of 51 found this review helpful The 'classic' british crime caper. Charlie (Michael Caine) is a cocky career thief who, during a stay at her majesty's pleasure, learns of a foolproof way to pull off the crime caper of the decade by stealing millions of gold bullion from the Italian Government. Unfortunately, on his release from prison, Charlie learns that the brains behind the operation (Rossano Brazzi) has met an untimely end at the hands of the Mafia, whilst finalising the plans for the robbery. With the assistance of the incomparable 'Prison Kingpin' Mr. Bridger (Noel Coward), an undeterred Charlie puts together a team to rob the Italians of their gold bullion in spectacular and unforgettable fashion.pThe plan is to cause a traffic jam in the centre of Turin and then using specially adapted Mini Cooper's escape from the gridlocked city by the only remaining route. It's no normal road route though and the car chase that ensues is still probably the best ever captured on film!pIt is not a car chase film though, there is so much more to it than that. There is never a dull moment, with plenty of humour and suspence as the mini's make short work of every conceivable obstacle in their desperate bid to heist the gold. pThe ending has one of the most quoted lines of any British film and still leaves you on the edge of your seat. A top notch ensemble cast make this an accomplished tour de force of humour and tension that may never be surpassed. "Get the wheels in line, get the wheels in line..." December 14, 2005 BD (UK) 15 out of 15 found this review helpful How anyone can give this classic film a mere one or two star rating is beyond me, i can only assume they are confused with the truely dire remake that was set in L.A. because frankly that version was a complete waste of time, especially as the original (which i am reviewing) is such a classic. pThe storyline which does take time to build up (like all good stories do) is set around the often used scenario of a loveable english ganster mob performing a blag and getting away with it (almost). The script contains much subtle british humour, and the shots of 60#x27;s London with empty streets and classic cars are a joy to behold. All the usual ingredients for films of this genre are there, the initial doubt, the bungled rehersals, and the most unlikely looking bunch of crooks ever seen in the same room that somehow on the day, manage to pull it off. The dialogue is sharp and witty and full to the brim with superb one liners, phrases and sayings, some of which have entered the english language, and how many films script can have that claim to fame?pMichael Caine is peerless as Charlie Crocker, with his unique voice and acting style proving to the be the icing on the cake for this classic British caper. It is his acting and the script that provided an undeniable template for many a British gangster\mob film to follow i.e. Lock Stock \ Snatch \ Layer Cake...pWhat is worth bearing in mind is that at the time of it#x27;s original release (1969) England were very much on a high with the sixties still swinging, we were football world champions, and as a country we were looking forward with optimism to the common market and europe, hence the almost celebratory atmosphere throughout, and the light hearted us against them feel of the whole film. pThis is not only a truely classic film, it is solid family entertainment with the loveable Mini Coopers providing the #x27;rule brittania#x27; ending that we all remember so well. Do they ever get the bullion into the Geneva bank ? "Hang on Lads, i#x27;ve got a great idea..." Amazing! August 10, 2003 8 out of 8 found this review helpful One of the best films of all time!. No matter what age group, you will love this!. I loved watching this on TV when i was young and after buying the DVD, i love watching it again! Michael Caine is, as always, amazing and the rest of the cast did a great job. Its a simple story about a big-time robbery they are going pull. This is a well thought of script as its very realistic unlike some other films like this. At the same time it has some very funny moment and one-liners!brIt also has a great soundtrack to go along with it! On the DVD there are also some good and interesting Extras. brThis DVD is a must have! Well worth the money! An absolute classic January 23, 2003 21 out of 23 found this review helpful By the number of voters on each review of this film, I have the impression that maybe a lot of younger people (ie students, possibly?) have heard a lot about this film but are unsure whether to buy it, because of its age. Well, as a 22 year old, let me tell you: it is DEFINITELY worth buying. brLike a lot of you, I imagine, I was sceptical that the film's age (it was made in 1969) would detract from its quality. It doesn't at all. The Italian Job is one of the funniest, sharpest and exciting films ever made. brThe plot centres around Charlie Croker (Michael Caine) and his motley crew who plan to steal $4m worth of gold bullion by causing a huge traffic jam in Turin. The Turin scenes in particular are fantastically shot and very picturesque. Caine, surprisingly, does not steal the show but is merely an important component in the brilliance of this film. Benny Hill's preoccupation with the larger woman is very amusing, as are the subtle one liners ("they went thataway", "you're only supposed to blow the bloody doors off", etc.). The lovely Britt Ekland is a nice distraction from the chaos of the film. Much is made of Noel Coward's performance in this film as the corrupt police officer, Bridger, but he does not really add much to the film. pThe pace of the film is always at a good tempo, where you think that if you miss a scene you've missed an important part, although the story is easy to understand. pAs for the car chase scene...utterly hilarious and brilliant. It shows that big money effects are not always needed to make a good action film. pThe cliffhanger (literally!) is amusing as well, and from the car chase to the end you will have a broad grin on your face. The scenery, the dialogue and the music have a very decadent Sixties feel about them. pThis is a film that you will watch over and over again. It also annoys you when you think a dumbed-down American version is currently being made. The Englishness of this film is what makes it. Ritchie, Statham, Jones...on your bike you muppets. look out! here comes the minis!! November 25, 2003 Deborah MacGillivray (US UK) 6 out of 6 found this review helpful This film really showcased Michael's comedic talent, and with the backing of the super cast right down to Benny Hill, it's a super time. Michael plays the mastermind behind a gold heist, while Benny Hill is the technical genius making Michael's scheme work. Where most films of "the big heist" is on the actual job, this film set itself out by using humour and the Coopers escape to make it one fabulously funny time.pCaine is at his best as the freshly out of jail, but far from reformed crook. The end is just so droll!!!pGlad to add this one my Michael Caine collection! Showing reviews 1-5 of 63 1 2 3 4 5 6 ...13 Next »

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