
Charlie Thomas
Group Head, Private Collections, Furniture & Works of Art, U.K
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Sold for £10,837.50 inc. premium
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Group Head, Private Collections, Furniture & Works of Art, U.K

Associate Specialist
"You're only supposed to blow the bloody doors off!"
- Charlie Croker [Sir Michael Caine]
Undoubtedly one of Sir Michael Caine's biggest comedy capers and the epitome of British Cool. The Italian Job is one of Britain's best loved cinema productions. Throughout the film Sir Michael thrives in portraying cool ex-con playboy Charlie Croker. By breaking back into prison he pursues infamous gang kingpin Mr Bridger, played by Noel Coward, to finance the 'big job' that has been handed to him by a deceased contact in Italy. The idea was to pull-off the biggest gold bullion heist of all time, by evading both the Italian Police and the Mafia.
The film includes the classic scene and immortal line 'You're only supposed to blow the bloody doors off!', during the planning for the complex robbery co-ordinated by Charlie. The heist was to take place in the unsuspecting city of Turin, under the guise of English Tourists at an away football match, with three iconic mini coopers as the getaway cars of choice. The result was one of cinema's most memorable and ingenious car chases, culminating in one of the most discussed cliff-hangers of all time.