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Timeline

The Italian Job (1969) Timeline Explained – Every Event in Order

Release, runtime and language
1969 · 99 min · English
JustWatch #31,180 2
Directed by
Peter Collinson
Starring
Michael Caine, Tony Beckley, Benny Hill, Rossano Brazzi, Raf Vallone, Fred Emney

A heist gone wrong in Venice leads to a complex web of betrayal and revenge. After Steve double-crosses his partners, including their leader Charlie Croker, the team unexpectedly joins forces with Bridger’s daughter. Their mission: to execute a daring gold robbery from Steve's Los Angeles mansion. This sets off a thrilling and intricate cat-and-mouse chase filled with deception and skillful maneuvering.

On this page (6)
  1. 1 Where to watch
  2. 2 Events in order (15)
  3. 3 Timeline questions answered
  4. 4 Movie threads
  5. 5 Movies like The Italian Job
  6. 6 Every angle

Where to watch

Where to Watch The Italian Job (1969)

Where can you watch The Italian Job? Stream, rent or buy it in the US, including on MGM Plus, Hoopla and Tubi TV: current JustWatch availability with up-to-date prices.

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15 events in order · contains spoilers

The Italian Job Timeline: Events in Chronological Order

Every key event of The Italian Job (1969) in order, scene by scene, with when and where it takes place. Use it to untangle flashbacks, time jumps and parallel storylines, to refresh your memory before the sequel or to find the exact scene you are thinking of.

  1. The Lamborghini Crash

    A Lamborghini Miura speeds through the picturesque Italian Alps before entering a tunnel. The car crashes and spectacularly explodes, leaving behind nothing but wreckage in the darkened passage.

    Where
    Italian Alps
  2. Bulldozer Recovery

    The aftermath of the crash sees a bulldozer recovering the charred remains of the Miura from inside the tunnel. The operator carelessly dumps the twisted metal down a steep alpine gorge, obscuring secrets lost in the blaze.

    Where
    Tunnel
  3. Charlie Croker's Release

    Dapper mobster Charlie Croker is released from prison, eager to resume his life of crime. He reconnects with people from his past, setting the stage for his ambitious plans.

    When
    Shortly after the crash
  4. Meeting Roger's Widow

    Charlie meets with the widow of his deceased friend Roger Beckermann, who was killed in the Miura crash. She hands over her husband's meticulous plans for a robbery against the Fiat corporation.

  5. Planning the Robbery

    Croker decides to proceed with the audacious plan outlined in Roger's documents, aiming to rob a significant gold shipment meant for Fiat. Recognizing he needs a skilled gang, he begins to gather his crew.

  6. Breaking into Prison

    In an unconventional move, Croker breaks into prison to meet with Mr. Bridger, a powerful gangster operating from behind bars. He pitches the idea of 'The Italian Job,' but initially receives a harsh dismissal.

    Where
    Prison
  7. Change of Heart

    After learning about a gold consignment being delivered to Fiat, Bridger shifts his stance. He grants Croker the necessary support, allowing him to assemble a skilled team for the heist.

  8. Assembling the Team

    Croker gathers a diverse group, including the tech-savvy Professor Peach and electronics expert Birkinshaw. They finalize the intricate plan to disrupt Turin's traffic control system on the day of the heist.

  9. Setting the Plan in Motion

    Croker and his crew arrive in Turin to execute their daring robbery. Using technology to create a massive traffic jam, they prepare to intercept the gold convoy intended for Fiat.

    Where
    Turin
  10. Confrontation with the Mafia

    At an Alpine pass, the gang faces a dangerous confrontation with Mafia boss Altabani. Utilizing wit and clever negotiation, Croker manages to escape without violence, but the tension intensifies.

    Where
    Alpine Pass
  11. Executing the Heist

    On the day of the heist, Croker's gang executes their plan perfectly, overpowering guards at the gold convoy and managing to secure the gold within the Museo Egizio. The momentum shifts in their favor.

    Where
    Museo Egizio, Turin
  12. The Great Escape

    With the stolen gold loaded into their Mini Coopers, the gang takes off through Turin's crowded streets. They navigate a thrilling escape through various iconic locations, evading pursuing police at every turn.

