Starring Michael Caine as the leader of a team of British thieves trying their luck with a heist in Italy, The Italian Job (1969) was a box office success, full of cheeky humour, a stylish plot and unforgettable scenes.
Directed by Peter Collinson and placing Caine in the shoes of charming thief Charlie Croker, the film is also graced by the talent of Noël Coward in the role of crime lord Mr. Bridger, Benny Hill as computer expert Professor Simon Peach, Raf Vallone as mafia boss Altabani and Tony Beckley as Camp Freddie, Bridger’s right-hand man – among many others.
With the help of acting powerhouses and a promising plot, many scenes are strong contenders to the spot of most iconic scene in the movie.
One of them, though, surprised fans and earned its place in the hearts of viewers for its candid nature. The scene, involving Croker and a confrontational garage owner played by John Clive, was completely improvised.
The moment unfolds shortly after Croker is released from prison and visits a garage to retrieve his Aston Martin. The garage owner makes a series of cutting remarks about Croker’s criminal background and driving style, prompting a fiery exchange.
According to film trivia and interviews, this back-and-forth was not in the original script but was improvised by Caine and Clive. The scene’s natural rhythm and genuine tension made it stand out, and it’s widely credited with setting the tone for Croker’s quick-witted and unshakeable character.
Michael Caine, already gaining fame after Zulu and Alfie, saw even more renown as a British screen icon with The Italian Job. The film also introduced audiences to the now-legendary line: “You’re only supposed to blow the bloody doors off!” – which Caine delivered during another key scene, reacting to a failed explosives demonstration. That line was later voted the most memorable British movie quote in a Sky Movies poll.
John Clive, the actor playing the garage owner, was also known for roles in A Clockwork Orange and as the voice of John Lennon in the animated film Yellow Submarine.
Other remarkable scenes in The Italian Job include a massive car chase using Mini Coopers and the film’s unexpected ending.
The Italian Job’s impact on pop culture warranted several parodies and references over the years – notably a 2005 episode of The Simpsons titled “The Italian Bob”, and a MacGyver version of the Mini Cooper car-chase.
The film’s 50th anniversary in 2019 also saw stunt drivers in red, white and blue Coopers driving through the grounds of Mini’s Oxford factory.