The Italian Job

You can only enjoy this film if you’re equipped with a certain amount of disbelief, otherwise it would be hard to accept that the mafia look like a bunch of clowns in uniforms and bowler hats, with nothing to do but stand far away in the mountains by the side of the road, that the cops can be put out of commission with one blow to the back of the head, that a simple plank like a barrier can withstand repeated truck collisions, etc. In addition, I didn't like the dry British humour and what I would reproach the director the most is that he completely abandoned characterisation of the characters, so I wasn't allowed to get to know the protagonists and at least a little bit relate to them. Thanks at least for the great car chase at the end and a round of applause for the rather bizarre, open ending. (07/07/2005)

Paradoxically, the only blot on the entire movie is that cult Mini chase through Turin at rush hour. The excellent tempo and textbook hyperbole that the movie had up until then slips into a series of forgettable scenes like out of a regular commercial. No people, just cars. This kills one of the movie’s main attributes, Caine’s charisma. That wouldn’t be so bad if the chase didn’t lack any hint of tension. And the bizarre idea of not having background music for the chase was largely responsible for that. But the stylish ending tipped the balance in favor of the movie in terms of the number of stars I decided to give it. (08/24/2009)

"Wait a minute, guys, I have a brilliant idea..." An hour and a half of utterly seamless fun filled with typically British playful hyperbole (the "prison" of Mr. Bridger leads the way), tons of jokes and likable characters through and through. I don't think it's possible that this film is 41 years old... The scene with the Mini Cooper is amazing (I recommend to see one cut part of it, when the Mini "dances" with the police cars to Strauss’ waltz :-)), and the ending.... Those who have seen it know. Three and a bit stars. (03/27/2010)

Some people claim that the remake is more entertaining. I gave the remake a very average 3 stars at the time and practically completely blocked it from my memory. There really is no need to remember it. In the end, I will give the original only 2. One star is for the always excellent Michael Caine, and the second one is for flashes of British humor mainly concentrated in the character of the boss of the British underworld, currently in a correctional facility. The rest somehow drags on, it is not funny enough or smart enough, and I get the feeling that it doesn't even properly know what it wants to be. The secondary characters of the thieving team are mostly uninteresting, and the action elements don't work for me. However, what is worth mentioning is the final scene, which will probably be the only thing to stay in my memory forever. If the rest of the movie was like that, it would indeed be a delightful thing. Overall impression: 45%. (05/28/2016)

A very cool, stylish and still original comedy with goofy bad guys and an even goofier ending. (02/08/2004)