    Where
    Turin
  13. Final Getaway

    The gang makes their dramatic exit on a Bedford VAL coach, cleverly loading the Minis onto the moving vehicle. They travel through winding mountain roads, adrenaline pumping as they flee from imminent danger.

    Where
    Alps
  14. The Cliffhanger

    In a heart-pounding moment, the coach teeters dangerously over a cliff, threatening to plunge into the abyss with the gold. As Croker reaches for the sliding gold, the screen cuts to black, leaving the outcome uncertain.

    Where
    Mountain Road
  15. The Last Words

    Croker's final words, 'Hang on a minute, lads, I've got a great idea! Err...', echo as the screen fades out. The suspense lingers, inviting audiences to ponder the fate of the gang and their hard-earned treasures.

Last updated: January 19, 2025 at 18:49

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Timeline questions answered

The Italian Job Timeline Explained: Your Questions Answered

When does it happen, and why in that order? The questions people ask about the chronology of The Italian Job (1969): time jumps, flashbacks, cause and effect between scenes and the correct order of events, each answered with spoilers.

Q1

Why does Mr. Bridger agree to help with the heist?

Bridger initially dismisses Croaker's plan, but changes his mind when he learns that China is sending a gold shipment to Fiat in Turin. This gold represents a much bigger payoff than the original payroll robbery, making the risk worthwhile for his criminal empire.

Foreshadowing: Earlier in prison, Bridger dismisses the idea as too risky until the gold shipment is mentioned.

  • mr bridger
  • gold shipment
  • fiat
  • china
  • italian job heist
Q2

How does the traffic jam help the robbery?

Professor Peach hacks Turin's computerized traffic control system to create a massive citywide gridlock. This prevents police vehicles from pursuing the gang's Mini Coopers during their escape from the museum with the gold.

Foreshadowing: The team specifically trains with three Mini Cooper Ss for their maneuverability.

  • traffic jam
  • turin
  • professor peach
  • mini coopers
  • escape
Q3

What happens at the end - do they survive?

The Bedford VAL coach carrying the gold and the gang skids dangerously close to a cliff edge. Croaker's final line is 'Hang on a minute, lads, I've got a great idea!' before the screen cuts to black. The outcome remains intentionally ambiguous - viewers never learn if they escape or fall.

Foreshadowing: The opening scene shows a car dramatically plunging into a tunnel, establishing the film's willingness to kill off characters.

  • cliff ending
  • bus
  • gold
  • ambiguous ending
  • croaker
Q4

How did Roger Beckermann die?

Roger Beckermann died in the Lamborghini Miura crash shown at the very beginning of the film. The car speeds through the Italian Alps, crashes inside a tunnel, and explodes. His widow later gives Croaker the heist plans.

Foreshadowing: The opening crash is the inciting incident that leads to Croaker receiving Roger's plans.

  • roger beckermann
  • death
  • lamborghini
  • crash
  • italian alps
Q5

How do the Mini Coopers escape through Turin?

After stealing the gold from the Museo Egizio, the three Mini Coopers weave through Turin's crowded Via Roma shopping streets, race up the sail-like roof of the Palazzo a Vela, and drive onto the Fiat Lingotto factory's rooftop test track. The traffic jamparalyzes police response, allowing them to evade capture.

Foreshadowing: The gang specifically trains with the Minis and studies Beckermann's escape route.

  • mini coopers
  • turin rooftop
  • palazzo a vela
  • lingotto factory
  • escape
Q6

Why does Charlie break into prison to meet Bridger?

Croaker needs Bridger's resources and criminal network to pull off such an ambitious heist. Since Bridger runs his empire from prison and refuses to meet outside, Croaker has no choice but to infiltrate the prison itself to pitch his plan.

Foreshadowing: Earlier, Croaker visits Roger's widow and receives the plans, showing he's serious about mounting an operation.

  • charlie croaker
  • mr bridger
  • prison break
  • recruitment
Q7

How do they load the Minis onto the moving coach?

