Mr. A's review of.....The Italian Job

So, the great Diamond Head Video is going out of business so I decided to pick up a few DVD's to keep me entertained while our hiatus is going on. Here is the first review in a line of old-school movies I picked up.

The Story

Charlie Croker isn't such a bad guy despite serving a lengthy prison sentence. He's nice, a snappy dresser, and he's got a brand new job that's sure to rake in the dough. Unfortunately this job could also send him up the river again...or home in a pine box.

Charlie's old friend and fellow thief Roger Beckermann has got a great idea; steal a four-million dollar shipment of gold that's on it's way from China to the Fiat motor company located in Turin, Italy. The plan is perfect...until Beckermann ends up dead at the hands of the Italian mafia.

Despite the risks Charlie decides that too big of a payoff to pass up and sets out to gather a crack team in order to pull off this "Italian job."

Can charlie and his rag-tag team of thieves pull this off and make the biggest theft in history or will the mob get the better of Charlie and send him back in pieces?

The Review

It's pretty much a given that if Michael Caine is in a movie it's gonna be good. Charlie is an instantly lovable character despite yelling at his inept crew for almost half of the movie. Noel Coward does a superb job as Mr. Bridger, the ominous Brit mobster who backs Charlie's plan.

The pacing is really good and gives you just enough down time in order to absorb the plot, the car chases are some of the best I've ever seen in any old film save for The French Connection, and the dialogue is hilarious.

The only down side that I could see is that the film hasn't aged very well, but better than most films from that time.

The Verdict

Solid casting, great locations, and a brilliant ending ensure a good time for all. However if you saw the remake with "Marky" Mark Wahlberg you might not enjoy it as much.

I picked this up for only five bucks and it was definitely the best five I've spent in some time. Got track this down and give it a whirl.

8/10

Stay tuned for more reviews over the next few months, along with an audio commentary or two.

Jaa mata,

Mr. A

(Executive producer, master planner)