Blowing the Bloody Doors Off: And Other Lessons in Life

Product Information

Field, Matthew (2019). The Self Preservation Society: 50 Years of The Italian Job. Porter Press International. ISBN 978-1907085864. OCLC 1099316716. Hollywood legend and British national treasure Sir Michael Caine, now 85, shares stories from screen and stage alongside some of the lessons and skills that life has taught him. Caine reflects on an exceptional life on and off stage and shares pertinent advice and poignant observations in a dishy and anecdotal rumination. Caine's pithy but passionate counsel can be applied to nearly any situation. Gracious, generous, and humble, this consummate professional is a generous advocate for creating a fulfilling and contented life."— Booklist

The movie was the 14th most popular at the UK box office in 1969. [34] Although it received a Golden Globe nomination for "Best English-Language Foreign Film", the film was not a success in the US. The film remains popular, however. James Travers of Films de France believes that the film's enduring appeal rests in the "improbable union" of Michael Caine, Noël Coward and Benny Hill, whom he considers "three of the best known [British] performers [...] in the late 1960s". He states that the film has a cult status and stands as a "classic of its genre". [26] Legacy [ edit ] If the authors are serious, this is a silly, distasteful book. If they are not, it’s a brilliant satire.Adams, Stephen (23 January 2009). "Cliffhanger climax to The Italian Job solved after 40-year wait". The Daily Telegraph. Archived from the original on 12 January 2022 . Retrieved 11 July 2018. In 1999, it was ranked No. 36 on the BFI Top 100 British films by the British Film Institute. In November 2004, Total Film named The Italian Job the 27th greatest British film of all time. [28] In 2011, it was voted the best British film in a poll of film fans conducted by Sky Movies HD. [29] The line "You're only supposed to blow the bloody doors off!" by Caine was voted favourite film one-liner in a 2003 poll of 1,000 film fans. [30] One of the most discussed end scenes in film, what happened to the coachload of gold teetering over the edge of a cliff, has been debated in the decades since the film was released. [31] [32] This book, like the author himself is charming and considered. It is essentially Michael Caine's advice or lessons in life, based on his own career as an actor. While this would align perfectly if the reader is an actor (or aspiring actor), it is not to say it is not comparable for life in general. By extension: To exceed some form of convention, norm, or expectation by a wide margin, to the point of obliterating those expectations and redefining the conceptual space.

Michael comes across as a hard-working, decent chap who feels grateful to have had such good fortune in his career and with his family. I was looking for something pleasant and this was a perfect audiobook for that. The authors have created a sort of anti-Book of Virtues in this encyclopedic compendium of the ways and means of power. It hasn't been easy, he's had life threatening situations. Yet he's so full of kindness and love--happiness and gratitude. Joy.

1. "You were only supposed to blow the bloody doors off!" (The Italian Job)

Hollywood legend, British national treasure and raconteur Michael Caine shares the wisdom, anecdotes, an insights that life has taught him. One of our best-loved actors Michael Caine comes across as a humble yet talented gentleman. He has starred in a huge range of films from the classic British movies Alfie, Zulu and The Italian Job. Plus modern classics such as the Dark Knight trilogy, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, Hannah and Her Sisters and Cider House Rules. Lots of insights into life (not just the movie industry) from someone who's lived a long, difficult life and always come out smiling. Honest and compelling (and infinitely quotable), an excellent read. Milloy, David (10 April 2019). "Tempus Fugit: the vehicles of The Italian Job 50 years on". influx. Archived from the original on 3 December 2020 . Retrieved 12 January 2021.