Just been watching the original film on Sky+, and got wondering…
Does anyone know where the end scene was actually filmed?? And what road the opening credits were fimed on??
Also, when they board the boat, was it a proper Cross Channel Ferry, or a specifically chartered boat for the film. The boat has the name “Free Enterprise I” on the side of it, and is an off Green and White colour…
Anyone have any ideas■■?
The opening sequence with the Lamborghini was shot in the Italian Alps, the scene where it exploded in a tunnel was in a place called Aosta. Peter Collinson’s wife, Hazel had to take their baby to a lower town as it had caught a fever in the thin air.
The ferry that the jobbers boarded to get to the continent was called ‘Free Enterprise I’. It was built in Holland in 1962, for Townsend Brothers Ferries’ Dover-Calais service. In 1968, ownership passed to Townsend Thoresen. Since 1980 it had various name and owner changes. In 1997 it was renamed Kallisti. She was used during the summer on cruises between Crete-Santorini, and in winter between Lavrio-Tinos-Mykonos and as of 2003 was still in service!
In the final scene the Herrington coach was left dangling over a cliff at Cherosoli in the Alpsbut the ‘in coach’ shots were filmed back at Twickenham Studios.
Done hows that then next question
What they should have done is revved up the engine until the diesel ran out then with the weight of the fuel gone from the rear, one of them could have moved to the back of the coach and started passing the gold back.
Harry Monk:
What they should have done is revved up the engine until the diesel ran out then with the weight of the fuel gone from the rear, one of them could have moved to the back of the coach and started passing the gold back.
AAARRRRRGH … Classic ending to that film - leave it be !!
Harry Monk:
What they should have done is revved up the engine until the diesel ran out then with the weight of the fuel gone from the rear, one of them could have moved to the back of the coach and started passing the gold back.
If they had kept the LWB Landy with the winch on it .Low box it would have pulled it back to the road no probs!!.The best vehicle in the world tough as old boots !!
No, what they should’ve done is get a lorry driver to drive the bus, then the pallet of gold would’ve been strapped down & wouldn’t have moved in the 1st place 
the coach in quiestion was brought from a coach firm called princess summerbee in west end (southampton) for the makeing of the film the company is still goin today
The Scenes with the 3 Mini’s in the tunnel, was filmed under the Village of Baginton , Nr Coventry, the entrance was at Whitley, in the new sewer tunnel that was being built back then by Streeters of Godalming and Kinear Moody, one of the sites for all the workers was just up the road , and there was many a party at our house in those days, just wished I’d been old enough.
ron huntley:
the coach in quiestion was brought from a coach firm called princess summerbee in west end (southampton) for the makeing of the film the company is still goin today
Harrington Legionnaire
The most famous coach ever? ALR 453B which was delivered new to Battens coaches of London, then eventually into the hands of the production team and it was converted especially for the film. After its epic use in the film ALR did go back to being a coach and was scrapped about 1990 after being in service with several operators, mainly in the Scotland area. The coach had to be reinforced behind the drivers seat so that when the Coopers came into the back they didn’t crush the driver. Even though plating had been secured, the drivers seat was still pushed forward several inches, enough for the driver to be touching the steering wheel with his stomach!
When the Legionnaire was on it’s way to Turin, it has London - Turin on the destination display above the windscreen, on the way back it had been changed to Turin - London. It also proudly displayed ‘Charlie Croker’s Coach Tours’ logos on the rear and both flanks.
dieseldog6:
The Scenes with the 3 Mini’s in the tunnel, was filmed under the Village of Baginton , Nr Coventry, the entrance was at Whitley, in the new sewer tunnel that was being built back then by Streeters of Godalming and Kinear Moody, one of the sites for all the workers was just up the road , and there was many a party at our house in those days, just wished I’d been old enough.
Cooper in a barrel roll
The ‘in the sewer’ scene was filmed near Coventry in Stoke Aldermoor, where several miles of the Birmingham-Coventry sewer was being constructed. The camera car was a Mini Moke that preceded the Coopers and was driven by one of Remy’s team. Remy was excited about the scene as he wanted to complete a 360 barrel roll, essentially getting the Cooper upside down on the ceiling of the sewer. Remy tried three times, but the slippery algae caused problems and the Mini ended up on it’s roof three times. The car was so badly damaged that a forth attempt was ruled out. John Aldred, the sound mixer claims that Remy did complete a barrel roll on one rehearsal, but the cameras weren’t rolling and it was the only stunt in the finished film to defeat Remy.
As Whitley is next to Stoke Aldermore it could be either, but the cars drove through to Finham sewer which goes under Baginton, the sewer never went from Coventry to Birmingham, it was Coventry to Finham, my Brother worked on it.
[quoteThe coach had to be reinforced behind the drivers seat so that when the Coopers came into the back they didn’t crush the driver. Even though plating had been secured, the drivers seat was still pushed forward several inches, enough for the driver to be touching the steering wheel with his stomach![/quote]
Some ■■■■■■ has been driving minis in my cab then 
in the end credits,some filming was also apparently done in ireland.
The bit when somebodys under the back of a Mini on a crawlerboard “checking the differential” makes me chuckle … sorry ,being petty
YES THE PRISON SCENES WERE DONE IN ONE OF PRISON S OVER HEREIN IRELAND,ONE OF THE GUYS OUT OF WORK HIS OLD MAN WORKED AS A PRISON WARDEN AND WAS IN THE FILM ESCORTING MR BRIDGER TO HIS TABLE OR DOWN THE STAIRS.A BRILLIANT FILM,PITY IN ONE SENSE THERE WASN’T A ITALIAN JOB 2 DONE…
Just to bring this thread up to date – I saw in the national press this week that the problem of how to save the gold had been solved after all these years !!
The answer I saw was rather convulated – also I didn’t realise there was a competition to “sort” the problem !!
Big Leggy:
Just to bring this thread up to date – I saw in the national press this week that the problem of how to save the gold had been solved after all these years !!
The answer I saw was rather convulated – also I didn’t realise there was a competition to “sort” the problem !!
Yes it was treated as a scientific problem.
First access the tanks through the floor panel and drain all the diesel out.
Then break the front side windows to allow one of the gang to be lowered to let the tyres down thus altering the balance.
He then gets out and collects rocks from the mountainside to load into the cab further altering the weight balance.
All this allows one member of the gang to crawl towards the gold passing it back ingot by ingot.
What they do with it then is anyone’s guess - hitch hike?
Does this spoil what is one of the best endings to any film (possible exception of Duel ) ? No, not for me, I wouldn’t want a sequel though. And I have no desire to watch the latest Yankee remake. 
Spardo:
Big Leggy:
Just to bring this thread up to date – I saw in the national press this week that the problem of how to save the gold had been solved after all these years !!
The answer I saw was rather convulated – also I didn’t realise there was a competition to “sort” the problem !!Yes it was treated as a scientific problem.
First access the tanks through the floor panel and drain all the diesel out.
Then break the front side windows to allow one of the gang to be lowered to let the tyres down thus altering the balance.
He then gets out and collects rocks from the mountainside to load into the cab further altering the weight balance.
All this allows one member of the gang to crawl towards the gold passing it back ingot by ingot.
What they do with it then is anyone’s guess - hitch hike?Does this spoil what is one of the best endings to any film (possible exception of Duel
What they do with it then is anyone’s guess - hitch hike? 
No David 
What they do then is that one of the robbers get’s dressed up as a bonfire girl.
Eventually one of Bowkers, Martintrux, or an A1 Transport ( Leeds ) comes along and will probably help.
some great facts !!!,or are they ■■?