Plot: What’s it about?
Throughout the years, many remakes or reimaginings have been a constant amongst films lately. Pierce Brosnan wowed moviegoers with his updating of The Thomas Crown Affair, Tim Burton gave us his take on the classic sci-fi epic Planet of the Apes and John McTiernan tried to make some sense out of the seventies cult hit, Rollerball. Last year had seen another reimagining but many were unaware that it was updating a popular movie of the sixties, a caper about a group desperate to get a load of gold into a few cars in the mixup of a crazy street. With 2003’s version being a success, it’s nothing without the original, the one that had the British charm as well as the British lead along with some mixups along the way, but this isn’t any ordinary job, it’s the one set in the romantic place, it’s The Italian Job
Charlie Croker (Michael Caine) has just done his time in jail. Just recently, an associate of his came to an unfortunate end at the hands of some mafia men, headed by the infamous Altabani (Raf Vallone). Before he past away, Charlie’s associate left a plan. The best plan any heistmeister would grab for. He maps out a traffic jam in Italy while making off with four million dollars in gold bars. With some expertise in computers from a rotund loving professor (Benny Hill), a little help from a criminal mastermind (Noel Coward) and some smoothing out of some explosive details from a few crewmembers plus some cheeky times with some fabulous babes in the country of the big boot. What more can you ask for when a man chooses from which one to everything?
Having enjoyed last year’s updating to a degree, I had seen some differences in this original version this time around. The location is different, the foreign flavor is there along with a fun sensibility of not knowing what will happen to this crew next. Nevertheless, the original has a great sense of being less predictable than it’s reimagining.
As Charlie, Michael Caine brings his fun side this time around as a sprung criminal who wants the gold so bad he can taste it. He rounds up the troops in fun spirits not to mention bring along a jolly man who would later go on to present a show that was common amongst New Yorkers either during a rain delay or after Met games on the local channel with his own round of fabulous babes. The viewers get along with this crew as an ensemble without any standouts but a lot of goofiness and amazing locales along the way.
The direction by Peter Collinson along with Troy Kennedy Martin’s script and the change of pace score for score maestro Quincy Jones, gives a combination of laughs, zip, fun and a sense of wonder and unpredictability in a sixties world where riches mean everything and the ones who want it can steal it. With a smooth pace and an unforgettable climax, this film is truly a steal.
Video: How does it look?
The original Italian Job has one similarity to it’s updating. They’re both filmed in the 2.35:1 aspect ratio and for this version, it’s the very first widescreen presentation anamorphically on DVD. The picture quality is truly smashing for a film of the sixties. Although you come across the occasional speck or grain spot, it never takes away from the great shape this film has been kept in. The print is clear without any oversaturation of color and those cars shine wonderfully in the climax of the film. A very good transfer.
Audio: How does it sound?
The soundtrack for The Italian Job has been given a new remastered Dolby Digital 5.1 track and the result still has not too much muteness and a clarity that is rare amongst most films of the sixties. The cars come across all channels as well as Quincy Jones’ score and the constant song sang amongst the last quarter of the movie. Most of the dialogue comes through the center channels but the mix of dialogue and score mix nicely coming together throughout for a nice sound mix. This disc also has a Restored English Mono track as well as English Subtitles (sorry no italian for either sound or captions).
Supplements: What are the extras?
This is part of the ongoing Special Collector’s Edition of Paramount and The Italian Job gets primo treatment. First is a commentary track by author of “The Making of The Italian Job”, Matthew Field and producer Michael Deeley. This track is mostly dominated by question and answers with author and producer but is a greatly informative track filled with stories, working with the big name actors as well as how a few key shots have been done as well as a little about Peter Collinson. The track is a bit gappy but it is a comfortable set of gaps that allows the viewer to stay hooked to the movie and listen casually to the commentary without being totally muted from both. A fine track indeed.
Next is a three-part documentary called “The Making of The Italian Job”. On the first twenty-three minute part entitled The Great Idea, the writer and producer as well as a few of the cast and crew reminisce on working on this film, most especially about working with Michael Caine and Noel Coward as well as sharing an interesting connection between Coward and director Peter Collinson who is also focused greatly on this part.
In The Self Preservation Society, the supporting cast is featured amongst this twenty minute piece as well as how the traffic jam was accomplished as well as the casting of the various cars in the film.
Lastly, in Getta Bloomin Move On, the documentary focuses on the unique score by Quincy Jones, along with the wonderful song that plays throughout the credits written by an occasional Bond film scribe as well as the results of the film and the intriguing choice between four endings.
Altogether, it’s a wonderful documentary done by the author and DVD documentarian Lancelot Narayan and the only thing from becoming a landmark piece is no input from Caine or Quincy Jones. Despite their absence, it remains an intriguingly entertaining piece.
There is also a deleted scene with optional commentary from Matthew Field, which is a piece of the chase set to classical music driving in a ice rink. It’s understandable why it was cut but I feel had it been included despite the slowing of the pace of the film, it would’ve left open room for a highly memorable scene in many clip reels of films from the past fifty years for this scene had that kind of quality to it. The picture quality isn’t to par with the transfer of the film, but as Field put it, it was cleaned up so I’m sure it could’ve looked worse. Either way, it is a great inclusion and it would’ve been nice if the other three endings were found as well.
Finally there is the amusing theatrical trailer, along with the trailer of the re-release proving once again that an older film doesn’t have to fall victim to the other titles of the big mountain that remain supplementary free.
Simply put, The Italian Job is filled with mucho gusto and a load of fun and it’s nice to see an original can be given great treatment on DVD and this job is highly recommended.
