Research - The Italian Job

The opening to this film starts with an establishing shot of the Alps which is part of the iconography, it begins with a tracking shot which moves from a low angle to a high angle showing a piece of road and a red sports car driving down, this hints that the driver is quite wealthy. We are shown more tracking shots of the car interlaced with first person views inside with the man driving. There are also several shots onboard the car and close ups inside the car of the driver.

The titles appear from the driver’s perspective starting with the production company’s name followed by the names of two important actors in the film (Michael Cain and Noel Coward). The names are shown in red which could represent a sense of danger, it also highlights the names as the positions are in plain white. The names are then followed by the large movie title ‘The Italian Job’. The actors and then the production assistants are then credited before the final title, which credits the director (Peter Collinson).

At this point a calm soundtrack of music plays over the sound of the car and instils a sense of tranquillity for the viewer. This effect is used in contrast to the latter part of the scene when the music fades to the sound of the car entering a tunnel and crashing into a bulldozer waiting on the other side.

The organised state of the gangsters on the other side of the tunnel represents a large ruthless organisation as the wreck is then pushed in flames down a hill into a small river. We’re shown a clip of the gang leaders standing on the deceased driver’s glasses which emphasises superiority and that the driver has been wiped out. It shows fear for the mafia leaders standing over the wreck in smart dark suits.

The sound we hear is diegetic as we can hear the sound of the car engine. The music we hear is non-diegetic, as the actors on screen can’t hear it. A loud wheel screeching sound is heard showing panic in the driver as he breaks to try and avoid the bulldozer followed by a loud rumbling crash sound as the driver failed to break in time. As the car is totalled and rolled down the side of the hill, a dramatic music begins to play over the low angle view of the mafia, which again helps build a sense of superiority. The mafia then sarcastically throw a wreath down in memory of the deceased man.