First Product Analysis Elliot

The Italian Job (Collinson, 1969)



Genre
The Italian Job is a film that falls under a few genres; action, comedy but predominantly British gangster. It is not the conventional British gangster film include drugs, guns, violence and crime, but it does have elements of crime and very little violence.
The opening sequence of the film starts slowly and from just the first two minutes the audience wouldn’t be able to tell its genre. As all that is seen is a car driving through the rocky mountains of Italy. But just after the title has been shown, still part of the intro, one short sequence of events would give the audience a clear idea of the violence and gangster mentality that will be shown throughout the film.
The Italian Job although seeming to be a British gangster film proving the conventions of many other texts of this genre, it seems to handle the themes differently. The crime that links the storyline together is very organised and perfectly executed giving the desired effect in one large ‘Job’ whereas many other British gangster films would have different parts of crime all linked together with a few problems along the way in which they find themselves lucky to get out of. It is simple to see that from the first few minutes of the film the crime would be very well organised and executed with pure perfection.

Film Language
The mise-en-scene used in the opening few minutes of the film shows the audience subtly the meaning conveyed throughout the film. The costumes used at the end of the intro fit perfectly with the gangster genre and the props used help to enhance their feelings towards the actions. For example a reef is rolled to show respect for the person that they have just killed. Respect is a main convention and theme that runs throughout the majority, if not all, British gangster films. By using a reef for a prop in the opening sequence the audience will understand the respect that is being shown and also the black costumes help to derive this information as well. Also the lighting in the opening minutes of the film seems to convey some meaning. The light is very bright to begin with, showing the sun and clear view of the road ahead. Then just before the crime takes place, the driver of the car starts into a tunnel. Obviously things are dark and this is what leads to the ‘accident.’ Although the dark lighting could have been used to show the darkness of death and crime, as the two are often linked. However not all of the mise-en-scene conveys meaning in the opening of The Italian Job, for example the location of the scene. It seems to be set in the mountains of Italy with the sun shining. These are not the sort of scenes usually seen in British gangster texts, however being set in Italy it could be seen as putting emphasis on the title of the film, perhaps giving the title a true meaning.
The camera techniques used at the beginning of The Italian Job vary significantly from tilts to close ups. Each one is used in a certain way that seems to convey a sense of meaning to what the images show. For example; the extreme long shot tilting downwards shows the vast landscape and the deserted area of the up and coming scene. This gives the audience an idea that the man driving the car in the opening is quite insignificant and all alone, with the freedom to do what he wishes. But it also can seem as if the murder is hidden from reality and nobody will see it as the enormity of the landscape is not filled with habitants. Therefore nobody will notice the insignificant ‘accident’ that takes place. Another shot that seems to be quite important is the close up. There is a large focus on the man driving the car all the way up the mountain. He seems to be a ‘cool’ character with his sunglasses and driving a sports car. Although the audience never learn the characters name and so using close ups to show his face would lead to intrigue for the audience. By showing his face it would seem that he is of some importance and the audience would want to find out who he was.
The sound used within the first few minutes of the film play an important role in sending the audience the right message. A soft mellow song being sung by a male’s deep voice is played throughout the intro and this seems to be somewhat relevant. Being no narrative or any form of dialogue to start with the music is a main feature of the sound. The music gives the feeling of freedom and happiness with its mellow pleasant sound and it fits perfectly with the beautiful landscape and bright sunshine shown with long shot camera techniques. However, this is not the only sound that plays an important role in anchoring the images. The powerful roar of the cars engine creates the effect that it is powerful and important. The close up shots of the chassis are anchored by the roaring of the car due to both the importance of a close up and the dominating sound.
There is no dialogue in the opening sequence of the text but through non-verbal actions there is a lot to learn about the characters. The ‘cool’ man driving the Italian sports car acts as if there are very little cares in the world and he shows his passion for driving and ‘the good life.’ It could be interpreted that he gives of a sense of arrogance as his actions seem like he is the most important person. He drives quickly through the mountains not slowing for passing cars and obviously with the sports car he has quite a lot of money. These things may make the audience envisage what type of person he really is. The only other characters seen in the intro of the film are the gangster’s that are involved with the murder. From the black costumes and the reef the audience can see that these characters have a respect for humanity. They also take their hats off as the car is shunted off the road and the reef is thrown afterwards, showing respect. However the fact that they have just murdered an innocent man, or so it seems, there is a slight contradiction of actions. So the audience understands that they are gangsters and they lead a life of crime but at the same time it may just be a job and that they do actually have respect for people and their actions.

