The Italian Job

83% of critics liked it

81% of users liked it

Michael Caine, Noel Coward
In theaters Jan 01, 1969
G, 1 hr. 39 min.

Movie Info

Cast: Michael Caine, Noel Coward, Benny Hill, Raf Vallone, Tony Beckley, Rossano Brazzi, Margaret Blye, Irene Handl, John Le Mesurier, Graham Payn
Director: Peter Collinson
Rated: G
Running Time: 1 hr. 39 min.
Genre: Drama, Action & Adventure, Mystery & Suspense, Classics, Comedy
Theater Release: Jan 01, 1969
DVD Release: Oct 07, 2003
Synopsis: The quintessential British caper film of the 1960s, The Italian Job is a flashy, fast romp that chases a team of career criminals throughout one of the biggest international gold heists in history. Michael Caine is Charlie Croker, a stylish robber and skirt-chaser just out of British prison. Shunning rehabilitation for recidivism, Croker takes over "The Italian Job," a complicated plan to hijack gold bullion from Italy -- right from underneath the noses of the Italian Police and the Mafia. The

Critic Reviews

  • , TIME Magazine
    Caine and Coward play a splendid game of verbal tennis, but by the final reel the laughs are lost in an anthology of dull and deafening car chases. More...
  • Variety Staff, Variety
    The cast does its stuff to good effect. Coward, as the highly patriotic, business-like master crook, brings all his imperturbable sense of irony and comedy to his role. More...
  • , Time Out
    As a modest fun movie, it works, much helped by deep casting contrasts and a nice sense of absurd proportions. More...
  • Vincent Canby, New York Times
    The film is technically sophisticated and emotionally retarded. More...
  • , TV Guide's Movie Guide
    The gold is then stashed in a bus, and the predictable chase ensues. More...
  • , Empire Magazine
    As a film, The Italian Job is hardly a work of unalloyed genius; but as a reminder of the time when Britannia really was cool, it's peerless. More...
  • Stefan Birgir Stefansson, sbs.is
    Worthy simply for Benny Hill and his love for "big ladies" More...
  • Ken Hanke, Mountain Xpress (Asheville, NC)
    Superior crime caper that's a little too pleased with itself, but only a little. More...
  • Scott Weinberg, eFilmCritic.com
    It's the sort of smoothly entertaining and slyly intelligent crowd-pleasing spectacle that will never go out of style. More...
  • Jon Niccum, Lawrence Journal-World
    Overrated heist film whose climactic chase scene is one of its few redeeming values. More...