michael Posted December 1, 2008 Share Posted December 1, 2008 http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/7756288.stm The mystery of The Italian Job's cliff-hanger has been resolved after almost 40 years by Sir Michael Caine. The 1969 film ends with a gang of gold thieves hanging over a ravine in a bus. Every step they take towards the loot threatens to tip them into the abyss. "Hang on lads, I've got a great idea," says Sir Michael's character, Charlie Croker... and then the credits roll. The star says he would have saved them by "switching on the engine", burning off petrol until it righted itself. "I crawl up, switch on the engine and stay there for four hours until all the petrol runs out," he said. "The van bounces back up so we can all get out, but then the gold goes over." "There are a load of Corsican Mafia at the bottom watching the whole thing with binoculars. They grab the gold, and then the sequel is us chasing it." Sir Michael first revealed his version of the events in a BBC One documentary marking his 70th birthday, but gave fuller details at the 2008 Visit London Awards this week - where he was named London's favourite Londoner. He even suggested that the alternative ending had been filmed in 1969, but producers later decided against using it. 'Plausible' His disclosure comes as the Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC) holds a competition to find the most original, and plausible ending to the film. Dr Richard Pike, chief executive of the RSC, told BBC Radio 4's Today programme that Sir Michael's explanation was just "one of those many plausible routes to securing all that gold". "I guess what we're looking for are the detailed calculations to show that, if you were to burn all that petrol off, would it be sufficient to allow the coach to balance?" Dr Pike added that almost 1,000 entries had been received for the competition, despite the stipulation that "the judges will not accept any solutions that involve the employment of a helicopter". "Beyond Michael Caine's own proposal, which a number of people have put in, others have suggested jumping out of the bus and going down and getting the gold," he said. "Others have suggested superconductivity and the use of magnetism - although some people have pointed out, quite rightly, that gold is not magnetic. "Other options involve even melting the gold, using the burning of the petrol, and in a sense sucking the liquid gold towards the fugitives." The competition winner will be revealed on 8 January 2009. Its aim is to promote greater understanding of science, and to highlight the 100th anniversary of the periodic table, of which gold is one of the 117 elements How would you have ended it? Personally I'm happy with the ending as it is, the cliffhanger works well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thorin Posted December 1, 2008 Share Posted December 1, 2008 Personally I'm happy with the ending as it is, the cliffhanger works well. Me too ...although a sequel starting off with that would have been good... made at the time and with all the original cast obviously, not some lousy US remake. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tbourner Posted December 1, 2008 Share Posted December 1, 2008 Couldn't they all climb out on the front of the bus, and send the lightest bloke down the back to start chucking tha bars up to the front? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevie_b Posted December 1, 2008 Share Posted December 1, 2008 I like the "cliffhanger" (I like what you did there Michael!) ending too. I like it when films leave something to the imagination, not just spoon-feeding every last detail into the audience. I take it from the article that December is a quiet month for chemistry then! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thorin Posted December 1, 2008 Share Posted December 1, 2008 Isn't this more of a physics question rather than chemistry? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevie_b Posted December 1, 2008 Share Posted December 1, 2008 Isn't this more of a physics question rather than chemistry? That's what I thought. Some of the possible endings alluded to by the RSC could be bordering on metallurgy, but still quite tenuous.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike Posted December 1, 2008 Share Posted December 1, 2008 I've never really understood the appeal with The Italian Job.... it's 'alright' I suppose... sixties and iconic.. but.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rob Posted December 1, 2008 Share Posted December 1, 2008 I was doing some research last night, as it occured to me that the coach would be RWD, front engined and therefore the fuel tank would be near the front so running it dry would have a worse effect as the front end would get lighter. Turns out the tank seems to be just slightly rear of midway, more or less on the fulcrum in this picture, so I doubt it would make any difference. Its a Harrington Legionaire body, on a Bedford VAL 14 twin steer chassis. You can see the tank and filler flap here, http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3208/2951981960_f494a15e77_b.jpg Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete Posted December 1, 2008 Share Posted December 1, 2008 My ending... The old tips the bus over the edge, booom....but only the doors blow off. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ewen Posted December 1, 2008 Share Posted December 1, 2008 Close up on Micheals face....Michael stares pensively at the gold and lights a cigarette. He draws on it, blowing a smoke ring while a wry smile of resignation curls his lips. Then, as the camera pans away, he has a Lemsip and a W*nk. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike Posted December 1, 2008 Share Posted December 1, 2008 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RiceRocket Posted January 24, 2009 Share Posted January 24, 2009 Solved Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrRalphMan Posted January 24, 2009 Share Posted January 24, 2009 Oh I love the comments on the Sun site.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ewen Posted January 29, 2009 Share Posted January 29, 2009 Oops http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/us_and_americas/article5610793.ece Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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