Representation & Ideology
There are two main social groups that are represented in the opening sequence of The Italian Job; the middle class wealthy sporty male, and the British gangster working class violent males. The middle class man is represented by the driver of the sports car he is clearly well off as he can afford to buy a nice car that would be very expensive at the time of the film. The working class men are represented by the British gangsters. From their actions it can be understood that they are just doing a job for their leading man. Their choice of business may be wrong and unjust however it is making them money just like any other working class man. There is no representation of females in the opening sequence which would give the impression of it being a male’s film.
The beliefs and values in The Italian Job are difficult to understand. One of the most obvious values that are present in many British Gangster texts is respect. It is almost a convention of gangsters. Again through the same actions as touched on before by removing hats and throwing a reef respect is shown. Another belief that is present is the belief that comeuppance is given for bad actions. Also being present at the very end of the film, the first three or four minutes shows the same thing. The wealthy man driving the nice car in a sunny country is killed by British gangsters. They clearly would have had a motive to kill him and make it look like an accident but what it is the audience does not find out. However driving a ‘swanky’ car in a hot country quickly would give the impression that he does not deserve the car and that some sort of crime has taken place for him to have to take a new lifestyle. Therefore comeuppance for his actions would be his death. This belief is present all the way through the film especially at the end.
The Italian Job uses the characteristics and conventions of the British gangster genre although it applies them in a different way to most other gangster texts. The crime is slightly different as it is planned out down to the last ‘T’ whereas many other gangster films the criminals don’t often have the intelligence to do so. There isn’t a great deal of violence which many British gangster films spread all throughout the whole text. Also a lot of emphasis is on the cars and driving aspects that make this film what it is which are not usual conventions of British gangster films. However the film is quite a serious film and it does not seem to mock any of the gangster conventions that it uses. The opening sequence sets the serious mood of the film with an early death which proves that the film is not one filled with irony.

Media Audiences
The target audience of The Italian Job seems to be all ages of males. Mainly probably the younger generation that are interested in cars and all the conventions that come with a British gangster film. It wouldn’t appeal much to a female audience as British gangster texts often show a sexist view towards women and there is little representation of women at all in The Italian Job.
The preferred reading of the audience would probably be that the crime represented in the film is wrong however it is brave and cunning of the characters to pull off such a ‘job.’ The audience may feel a sense of comradeship with the characters as they would enjoy being in their situation but, knowing that it is wrong and would not happen.
The negotiated reading would be that the audience understand the preferred meaning, however perhaps believing that all crime is completely unjust and wrong and therefore not understand fully the plot and the characters mentality.
From a personal opinion I understand that crime is wrong but I am fascinated by cars and I am passionate for cars and their importance and ability in everyday life. I also would very much enjoy being part of a gang living life on the edge taking risks and having a bit of fun with an unusual job. However I know it will not be something that I would ever consider actually doing. This may be because I have been brought up to know that crime is not a good way of life. But I have also been lucky enough to grow up in a wealthy family surrounded by people interested in cars owning nice luxurious, quick cars and I think I have inherited my passion for cars and action from my father. And naturally being a male this film would interest me more than if I were a female.

Institutional Context
Michael Caine is the main star and character featured in the film. Before the film was created he starred in a few films one of the most significant being Alfie (Gilbert, 1966). The main reason for films using stars to feature in them is to attract audiences. People will want to see a star as they know of their work and like other films that they have been in. If the film starred an actor that people were not aware of it may give the impression that the film is not going to be very good.
Oakhurst productions produced the film and it was an industrial made film. This gave the director opportunity to experiment with scenes as the funds were quite large. It also helps to attract big stars to the roles and promotion of the film was easier.
The main way in which the film was marketed and promoted was through posters. Large posters showing the star Michael Caine with the three different coloured mini coopers in the centre. As the film was released in 1969 it was not common to use a trailer for people to see on television. However another form of promotion used were taglines for example ‘You’re only supposed to blow the bloody doors off.’ People would hear the sayings and be intrigued to watch the film.
The film itself was quite a ground breaking production as it had never really been seen before. It was one of the first car chases to take place and be shown on screen and therefore it seems that it perhaps built up the institutional context of the production.