Rating: 
Summary: Love the movie, Hate the DVD
Review: This is one of my favorite movies from my childhood, which I saw once on television in Italy and never could find it again. I looked forward to finally owning a copy and ordered it months before it was available. When I received my DVD I was very disappointed. The color fades in and out for most of the movie, not a little, but drastically. The sound is a little off, but not that bad. I don't know if it is just my copy, or all copies, but if you order this great movie, make sure you save the return information in case it is a faulty. I didn't.
Rating: 
Summary: look out! here comes the minis!!
Review: This film really showcased Michael's comedic talent, and with the backing of the super cast right down to Benny Hill, it's a super time. Michael plays the mastermind behind a gold heist, while Benny Hill is the technical genius making Michael's scheme work. Where most films of "the big heist" is on the actual job, this film set itself out by using humour and the Coopers escape to make it one fabulously funny time.Caine is at his best as the freshly out of jail, but far from reformed crook. The end is just so droll!!! Glad to add this one my Michael Caine collection!
Rating: 
Summary: A few interesting parts, but no "Bullit"
Review: The first 30 min of this movie consisted of people talking and plotting a robbery. The idea is to create a giant traffic jam in Turin, rob a gold transport and get away by car (ridiculous). One particularly slow-paced and insignificant scene had Michael Caine and a friend visit an old lady with many cats. At this point, I had completely lost interest in why they were there and how it related to the rest of the movie, so I decided to "picture fast-forward" the next 30 min, which seemed just as boring and unnecessary for the appreciation of the last ~40 min of getaway footage. There is a strange sub-plot with a prominent imprisoned criminal that can safely be ignored. The getaway sequence includes some technically interesting driving footage, but other parts are not technical, just having the cars driving down crowded sidewalks at 40 mph...where's the fun in that? In terms of a car chase, I like the believable one from Bullit much better...what happens in The Italian Job is too arranged. Michael Caine is not involved in the driving and his talent is wasted on the hopeless "filler" plot in the first 2/3 of the movie.
Rating:
Summary: The Italian Job 1969
Review: This is an exceptional movie, A must have for MINIacks. The story line and the characters are timeless. The action is breathtaking so real you will beleive a MINI can fly! This is the best comercial for the British Leland Austin Mini Cooper S. Michael Caine & Noel Coward gave this movie the Class British Act. Bennie Hill was outlandish. A must have for your personal library.
MINI OWNERS PRAYER
Now I lay me down to sleep,
My MINI'S parked out in the street,
If it should roll before I wake, Please O'LORD put on the brake!
Ron Arfons
The MINIster of MINIacks
Rating: 
Summary: Terrific late 60's caper film with a couple of twists
Review: It seems that good movies inspire remakes. As to whether they are "inspired" remakes is always open to question. Both versions of The Italian Job have unique features that make them interesting but for sheer acting chops and fun (with the exception of Ed Norton in the remake who seems like he's trapped in a film he doesn't like), 1969's The Italian Job is my personal pick of the two. Mark Wahlberg can't hold a candle (and isn't much of an actor frankly)to Michael Caine in the original film. There's almost as many things that make this classic film tick as there are seconds on a clock. The plot focuses more on the getaway than the caper. This unique twist turned the formular on its head. The terrific cast (including the late Noel Coward in his last screen appearence and, of all people, Benny Hill!)features the marvelous Michael Caine in the lead. He gives a great performance and helps the ensemble rise to the occasion. The late Peter Collinson directs with energy and wit bringing to life what could have been, despite its plot twists, a routine film. Collinson is something of a cult director who died relatively young before he could fulfill his full promise as a director. I'd also recommend his cult classic psychological thriller Straight On Till Morning which became available last year on DVD. While it's hampered by some mid-70's editing and visual conventions, Morning more than holds its own with the explotiation films of the time. Complimenting the film is a commentary track which features the film's original producer as well as a number of nice extras. It's great to also have this minor classic finally restored to its proper aspect ratio. The DVD transfer is pretty good and while the quality of the print varies a bit, it's really good on the whole.
Rating:
Summary: A Time When The Best Skirts and Cars Were Mini
Review: "Self-preservation-society" Ahhh,, the delightful tune stays in your head as you remember the times when a Mini Cooper was a Mini Cooper (British and all) and England's footballers were on top of the World. I remember this movie as a child, and as I got older, my love affair with it blossomed as did my love affair with the Mini. Michael Caine at his ultimate "Cockney" best and a cast assembled to perfection. Benny Hill as the technical genious behind the gold plot, with his love for "BIG" women, was a classic role for this much missed comic master. A fantastic plot, stunning scenery, the best car chase sequence EVER in a movie, and an ending that defies logic, make this movie a classic amongst classics. The new remake may have the big star cast, the multi-million dollar production team and the new (dare I say it?) German Mini Coopers, but the original will never be matched for it's wonderful piece of 60's nostalgia. The Mini Cooper, sharp suits, mini skirts, Vespa's, England World Football Champions ...sigh... where did it all go? Bring it all back with this MUST HAVE crime caper Classic. Finally on DVD in America ...Thank You!! Thank You!! Thank You!!
Rating:
Summary: Classic caper
Review: This cult classic has an unsatisfactory first half, but boasts a spectacularly entertaining, and justly famous, second half. The patchy script has Michael Caine heading up a heist in Turin with the help of jailed criminal mastermind Noel Coward, in a welcome cameo. As the heist itself gets under way, director Peter Collinson delivers first-class thrills with a cheeky sense of humour. The production is lensed brilliantly by veteran cinematographer Douglas Slocombe, best known, perhaps, for the Ealing comedies of the 1940s and '50s; his presence here reinforces the sense of Britishness with which the film has become associated.
Rating:
Summary: Finally, the original is back!
Review: One of the those "forgotten" gems that real movielovers remember, The Italian Job was huge overseas, but only marginally successful here. If it did pop up on television during the 60s and early 70s, it was on the late show. But still, it gained a cult following here in the States, and now hopefully, others will see what all the fuss is about. Terrifically entertaining caper film with one of the top 5 car chases in film history -- the remake can't hold a candle to this one. "Get your skates on, mates!"
Rating:
Summary: This is the Self Preservation Society
Review: Growing up in England in the 60s & 70s we all wanted to be Charlie Crocker (Caine) and drive Minis VERY fast through the sewers & over the rooftops of Turin with boots (trunks) filled with gold... Why? Because we all loved this movie. It's a classic English "Caper" story about a group of 2nd rate crooks from London who set out to steel millions in Gold Bullion from Turin. It's funny, it's got pace, it's got classic performances from Noel Coward, Michael Caine (yes he was that young once), Benny Hill (I don't see it but I am told he's quite amusing), the Classic Mini & quite possibly the best car chase ever.
Rating:
Summary: At last!
Review: Another release date - hopefully more realistic than the one last year. Celebrate America...this is a great movie.
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