Plot Explained Spoilers guaranteed!
Plot Explained

Browse by genre

The Italian (2007) movie poster

Timeline

The Italian (2007) Timeline Explained – Every Event in Order

Release, runtime and language
2007 · 90 min · English
Directed by
Andrey Kravchuk
Starring
Kolya Spiridonov, Mariya Kuznetsova, Nikolay Reutov

A young boy from Russia embarks on a journey to discover his birth mother, revealing the complexities of illegal adoptions and the impact on families. The film explores themes of identity and the deep connection between parents and children, offering a compassionate look at a national crisis. Director Andrei Kravchuk presents a powerful and moving true story.

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
  6. 6 Every angle

Where to watch

Where to Watch The Italian (2007)

Where can you watch The Italian? Stream, rent or buy it in the US, including on Fandango at Home Free, Tubi TV and Amazon Video: current JustWatch availability with up-to-date prices.

Streaming availability powered by JustWatch

15 events in order · contains spoilers

The Italian Timeline: Events in Chronological Order

Every key event of The Italian (2007) 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. Roger Beckerman's Fatal Accident

    As Roger Beckerman drives through the breathtaking Alps, a tragic turn of events leads to his car crashing headfirst into a bulldozer. The Mafia, responsible for this deadly incident, swiftly disposes of him and his vehicle by pushing them over a cliff into the treacherous waters below.

    Where
    Alps
  2. Charlie Croker's Reunion

    After being released from prison, Charlie Croker eagerly reunites with his girlfriend Lorna. However, the reunion takes a shocking twist when he learns he must meet Roger's widow instead, who urges him to fulfill her late husband's ambitious heist plans.

  3. The Heist Proposal

    Roger's widow reveals the details of an audacious plan to steal $4 million in gold bullion from a security convoy meant for Fiat as a down payment from China. Inspired by her determination, Croker decides to take on the challenge and complete the mission.

  4. Seeking Support from Mr. Bridger

    Determined to make the heist happen, Croker breaks back into prison to enlist the help of British nationalist crime lord Mr. Bridger. Although hesitant at first, Bridger shows interest in the operation once he learns about the lucrative target.

    Where
    Prison
  5. Assembling the Crew

    With Mr. Bridger's backing, Croker gathers a skilled team for the heist, including Lorna and technology expert Professor Simon Peach. Each member brings unique skills essential for executing the operation and overcoming inevitable obstacles.

  6. Warning at the Funeral

    The crew attends a deceptive funeral orchestrated by Bridger, where they receive a stark warning about the Mafia's threats. This revelation underscores the dangers they face, especially after witnessing Roger's mysterious demise.

  7. Confrontation with the Mafia

    Upon arriving in Italy, Croker and part of his team encounter the Mafia, led by the formidable Altabani, while navigating the Alps. In a dramatic ambush similar to Roger's fate, they find themselves in danger before Croker uses his clever negotiation skills to secure their release.

    Where
    Alps
  8. Sabotaging Turin's Traffic System

    Croker's team infiltrates the Turin traffic control center, where Simon Peach skillfully swaps out a data storage reel with a fake. This critical move successfully disables the city's traffic control, paving the way for their heist.

    Where
    Turin Traffic Control Center
  9. Protective Move for Lorna

    As the gold convoy approaches, Croker makes a protective decision to send Lorna to Geneva. This choice ensures her safety while the rest of the crew prepares for the risky heist ahead.

    Where
    Geneva
  10. Betrayal From Within

    During the heist preparations, Peach's loyalty comes into question as he ultimately betrays the crew's trust. His questionable actions lead to his arrest, leaving the remaining team to navigate the heist without him.

  11. The Gold Heist

    With the traffic system chaotic and CCTV down, Croker’s crew executes their plan. They intercept the gold convoy outside the Museo Egizio, taking control of the police and expertly loading the precious gold into three Mini Coopers.

