THE ITALIAN JOB (1969) vs. THE ITALIAN JOB (2003)

"Charlie, there are two kinds of thieves in this world: The ones who steal to enrich their lives, and those who steal to define their lives. Don't be the latter. Makes you miss out on what's really important in this life."

Heist movies have an excellent appeal to them not only because they are exciting action-dramas but also because there's a true sense of realism in most of the heist movies that I've ever watched.  Movies like Ocean's Eleven (and subsequent sequels) and even some movies in the James Bond and Mission Impossible series are entertaining because the viewer is always on the edge of their seat wondering if the "good guys" are going to make off with the score and--after having seen the film--can think to himself "Now how plausible can that really be done in the real world?" and "I wonder if I could get away with something like that!"  The answer to the latter question would likely be a resounding 'no;' but that's precisely what's fun about the movies: they make people feel free to dream a life so unlike their own!

This time we're looking at the original heist flick from 1969 The Italian Job pitted against its remake from 2003.  As close as I thought the last battle was between the two Gone in 60 Seconds movies, this one was even closer!  So it'll be hard to pick apart these two tense films to see who edges out the winner.  This could be a long post, ya'll, so buckle in.

SYNOPSIS (1969): Comic caper movie about a plan to steal a gold shipment from the streets of Turin by creating a traffic jam. Source: IMDb.com

SYNOPSIS (2003): After being betrayed and left for dead in Italy, Charlie Croker and his team plan an elaborate gold heist against their former ally. Source: IMDb.com

DIRECTOR: Peter Collinson vs. F. Gary Gray

While The Italian Job wasn't Collinson's first feature film, it was the first to be nominated for a Golden Globe award for best English-language Foreign Film.  Collinson's previous movie, The Long Day's Dying released just a year earlier in 1968, nabbed him two wins at the Sans Sebastian International Film Festival.  Collinson spent many years directing a few episodes for a variety of television shows but decided to focus on the big screen with his directorial debut The Penthouse in 1967.  His movies grew pretty steadily in popularity during that short time, according to the ratings for the films leading up to the one we're dissecting today.

F. Gary Gray, by contrast, was a younger more brazen man who got his feet wet early in 1995 when his first movie Friday was released when he was only 29.  Viewed today as a cult classic, the movie gained enough buzz and propelled his career in the action-drama genre with early projects like Set It Off (a different kind of heist movie centered around a gang of female bank robbers) and The Negotiator, and later projects  However, Gray's movies seemed to appeal more to the younger crowd right out of the gate and included many big-name Hollywood actors.

Concerning their respective films, I must say that it was definitely hard to choose.  The directing style was superb in both films, each director utilizing the evident star-power in their actors and crew, their knowledge of cinematography and how to shoot a particular scene to make the audience feel emotionally connected to the experience, and overall piecing all the elements of a good movie together to make it one unforgettable ride!

Specifically speaking, from the opening credits of the original film, Collinson puts the camera on the dash and on the wheel-well of a very fast and sporty car as it races along an Italian mountain road set to a classic Italian song.  You don't really know who the man behind the wheel is.  But it sets the tone for the movie and immerses the audience in an ambiance of a high-octane artisan thrill ride.  And when the car exits the opening scene in flames, your eyes are transfixed and you wonder "Who was that guy?!"  And you continue to be glued to the screen until the final credits roll.

In the remake, Gray uses smart technical editing during his opening credits sequence set to a modern blend of orchestral and techno/club beats that prepares you for how articulate and precise the characters have to be in order to pull the haul of a lifetime.

The vote for 'director' really could swing either way.  Whether you prefer one over the other would likely depend on whether you just like updated versions of good films or in awe of how good a movie that's "so old" can be without the advancement of the technology that movies today can offer.

For the sake of argument though, I could say that Gray edges out Collinson in this category because he's a younger director and he made his version more "cool" to appeal to a younger audience (like myself when I first viewed it).  I could also cast my vote for him because, despite being a young director, it is easy to judge his films as "all flash and no substance."  But take a closer look at his resume.  It is stacked with impressive films throughout his career.  He makes cool movies but makes a long-lasting statement in doing so that makes you want to keep watching them over and over.

Even amidst writing this post, I kept going back and forth in this category but ultimately decided that the longevity of the impact of Gray's films--recently the overwhelmingly surprise hit Straight Outta Compton--would be the better legacy to movie fans.  But if you voted for Collinson  after viewing both films yourself, I wouldn't be mad at ya.  A strong argument could be presented for him as well.

WINNER: Remake, F. Gary Gray

SCREENPLAY: Troy Kennedy-Martin vs. Donna & Wayne Powers

While not a direct shot-for-shot remake like 1998's Psycho was, the remake of The Italian Job borrowed a lot from the original screenplay; so much so that Kennedy-Martin is actually credited with writing honors in the remake.  One could possibly say that the Powers' made improvements on the original without losing its creativity and influence but instead strengthened it with their editions.

