The Italian Job (1969)

Editor
John Trumper

Production
Michael Deeley in association with Paramount Pictures

Synopsis/Review
This would be an enjoyable film even if Rossano hadn't had a part in it!

Michael Caine turns in a wonderful performance as the leader of a gang of bumbling thieves out to hijack a shipment of gold out from under the collective noses of the Italian Mafia - Noel Coward is hysterically funny as the incarcerated "British Godfather". And Rossano plays "Beckerman", the mastermind of the entire successful plot, who dies dramatically -- and this may be a first, for him -- during the opening credits!! Luckily for us, he does reappear in a videotape his character created for Caine's character, describing the elaborate plans he has laid out for the heist.

Rossano - who said a few times that his weakness, if he had one, was fancy sports cars - must have loved this opening ... "Beckerman" is driving a beautiful fire engine red Italian sports car through the Italian Alps. (And what breathtaking scenery it is, too ...). Wearing his "Joe Cool" aviator specs and looking SO fine behind that wheel, whipping around curves, caressing the gear shift and the steering wheel like a beautiful woman ... the purr of the engine ... it was an erotic performance of the highest calibre ... well, until he whips into a tunnel and blows up, that is. Boom!!!!

Red metal fragments roar through the clear mountain air, a battered pair of aviator sunglasses click to the pavement, and at least one of us is reduced to screaming, "You killed him during the opening credits??? You can't DO that!!" in shocked amazement.

Luckily, we see him again, as he leaves a videotape for Michael Caine's character, newly sprung from British federal prison - the same prison in which the British Godfather is housed in an elegant, decorated cell.

In this videotape, Rossano/ Beckerman describes the elaborately arranged details of the plan - which involves a high-tech take-over of the Milan traffic system ... and, once Caine realizes it will work, he enlists the aid of Coward's character. At this point, successfully capturing the gold becomes a matter of national honor for both the Italian and the British crime families. In fact, the scene where Coward's character accepts the prison's accolades -- from prisoner, guard and warden alike - for the successful heist is one of the funnier scenes you'll ever see.

Rossano's role is relatively small, but memorable -- not only because of the shocking opening (which he must have loved filming!), but because of the calm, earnest delivery of his plan via videotape, complete with all of the inventions that will accomplish the task.

After that delightful performance, sit back and enjoy the rest of the movie - it's good!