    Where
    Museo Egizio
  12. Daring Escape

    Disguised as enthusiastic football fans, Croker leads his team on a daring escape through Turin. Utilizing the route crafted by Beckerman, they navigate an intricate path through streets, sewers, and rooftops to evade capture.

    Where
    Turin
  13. Celebration in Prison

    Back in prison, news of the successful heist reaches Mr. Bridger, who revels in the excitement with his cellmates. Meanwhile, Croker's crew is still on the run, carrying their newly acquired treasure.

    Where
    Prison
  14. The Coach's Close Call

    After rendezvousing with a modified coach to transport the Minis, the team faces a nail-biting moment when the driver loses control. The coach teeters on the edge of a cliff, forcing Croker to act quickly to balance the weight of the gold and prevent disaster.

  15. Croker's Great Idea

    As the tension mounts and the coach struggles to stabilize, Croker declares with confidence, 'Hang on a minute lads. I've got a great idea.' This moment embodies his resourcefulness and leadership as he navigates the unexpected challenges of their heist.

Last updated: November 15, 2024 at 20:05

Was this helpful?

Timeline questions answered

The Italian Timeline Explained: Your Questions Answered

When does it happen, and why in that order? The questions people ask about the chronology of The Italian (2007): time jumps, flashbacks, cause and effect between scenes and the correct order of events, each answered with spoilers.

Q1

Why does the Mafia kill Roger Beckerman?

The Mafia kills Roger Beckerman because he took a new job working for them, which ultimately led to his demise. They dispose of him by crashing his car into a bulldozer and pushing both him and his vehicle over a cliff into the waters below. This serves as a warning to others and eliminates a potential loose end.

  • roger beckerman mafia death
  • why roger dies
  • mafia elimination
Q2

Why does Charlie Croker agree to do the gold heist?

Charlie Croker agrees to the heist after meeting with Roger's widow, who urges him to carry forward her late husband's ambitious plan. The target is $4 million in gold bullion being transported as a down payment from China to Fiat. Inspired by the challenge and the potential payoff, Croker decides to take on the dangerous operation.

  • charlie croker motivation
  • why heist
  • roger widow request
Q3

Why does Mr. Bridger agree to fund the heist?

Mr. Bridger initially hesitates when Croker breaks back into prison to seek his support, but becomes interested once he learns the specific target: gold bullion worth $4 million intended as a down payment to Fiat by China. The lucrative nature of the heist convinces the British crime lord to back Croker's operation.

  • mr bridger support
  • why fund heist
  • gold target motive
Q4

Why does Professor Simon Peach betray the crew?

Simon Peach's betrayal occurs during the heist preparations, though the specific motivation behind his actions is not detailed in the summary. His betrayal leads to his arrest, leaving the remaining crew to complete the operation without his technical expertise.

  • simon peach betrayal
  • why tech expert turns
  • crew traitor
Q5

Why does Charlie Croker send Lorna to Geneva before the heist?

Charlie Croker sends Lorna to Geneva as a protective measure as the gold convoy approaches the airport. Recognizing the dangerous nature of the upcoming operation, he makes the decision to ensure her safety away from the high-risk heist location.

  • lorna geneva
  • why protect lorna
  • charlie sends girlfriend away
Q6

How does the crew sabotage Turin's traffic system?

Professor Simon Peach infiltrates the Turin traffic control center and swaps a data storage reel with a counterfeit replica. This critical move successfully disables the city's traffic control system, creating the chaos needed for the crew to execute their heist without police interference.

  • turin traffic hack
  • how sabotage works
  • peach tech job
Q7

Why does the Mafia ambush Charlie Croker in the Alps?

Upon arriving in Italy, Charlie Croker and part of his team encounter the Mafia led by boss Altabani in the Alps. The ambush mirrors Roger Beckerman's earlier fate, with the Mafia destroying their vehicles. Croker manages to negotiate their release from this deadly situation using his wit.

