Review of The Italian Job (1969) by Compi24 — 23 May 2023

Could definitely be anchor bias on my part, but I think I prefer the F. Gary Gray version to this classic from 1969. That isn't to say I loathed watching this or anything like that. In fact, I think the final chase scene in this ultimately outshines anything I can remember from the remake.

For me, though, it was the revenge element of the 2003 film that ultimately won me over to the side of the crooks in question. Here, you're given the more matter-of-fact approach — almost something you'd see out of a Bond sequel or something.

The thief is working the eponymous heist because he's a thief, of course. It's what he does and he doesn't really need any better reason than that. I can totally see the appeal of it (especially for the era in question), but I know I'm far too overanalytically inclined to be satisfied with that reason and that alone.

Throw in some occasionally dopey humor and that's most of why I think I'm where I'm at in relation to which version I like more. Still, I can't say the overall watch was bad for either.