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• The Original On DVD Now!

  • Bruce Reber
  • 1/31/13

  I have the 2003 remake of "The Italian Job" on DVD. I'd like to see the 1969 original on DVD also. If you ever have a "Original vs. Remake" spotlight one month TCM, you could show both. Please schedule this type theme. I'm sure there are many classic film fans who have seen newer films and not known they were remakes. A few suggestions: "Lady For A Day" (1933) vs. "Pocketful Of Miracles" (1961 remake), "Imitation Of Life" (1934) vs. 1959 remake, "Magnificent Obsession" (1935) vs. 1954 remake, and "Mutiny On The Bounty" (1935) vs. 1962 remake. C'mon TCM, how about it? I don't think you've ever done an O vs. R month. Bruce Reber, loyal TCM viewer since 2001.

• The Italian Job-Slick, Fun and Fast

  • Bruce Reber
  • 1/30/13

  I first saw "The Italian Job" on network TV in 1975 (the ABC Sunday Night Movie, to be exact). Of course it was shown in Pan & Scan and chopped up by time editing and commercials, but I remember it was a very cool caper film. Michael Caine stars as Charlie Croker, hired by fellow master thief Mr. Bridger, played by famed playwright Noel Coward, to steal 4 million bucks worth of gold bullion from an armored car in Turin, Italy and bring it to Britain to bolster their economy. After being briefed by Rossano Brazzi via a 16mm B&W movie, Croker assembles a motley group to pull off what could be the heist of the century. Brit TV comic Benny Hill plays Prof. Simon Peach, who by replacing a computer tape in the Turin traffic control center causes one mother of a traffic jam, totally paralyzing the city and providing a diversion for the heist. Croker and his gang capture the armored car and load the gold bars into 3 Mini Coopers, which then speed away driving on sidewalks, through buildings, and even over rooftops out of Turin. They meet up with a truck and then drive the Minis up ramps into the back. While driving through the mountains the truck skids and hangs halfway off the road. Croker and his gang must then try to figure out a way to save the gold and at the same time keep from plunging over the side. Talk about a cliffhanger! A little bit better than the 2003 remake.

• The Italian Job

  • Dashiell B.
  • 1/30/13

  A delightful comedy-caper. Caine gives a charismatic performance as a wide-eyed criminal, Coward's final film is as a gang boss serving time & Hill gives a hillarious performance impossible not to mention. The other characters include the three Mini Coopers who do amazing stunts, sure they defy the laws of physics & are almost impossible to do, but it's so entertaining. One more word, if you look up the word "Cliff-hanger" in the dictionary, you'll most likelt see the final scene from the film. I give it a 4/5.

• The Italian Job

  • Bruce C
  • 1/29/13

  The long awaited original film! Excellent camera work, great locales and color. Michael Caine gives his usual strong performance in this caper-heist movie. The film is tighter than its follow up version, uses the logistics of the spectacular scenery and its location very well. Yes, that is Noel Coward from Around The World in 80. There were quite a bit of obstacles for the Gaffer to make work. The Special Effects (FX) used today weren't available in the late 60's. A well done production.

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