Foreshadowing: The warning at the funeral about Mafia dangers foreshadows this confrontation.

  • mafia ambush alps
  • why attack charlie
  • altabani threat
Q8

Why is the escape route through Turin important?

The escape route through Turin was devised by Roger Beckerman before his death. Croker leads his crew through this intricate path, utilizing stairs, pedestrian avenues, rooftops, and sewers to evade capture. The route proves crucial in helping the crew successfully escape after the heist.

  • beckerman escape route
  • turin escape path
  • heist getaway
Q9

Why does the coach nearly go off a cliff?

After rendezvousing with a modified coach to collect the Mini Coopers loaded with gold, the driver loses control while the crew celebrates. The coach's rear teeters on the edge of a cliff due to the weight imbalance from the gold. Croker must act quickly to balance the weight and prevent disaster.

  • coach cliff accident
  • gold weight danger
  • near death escape
Q10

What happens to the gold after the successful heist?

The crew loads the gold into three Mini Coopers and escapes disguised as football fans. After rendezvousing with a modified coach, they transfer the gold and dispose of the Mini Coopers in the wilderness. The crew then celebrates as they make their way to safety through the Alps.

  • gold disposal
  • what happens to gold
  • heist loot
Q11

Why is the gold destined for Fiat significant to the heist?

The gold being transported represents a $4 million down payment from China to Fiat for a car factory. This specific target makes the heist particularly lucrative and attracts the support of Mr. Bridger, who sees the substantial payoff worth the risk involved.

  • fia t gold payment
  • china italy deal
  • heist target meaning

Movie threads

More Movies Like The Italian, by Mood & Story

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

Tense high-stakes escape movies like The Italian

Stories of characters in constant danger, racing against time and powerful enemies. If you enjoyed the relentless tension and perilous journey in The Italian, explore more movies like it. These films feature desperate escapes, strategic planning under pressure, and characters constantly on the run from dangerous forces.

  • tense
  • suspenseful
  • thrilling
  • adventurous
  • anxious
  • daring
  • Tone: tense, suspenseful
  • Pacing: fast, relentless
Why these movies?

The story pattern: Narratives in this thread often follow a linear race-against-time structure, moving swiftly from a daring plan to its risky execution. Characters must use their wits to overcome overwhelming odds, facing external threats that create a continuous sense of imminent danger.

Why they belong together: Movies are grouped here for their shared focus on sustained tension and physical peril. They deliver a cohesive experience of adrenaline-fueled narratives where survival against powerful adversaries is the central driver.

Strategic crime and heist movies similar to The Italian

Films about meticulous heists and criminal enterprises that face unforeseen complications. For viewers who liked the strategic planning and criminal underworld dynamics of The Italian. Discover similar movies about complex heists, organized crime, and the tense execution of a daring plan that goes awry.

  • strategic
  • calculating
  • tense
  • thrilling
  • betrayal
  • high stakes
  • Tone: tense, calculating
  • Pacing: fast, strategic
Why these movies?

The story pattern: The narrative pattern involves the assembly of a plan or crew, the step-by-step execution of a complex operation, and the inevitable complications that arise. The climax often hinges on a betrayal or a rival faction disrupting the carefully laid scheme.

Why they belong together: These movies are united by their focus on the intellectual and logistical challenges of a major crime. They share a tone of calculated tension, where the thrill comes from the precision of the plan and the chaos that threatens it.

If you liked this

Movies Like The Italian

Similar movies to The Italian: the same genre, themes or kind of story. Each one comes with its own plot summary, timeline and ending explained.

Browse all movie summaries

Every angle

The Italian (2007) Explained: Plot, Timeline & Characters

Everything about The Italian 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.

Coming soon on iOS and Android

The Plot Explained Movie Summary App

Plot summaries, endings explained and timelines on your phone. Catch up on any movie in minutes, save your favorites and never miss a twist again.

Be the first to know when we launch. Your email stays private, always.

Learn more about the app