The Italian Job

Cast: Michael Caine, Benny Hill, Noel Coward, Irene Handl,
Director: Peter Collinson
Producer: Michael Deeley
Screenplay: Troy Kennedy Martin
Cinematography: Douglas Slocombe
Music: Quincy Jones
UK Distributor: Paramount Pictures

For those who haven't seen it yet - that's right, both of you - the plot to this classic heist caper centres on a daring bullion heist in the middle of Turin at rush hour.

It was written by Troy Kennedy Martin, one of the most talented scriptwriters of his generation who also gave the world TV drama Edge of Darkness - for which we should be truly grateful.

The movie's pedigree is sublime: Produced by Michael Deeley (who went on to make The Man Who Fell To Earth and Blade Runner); the soundtrack is a lilting, cheeky little affair by super producer Quincy Jones and photography by Douglas Slocombe - who also lit the Indiana Jones trilogy - makes things very easy on the eyes.

Back to the plot: The eponymous bullion heist is funded by the ever patriotic inmate Mr Bridger (a delicious performance by Noel Coward) and executed by ex-con Charlie Croker (Michael Caine on top form).

Charlie has an eye for the birds, a love of fast cars and looks like the black sheep of James Bond's family. Caine was not the first choice for the role. Paramount suits wanted Robert Redford but when he proved unavailable, the bespectacled Cockney walked into the part.

At the time of production TIJ looked like just another crime caper, but thanks to its off-kilter sense of humour, it's matured well and become the ultimate Brit flick.

You don't need me to tell you the movie is filled with outstanding moments and already you are probably thinking of the red, white and blue Minis speeding around Italy in a fine example of breath taking choreography - if Busby Berkeley ever drove a Mini, he couldn't have done shot it better.

While such broad strokes stick in the mind, it's the fine nuances that leave most of us giggling into our liquorice allsorts.

Don't miss that first shot of Michael Caine as he stares at the camera, keen on tasting the good life after a spell inside; John Le Mesurier's face as Bridger announces his private toilet was broken into. And Irene Handl: "I'nt this greenfly awful?" she remarks as Caine looks on, dumbfounded. Then there's that ending; a much debated conundrum which has kept many an animated film fan pondering a happy solution.

You know the scene: Bus balanced half way over a cliff; heroes up one end, gold bullion at the other.

Aside from the first rule of Hollywood - villains can never get away with their ill-gotten gains - the script was changed to leave open the possibility of a sequel.

The movie has enjoyed something of a renaissance in the last year with a Stereophonics promo and countless adverts either lifting the Mini scenes or the 'Self Preservation' theme for their own ends.

It may not have had the box office shattering effect of The Phantom Menace but give me Michael Caine over Darth Maul any day.

© 1999 Roger Crow