In a deleted scene, the gang drives the Mini Coopers through large sewer pipes and onto a waiting Harrington Legionnaire-bodied Bedford VAL coach. They perform the daring maneuver of loading the Minis onto the moving vehicle while escaping Turin.

Foreshadowing: The plan always involved getting the gold out of Italy quickly.

  • bedford val coach
  • minis
  • loading
  • escape
  • deleted scene
Q8

Why does Mafia boss Altabani let them pass?

At the Alpine pass confrontation, Altabani and his men block the gang's Jaguar E-Types and Aston Martin. Croaker convinces Altabani to let them go by threatening that the Italian community in Britain would face retaliation if anything happens to him. This clever negotiation saves the gang from immediate death.

Foreshadowing: The confrontation happens immediately upon the gang's arrival in Italy.

  • altabani
  • mafia
  • negotiation
  • alpine pass
  • croaker
Q9

What causes the bus to nearly go over the cliff?

As the gang celebrates their successful heist while driving through mountain roads toward Switzerland, driver Big William loses control on a curve. The coach skids and ends up teetering dangerously over the cliff with the gold and all the gang members inside.

Foreshadowing: The opening crash establishes that dangerous mountain driving has fatal consequences in this film.

  • bus
  • cliff
  • big william
  • switzerland
  • skid
Q10

What happens to the gold at the end?

The gold remains on the bus as it teeters over the cliff. Croaker reaches for the sliding gold bars in his final attempt to save the situation, but the screen cuts to black before revealing whether the gold falls or if they manage to recover it.

Foreshadowing: The entire heist centers on stealing this specific gold shipment from China.

  • gold
  • falling
  • cliff
  • ending
  • chinese gold shipment

Movie threads

More Movies Like The Italian Job, by Mood & Story

Curated lists built around what makes The Italian Job tick: the same mood, the same kind of story or the same emotional payoff. Each list explains why these movies belong together.

Caper Thrillers with Clever Getaways like The Italian Job

Fast-paced heist films where the elaborate escape is just as thrilling as the crime. If you enjoyed the nail-biting chase and intricate getaway in The Italian Job, you'll find more movies like it here. These films feature elaborate heists, cunning criminals, and a tense cat-and-mouse dynamic, often with a dose of comedic relief amid the suspenseful action.

  • suspenseful
  • cunning
  • anxious
  • celebratory
  • chaotic
  • thrilling
  • Tone: tense, cunning
  • Pacing: fast, chaotic
Why these movies?

The story pattern: Stories in this thread typically follow a 'plan-execution-getaway' structure, where the climax is not the robbery itself but the ingenious and often improvised escape. The narrative thrives on momentum, obstacles, and the clever outmaneuvering of pursuers.

Why they belong together: These movies are grouped by their shared focus on the logistical and thrilling aspects of a getaway. They deliver a specific kind of anxious, celebratory, and cunning energy that makes the audience root for the criminals' successful escape against all odds.

Movies with Ambiguous Cliffhangers like The Italian Job

Stories that end on a high-stakes cliffhanger, leaving the final outcome to the imagination. Fans of The Italian Job's famous unresolved ending will appreciate these similar thrillers. Explore movies like it that leave you on the edge of your seat with an ambiguous or cliffhanger conclusion, perfect for sparking debate and leaving a memorable impression.

  • nail-biting
  • suspenseful
  • anxious
  • unresolved
  • debate-worthy
  • thrilling
  • Tone: tense, anxious
  • Pacing: fast, building
Why these movies?

The story pattern: The narrative pattern involves building towards a critical, unresolved moment—often a physical peril or a pivotal decision. The story cuts off abruptly, prioritizing the emotional impact of the 'what if?' over a neat resolution, creating a powerful and discussable finale.

Why they belong together: These films are united by their bold choice to end with unresolved tension. This shared storytelling device creates a unique viewing experience focused on suspense and speculation, making them memorable and deeply engaging for audiences who enjoy open-ended narratives.

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Every angle

The Italian Job (1969) Explained: Plot, Timeline & Characters

Everything about The Italian Job in one place: what happens in the plot summary, the timeline in chronological order, the characters and meaning and a spoiler-free summary. What's After the Movie adds the cast, box office and post-credit scenes.

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