Movie · 1969 · Crime, Comedy, Thriller · 1h 39m · G · English
Curator score: 6.1/10 (54.7K ratings)
Introducing the plans for a new business venture: "The Italian Job."
Overview
Charlie's got a 'job' to do. Having just left prison he finds one of his friends has attempted a high-risk job in Torino, Italy, right under the nose of the mafia. Charlie's friend doesn't get very far, so Charlie takes over the 'job'. Using three Mini Coopers, a couple of Jaguars, and a bus, he hopes to bring Torino to a standstill, steal a fortune in gold and escape in the chaos.
Ratings
Curator score: 6.1/10
IMDb: 7.2/10
Rotten Tomatoes: 82%
Metacritic: 70
TMDB: 6.9/10
Director
Peter Collinson
Production
Oakhurst Productions
Cast
Michael Caine, Noël Coward, Benny Hill, Margaret Blye, Raf Vallone, Tony Beckley, Rossano Brazzi, Irene Handl, John Le Mesurier, Fred Emney, John Clive, Graham Payn, Michael Standing, Stanley Caine, Barry Cox, Robert Powell, Harry Baird, George Innes, John Forgeham, Derek Ware
Curator Review
Verdict
A stylish, cheeky caper with a famously inventive getaway sequence and a playful 1960s British tone. It’s uneven in the setup and can feel dated, but the final heist and ending are so memorable that the film still earns its reputation.
Best for
fans of classic heist movies
viewers who like witty, light crime comedies
car-chase enthusiasts
people interested in 1960s British cinema
Skip if
you want a tightly paced thriller from start to finish
you’re sensitive to dated humor and casual sexism
you prefer grounded realism over broad caper antics
Overview
The Italian Job is one of those movies whose reputation is largely built on the last act, and deservedly so. The setup is looser and more sitcom-like than many viewers expect, but the film keeps its cool with a mischievous sense of style and a very British flavor of criminal swagger.
Worth noting
What makes it endure is the precision of the caper mechanics and the sheer pleasure of watching the escape unfold. The Mini Coopers, the city choreography, and the cliffside finale have all become part of movie lore for a reason.
Bottom line
It’s also a product of its era, so some of the banter and attitudes land awkwardly now. Still, if you can accept the dated edges, this remains a hugely entertaining blend of comedy, crime, and spectacle.
Top Letterboxd reviews
adambolt (3★) · 1415 likes
i am too scared to use the bathroom for fear of michael caine being in there with a heist idea
sydney (2.5★) · 913 likes
an hour of "oi m8 only sick perverts like fat birds, italians are bloody stupid innit" and then 30 minutes of one of the most amazing car chases ever
demi adejuyigbe · 477 likes
The first hour is way too straightforward for a heist movie but then it ratchets things up for the final act. Gotta admit, the getaway is a blast though! However, it also then ends in the LOONIEST possible way and with the LOONIEST song. Nuts.
Emily (3.5★) · 402 likes
They use the same prison as Paddington 2 and now I just really wanna rewatch Paddington 2.