This week marks a momentous occasion for film enthusiasts and fans of classic cinema as The Italian Job Collector’s Edition makes its grand debut on 4K Ultra HD™ in the UK. This exquisite package is a treasure trove for aficionados, featuring Blu-ray discs, behind-the-scenes content, a theatrical poster, production notes, and a plethora of collectibles including a sticker sheet and art cards (see our unboxing video below). To celebrate this release, we’re diving into the legendary film sets that brought this heist movie to life, and offering you a chance to WIN one of two Collector’s Edition packages!

Originally released in July 1969, The Italian Job has captivated audiences for 55 years. Directed by Peter Collinson, this crime caper follows the escapades of a motley English crew attempting a gold heist in Turin, Italy.

Michael Caine’s unforgettable performance of the eminently quotable gang leader, Charlie ‘You’re only supposed to blow the bloody doors off’ Croker, is etched in cinematic history as a staple of the charismatic, cockney con-artist motif. With an intricate plot, comedic one-liners, stunning Italian locations, exhilarating stunts featuring 1960s Mini Coopers and a true cliffhanger of a finale, The Italian Job is a masterclass for fast-paced action-comedy.

We should, however, be mindful that the film includes elements of sexism and xenophobia, reflecting the era in which it was made.

Why Italy? Why Turin?

The original screenplay, which featured a heist involving computerised traffic lights, was initially set in London. However, it was later reworked to take place in Turin, Italy, due to the city’s advanced computerised traffic light system—a novelty at the time and a a crucial element of the heist plot. Unlike Rome, Turin had not been a common location for major film shoots, adding a unique flair to the film.

Turin’s selection as the primary location was a classic example of ‘it’s who you know’: Paramount’s then Production Chief, Robert Evans, had a close friendship with John Elkann, heir to the Agnelli empire, which included Fiat. At that time, Fiat had significant influence in Turin, allowing the filmmakers to shoot there at no cost and securing full cooperation from the local police.

The Iconic Mini Coopers

The choice of Mini Coopers over Fiats was deliberate, symbolising 1960s Britain with their cheeky, cool, and accessible design. These cars, adorned in red, white, and blue, became emblematic of the film’s branding, despite Mini’s lack of official cooperation—requiring the production team to purchase 30 vehicles for the shoot.

A tour of the film sets of The Italian Job

Production Designer Disley Jones masterfully captured the essence of the 1960s, creating unforgettable scenes that resonate with the era’s spirit. From the stark prison to a stylish London tailor, from the chic Royal Lancaster Hotel to Lorna’s bohemian flat in the UK, and from picturesque piazzas to grand villas in Italy, the film takes us on a captivating visual journey.

We kick off proceedings in the dramatic Italian Alps, on the Great St Bernard Pass to be exact, with Matt Monro’s On Days Like These serenading an orange Lamborghini navigating hairpin bends.

While the opening scene depicts Charlie leaving London’s Wormwood Scrubs prison, it was actually filmed at the historic Kilmainham Gaol in Dublin, Ireland. This location also served for Noël Coward’s memorable descent down the central staircase following the Turin heist.

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  Ball Chair by Eero Aarnio (vintage)

  As seen in:

  • Mars Attacks!
  • Tommy
  • The Prisoner (TV series)
  • Dazed and Confused
  • The Italian Job

  Designer: Eero Aarnio

  Director: Peter Collinson

  This vintage original Ball Chair, designed by Eero Aarnio for Asko features red fabric upholstery and was produced in the 1960s in Denmark. This space age design classic has appeared in Dazed and Confused (1993), The Prisoner TV series (1967-1968), Tommy (1975), and Mars Attacks! (1996).

  Approx £600.00 Inc VAT if applicable / $786

  Shop Now

Upon his release, Charlie visits his London tailor to stock up on hip clothes, retrieves his Aston Martin from the Royal Lancaster Hotel’s underground car park (a scene whose dialogue was ad libbed), and attends a party to celebrate his freedom, hosted by his girlfriend Lorna (Maggie Blye) at the Hotel’s penthouse.

This party scene showcases vibrant 60s decor, including the iconic orange Ball Chair by Eero Aarnio.

The Lancaster Hotel’s corridors are a striking symphony in red, further enhancing the film’s visual allure.

Lorna’s “gaff” is a quintessentially 60s bohemian paradise brimming with bric-a-brac, with an exterior shot at 18 Denbigh Close, Notting Hill (off the north end of Portobello Road, W11, next to Alice’s junk shop) and interiors crafted at Twickenham Studios.

 

 

This location is memorable for the scene where Charlie is caught with “two birds” leading to a dramatic clothing toss from the balcony.

 

In Italy, the heist planning continues in the majestic Villa Della Regina, a 17th-century gem built by the House of Savoy with lush vineyards and gardens. Having undergone a series of renovations and redecorations over the centuries, with the latest makeover by the Ministry of Cultural Heritage, this villa is open to the public to offer a glimpse into its rich history.

The heist’s climax unfolds at Palazzo Carignano (where the gold is unloaded from the Minis as the police attempt to break down the large wooden doors) and Palazzo Madama, showcasing grand architecture and thrilling sequences.

Enter Our Giveaway!

In celebration of this 55th anniversary release, we’re offering you a chance to win one of two The Italian Job Collector’s Edition packages! Each package includes both 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray™ discs, a theatrical poster, production notes, and exclusive collectibles.

Bonus content includes:

• Commentary with screenwriter Troy Kennedy Martin and Matthew Field, author of The Making of The Italian Job
• Commentary by producer Michael Deeley and Matthew Field, author of The Making of The Italian Job
• Self Preservation Society: Making The Italian Job – HD
• ‘Mini Adventures’ – HD
• Music Video – HD
• Deleted Scene with commentary by author Matthew Field
• Trailer

How to Enter

Head over to our Instagram post, FOLLOW @FilmandFurniture, and TAG the person you’d like to watch with – in stunning 4K Ultra HD™ and relive the magic of The Italian Job.
Competition rules are outlined below.

Don’t miss your chance to own a piece of cinematic history and scrutinise the film sets of The Italian Job. Enter now and good luck!

The Italian Job Collector Edition is out now, and also available to buy via our marketplace here.

Competition rules
Prize: Win one of two The Italian Job Collector Edition packages
No cash alternative will be offered.
Winners will be selected at random and notified by DM.
Competition closes midnight GMT, Saturday June 22, 2o24.