Milwood Movie Night

Three brightly color Mini Coopers, a large tourist bus, Michael Caine with a Cockney accent, a score by Quincy Jones, and Benny Hill as a computer Hacker before such a thing even existed. The Italian Job (1969) is an icon of its age, noted for an insane premise, wild car chases, “You were only supposed to blow the doors off,” and a cliffhanger ending that never got resolved. It is also the last performance of playwright, actor, and fashion legend Noel Coward.

The plot centers around an armored car robbery in the streets of Turin, Italy. The key to the getaway? Orchestrating the worse traffic jam in history, partly by hacking the city’s traffic lights. But what really makes this movie is Michael Caine. Then, in the early days of his rising stardom, he gets to use his native Cockney accent, be utterly outrageous, and have a blast in a 60s capper movie that is as much style as substance.  There have been art exhibits of the promotional materials. The Mini Cooper went from a popular British car to a global phenomenon.

One story that shows just how wild the production was centers on the Italian government's refusal to close the streets of Turin for filming. Not satisfied, producers made some calls. The Mafia stepped in and cleared the streets until the necessary scenes were filmed. It has spawned two sequels, a video game, an annual charity event, and a stage play.

The Italian Job stars Michael Caine, Noël Coward (his last role), Benny Hill, and Raf Vallone.

The Italian Job was rated G in 1969, but reissues rate it as PG, though there is very little of anything to warrant it.

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