Episode 043 - The Making Of The Italian Job (1969)
About this episode
This episode explores the making of the classic 1969 film The Italian Job, highlighting its cast, crew, and production challenges.
"Just remember this - in this country they drive on the wrong side of the road" In 1969, British cinema delivered one of its most enduringly cheerful acts of grand larceny. The Italian Job had Michael Caine, three Mini Coopers, a coach balanced rather inconveniently above a precipice and a plan that looked perfectly sensible provided nobody examined it too closely. In this episode of Rainbow Valley , we go behind the scenes to explore how this much-loved crime caper found its way onto the screen. Written by Troy Kennedy Martin, directed by Peter Collinson and produced by Michael Deeley, the film followed recently released criminal Charlie Croker as he assembled an unlikely team to relieve Turin of several million pounds in gold. The authorities, the Mafia and the Italian traffic system all had other ideas. We discover how Michael Caine came to play the immaculately dressed Croker, alongside Noël Coward as the wonderfully imperious Mr Bridger and Benny Hill as Professor Simon Peach, a computer expert whose enthusiasm for large ladies required rather more explanation than most job interviews would allow. Behind the camera, meanwhile, French stunt coordinator Rémy Julienne and his…
People in this episode
Host: Scott
Topics covered
- film history
- British cinema
- crime caper
- behind the scenes
- 1960s movies
Keywords
- The Italian Job
- Michael Caine
- 1969 film
- British cinema
- crime caper
- Quincy Jones
Mentioned in this episode
Organizations: Quincy Jones
Books & works: The Italian Job
More episodes of Rainbow Valley
- Episode 042 - Seven Inches Of History 004 - Adam Faith - Poor Me
- Episode 041 - Seven Inches Of History 003 - Anthony Newley - Why
- Episode 040 - Seven Inches Of History 002 - Michael Holliday - Starry Eyed
- Episode 039 - Seven Inches Of History 001 - Emile Ford and the Checkmates - What Do Want to Make Those Eyes At Me For?
- Episode 018 - The Making Of Cleopatra (1963)
- Episode 016 - The Hammersmith Nude Murders (1964 - 1965)
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