4 Scenes That Will Make You Want To Watch The Italian Job Again

Photos via The Italian Job film

Bank job films often include a thoughtfully-selected getaway car, and in The Italian Job, the criminals apply a spectacular twist: multiple Mini Cooper getaway cars. But you already know this.

If you’re new to this film, here’s the setup: recently released from prison after two years inside, Charlie Croker (Michael Caine) finds he has been bequeathed “a job to do” after less than five minutes on the outside: an elaborate plan dreamt up by a recently-deceased criminal mastermind.

Michael Caine is in fine form, there’s a wonderful supporting cast of oddballs, an evocative score composed by Quincy Jones, and one of the most unforgettable endings in cinematic history. Let’s take a look, and revisit some of the key scenes, and see why The Italian Job is the epitome of 1960’s chic, and oh-so Petrolicious.

1. The Stakes

Matt Monro’s song “On Days Like These” plays as a 1967 Lamborghini Miura P400 drives through the Italian Alps. The driver, Beckerman (Rosanno Brazzi,) looks like he doesn’t have a care in the world. Of course he wouldn’t, he’s the man with a plan, and he’s also driving a Miura.

Until, well, a Mafia-driven Caterpillar 944A bulldozer ensure Beckerman is killed. You don’t want to mess with these people…

2. The Plan

“Four-million dollars through a traffic jam,” says Beckerman as he lays out the plan for Crocker in a 16mm film message sent from beyond the grave. I don’t know about you, but isn’t this footage kind of incriminating?

After hearing what’s about to happen, it’s impossible to not wonder how this heist will shake out. 

3. The Vehicles

The Mini Coopers, plus a Land Rover Series IIa 109″, two Jaguar E-Types, and a Thames van. I love it when a plan comes together, and when so many Petrolicious-grade vehicles are included. Also included: stunt training sequences for the heist. Let’s just say: sometimes you have to break some eggs to make an omelette.. 

4. The Heist

A brilliant, entertaining heist ensues, as its title, The Italian Job, promises. Mini Coopers fly around everywhere, there’s plenty of time to do background car spotting and, sadly, some stylish Italian police cars get destroyed. In this case, a 1963 Alfa Romeo Giulia Ti.

Fun fact: one scene even takes place on the test track atop the old Fiat Factory in Turin. This scene is so beloved that whenever we ask your favorite car films, The Italian Job makes an appearance.

Realistic? Not by a long shot. And it has plot holes you could drive a Mini Cooper through. But in the end, it doesn’t really matter. This is a movie that you sit back, relax, and enjoy. Michael Caine holds the whole film together. Well, him, and the Mini Coopers.

“Hang on lads. I’ve got a great idea.”