- Film Review
- Reviewed By Tony Sloman
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3 out of 5
Smashing vehicle stunt work distinguishes this Swinging Sixties romp from Paramount, shot in glamorous Turin with interiors filmed at our very own Twickenham Studios. Unfortunately, despite a fine cast headed by Michael Caine, Noël Coward and Benny Hill, the script doesn't quite come off. In fact, screenwriter Troy Kennedy Martin managed to get away with the biggest crime of all, reworking the gold-bullion heist plot for the following year's Kelly's Heroes and hoping no one would notice. If the characters here had been a little better developed and the director a little less determinedly flashy, this could have been a minor classic. That said, it's a mightily popular movie (re-released in 1999 to celebrate its 30th anniversary and remade in 2003), helped immeasurably by the now-iconic status of Caine, the soundtrack from Quincy Jones, the editing by John Trumper, and the marvellous Coward, who masterminds the whole wheeze from his prison cell.
Plot Summary
Comedy caper starring Michael Caine and Noël Coward. When Charlie Croker is released from prison, he is soon up to no good. After securing the financial backing of crimelord Mr Bridger, he puts into motion plans for a gold-bullion robbery that is to take place in Turin. But the Mafia have other ideas...
Cast and crew
Cast
- Charlie Croker
- Michael Caine
- Mr Bridger
- Noël Coward
- Professor Simon Peach
- Benny Hill
- Altabani
- Raf Vallone
- Freddie
- Tony Beckley
- Beckerman
- Rossano Brazzi
- Lorna
- Maggie Blye
- Miss Peach
- Irene Handl
- Governor
- John Le Mesurier
- Birkenshaw
- Fred Emney
- Keats
- Graham Payn
- Arthur
- Michael Standing
- Garage manager
- John Clive
- Shirtmaker
- Simon Dee
Crew
- Director
- Peter Collinson
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