The remake tells its own story, though, even with the same names as the two lead male characters (Charlie Croker and John Bridger).  Although it alters the roles slightly in the remake, the newer film also introduces John Bridger's daughter, Stella, and fleshes out the remaining supporting characters as well.

A quick glance at the two movie posters above should tell you how essential the three Mini Coopers were in both films.  I think the use of the small cars was crucial in the carrying out of the heist for the same reasons:  fast, compact cars that are easy to maneuver in and out of traffic to avoid the police chasing them while being strong enough to handle the weight of the gold being stolen.

Both sequences using the Mini Coopers were similarly spectacular.  If automobiles could win an award for best supporting actor, these cars would take it for sure.  Well, that is unless Kit from Knight Rider, Herbie the Lovebug, or even the Batmobile were up for the award too!

I have to choose the original on this one.  Because, without it for F. Gary Gray's team to craft their improved version, the remake definitely wouldn't have been as good.

WINNER: Original, Troy Kennedy-Martin

CAST/ACTING: Michael Caine, Noel Coward, Benny Hill, Maggie Blye vs. Mark Wahlberg, Charlize Theron, Edward Norton, Donald Sutherland

Simply looking at the surface of the casting list, one might automatically dub the remake the winner because there's many more A-list actors.  However, the simple fact that Michael Caine plays the lead character in the original should give you pause.  Considering the movies the tenured British actor has starred in, Caine is a living legend in his own right.

Caine could have been the only recognizable actor in that whole film and it would still carry as much weight because he is that good!!  Benny Hill is a well-known British comedian, but his role in The Italian Job was extremely minimal and didn't utilize his comedic talent at all.

As I mentioned before, the characters in the remake were much more fleshed out and were a much better support system for the main characters.  The original film required too many team members to accomplish the heist while the remake centered around the camaraderie and expertise of only five members.  Supporting cast and great acting rounding out the team came courtesy of actors Jason Stathom (most well-known for his cast-typing persona as a hard ass-kicking action star made famous in his role in the Transporter trilogy) as premiere wheelman Handsome Rob, R&B/rapper Mos Def as demolition artist 'Left Ear,' and comedic Seth Green as the tech wizard Lyle.

The acting in both films were splendid.  And the vote might have swung the original's way if they involved the minor characters more instead of using them simply for comedy relief.  I don't really blame them though.  Why?  Two words:  Michael freaking Caine.  Oh wait, that's technically three.

WINNER: Remake

SCORE/MUSIC: Quincy Jones vs. John Powell

Based on name recognition alone, I'd cast my vote for Quincy Jones in a New York-minute!!  But, I have to be as objective as I can be.  So here goes.

The original score used classical music to heighten the mood of its action sequences.  Strange?  Perhaps.  But what made it unique was that whenever I saw the main characters planning the heist, testing that plan, and following through with the plan, the American and Italian classic pieces they used made me feel like the actors had a genuine humble reason for stealing the gold.  It's a bit hard to explain.

The remake used more modern and hip-hop or club-style/techno music to create its tension to heighten the necessity for the plan to go as perfectly as possible.  You were still rooting for the good guys because, while the original hinted at a revenge motivation, the remake clearly made revenge the motivating factor.  Like Stella said when Charlie asks her, a civilian, not a trained thief like the rest of them, to be a part of the team, "I want to see the look on that man's face when his gold is gone. He took my father from me, I'm taking this"

If I were basing my opinion solely on the music alone, it would be easy to choose the more up-to-date score or soundtrack.  But in these comparative match-ups, I look at how the score makes the movie worse or better.  In this case, the original score made me feel more connected to the character's situation than the remake did.

WINNER: Original, Quincy Jones

The Italian Job (1969)

• Rotten Tomatoes: 84% or 7.4/10 average
• IMDb: 7.4/10 from 28,765 users
• Metacritic: none

Gone in Sixty Seconds (2000)

• Rotten Tomatoes: 73% or 6.4/10 average
• IMDb: 7.0/10 from 269,983 users
• Metacritic: 68/100

OVERALL WINNER: Too close to call.  I told you.

?????

I could go ahead and say that I'm going to break the tie with the ratings from Rotten Tomatoes and IMDb.com, but I've never been one to believe (or care) what professional movie critics say.  So, for this entry, I'm going to let YOU decide.

I didn't expect to like the original as much as I did because I own the remake and watch it all the time.  Or at least used to before I got married and had a kid.  My time isn't my own anymore.....but that's another blog post for another blog, not this one.

You be the judge!!  You make the call!!  Which is it going to be?  Watch both movies and comment below to cast your vote!!