The godson of the legendary Noël Coward, director Peter Collinson first broke into the entertainment industry in the 1960’s with the BBC and cut his teeth working in television. He made his feature film debut as a director with The Penthouse (1967) and followed up the surprise success of that movie with Up the Junction and The Long Day’s Dying (both 1968). However, his next movie would be the one that has secured his place in cult film lore, The Italian Job. Previously released on DVD in the US and on Blu-ray overseas by Paramount, Kino has licensed the rights for the movie’s UHD debut.
The Production: 4/5
“Just remember this – in this country, they drive on the wrong side of the road.”
Though he’s just released from prison, clever con artist Charlie Croker (Michael Caine) is not about to attempt to go on the straight and narrow. Instead, he takes up a plan – concocted by fellow con Roger Beckermann (Rossano Brazzi), recently killed in an “accident” in the Italian Alps – to pilfer 4 million dollars in gold bullion during a soccer match between England and Italy in Turin. With the blessing of criminal mastermind Mr. Bridger (Noël Coward), Croker assembles a team of crooks and experts to pull off the heist by staging the mother of all traffic jams. However, unexpected snags and the Mafia may prove to be huge obstacles to the ever-optimistic Croker…
One of the best capers of the 1960’s, The Italian Job is also evocative of the era it was made in. Troy Kennedy Martin’s script and Peter Collinson’s direction are spot on from start to finish, deftly blending elements of action, thrills and dry British humor throughout. The movie also boasts terrific camerawork by the great Douglas Slocombe, beautifully capturing the Italian Alps featured in prominent points throughout the film; Quincy Jones’ groovy score is another highlight. However, the film’s most enduring and memorable moments are the climatic car chase through the streets of Turin – choreographed by master stunt driver Rémy Julienne – and the famous cliffhanger ending (which came about because producer Michael Deeley disliked the four written endings and wanted to leave the door open for a potential sequel). Transcending the mod and British era it was created in, The Italian Job remains one of the most fun crime capers of all time; it’s been remade twice (most notably in 2003), and a sequel TV series is rumored to be in the works.
As the clever Croker, Michael Caine has one of his most signature performances of his career; he also has the film’s most notable and quotable line (“You’re only supposed to blow the bloody doors off!”). In his final film appearance, Noël Coward cuts a memorable impression as the refined mastermind Mr. Bridger; the scene where Bridger descends the prison stairs to a cheering crowd of prisoners following the caper’s success is a fitting sendoff to a British legend. In what would be his final big screen appearance, Benny Hill notably incarnates Professor Simon Peach, the computer genius with a fondness for the big woman; he would later find international fame when The Benny Hill Show went syndicated in the United States and acquire a following in the late 1970’s. Rounding out the cast here are Raf Vallone as Mafia boss Altabani, Tony Beckley as Bridger’s man on the outside Freddie, Maggie Blye as Charlie’s girlfriend Lorna, Rossano Brazzi as the ill-fated Beckermann, Leila Goldoni as Beckermann’s wife, John Le Mesurier as the prison governor, Irene Handl as Miss Peach, Fred Emney as fellow accomplice Birkinshaw, Graham Payn as Mr. Bridger’s assistant Keats, Harry Baird as the getaway bus driver, Michael Standing as explosives expert Arthur, Stanley Caine, Robert Powell and George Innes as fellow conspirators, Arnold Diamond as the senior computer room official and Robert Rietti as the Turin police chief.
Video: 5/5
3D Rating: NA
The film is presented in its original 2:35:1 aspect ratio, taken from a brand new HDR/Dolby Vision master taken from a 4K scan of the original 35mm camera negative; the movie is presented in HDR on the UHD Blu-ray disc, while the remastered Blu-ray accompanying this release presents the film in SDR. Film grain, fine details and color palette appear to be faithfully represented her with only minor cases of scratches, tears and dirt present. This release does full justice to Douglas Slocombe’s cinematography and is likely the best the movie will ever look on home video.
Audio: 5/5
There are two audio options on this release: a 2.0 mono and a 5.1 surround DTS-HD Master Audio track on both UHD Blu-ray and Blu-ray discs. Both tracks exhibit strength and clarity in dialogue, sound mix and Quincy Jones’ music score – including the songs “On Days Like These” and “Getta Bloomin’ Move On!” (AKA The Self-Preservation Society) – with minimal cases of distortion, popping, hissing and crackling present on both tracks. This release is likely the best the movie will ever sound on home video and surpasses the previous Paramount DVD.
Special Features: 4.5/5
On both UHD Blu-ray and Blu-ray discs
Commentary by screenwriter Troy Kennedy Martin and author Matthew Field – Carried over from the 40th Anniversary Region B Blu-ray, Martin and Field revisit the differences between the earlier drafts of the script and the final product as well as how the film attained cult status.
Commentary by producer Michael Deeley and author Matthew Field – Originally recorded for the 2003 Paramount Special Edition DVD, Deeley and Field talk about the production process as well as fond memories of the great Noël Coward.
On Blu-ray disc only
The Self-Preservation Society (1:26:35) – Although listed on the package as being the similarly titled 2003 short documentary on the making of the movie, this is actually the feature-length documentary from the 40th anniversary Region B Blu-ray release, chronicling the making of the movie from start to finish; among those interviewed – including footage from the 2003 documentaries – include actors Michael Caine, Frank Jarvis, Derek Ware, actress Margaret “Maggie” Blye, composer Quincy Jones, Paramount studio executive Robert Evans, producer Michael Deeley, and director Peter Collinson’s widow Hazel and son Tara, just to name a few.
A Great Idea (23:25) – Ported over from the 2003 DVD, part one of the three-part documentary on the film’s making focuses on the genesis of the project.
Getta Bloomin’ Move On! (24:22) – Carried over from the 2003 DVD release, this part on the making of the movie focuses on Remy Julienne’s stunt work on the film, particularly the climactic car chase through the streets of Turin.
Mini Adventures (17:17) – Carried over from the 40th Anniversary Blu-ray release, this featurette focuses on the legacy of the Mini Cooper, prominently featured in the climactic chase sequence.
Deleted scene with optional commentary by Field (2:08)
Original Theatrical Trailer (3:12)
30th Anniversary Re-release Trailer (1:43)
Bonus KLSC Trailers – The Ipcress File, Gambit, Billion Dollar Brain, The Black Windmill, The Destructors, The Wilby Conspiracy, Dressed to Kill, The Holcroft Covenant & The Whistle Blower
Overall: 4.5/5
Although it didn’t attract much attention at the box office in America, The Italian Job has survived as a cult favorite on both sides of the Atlantic and a high point in the careers of Michael Caine and Noël Coward. Kino has likely delivered the definitive home video release here, with a stellar HDR transfer and a great slate of special features carried over from previous releases. Very highly recommended and absolutely worth upgrading.
The Italian Job (4KUHD)
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Mychal has been on the Home Theater Forum’s reviewing staff since 2018, with reviews numbering close to 300. During this time, he has also been working as an assistant manager at The Cotton Patch – his family’s fabric and quilting supplies business in Keizer, Oregon. When not working at reviewing movies or working at the family business, he enjoys exploring the Oregon Coast, playing video games and watching baseball in addition to his expansive collection of movies on DVD, Blu-ray and UHD, totalling over 3,000 movies.
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