Charlie Croker, a stylish robber and skirt-chaser, is just released from prison, and instead of attending rehabilitation for recidivism, he participates in "The Italian job", a complicated plan to hijack gold bullion from Italy which is sponsored by Mr. Bridger, a suave, regal, incarcerated English crime boss. Having good fellows including the most infamous computer hackers, bank robbers, hijackers, and getaway drivers, Croker is soon well on his way to relieving Italy of the gold.