Minis score at Aston Villa, Italian style

Mar 7 2008 By Edward Stephens, Motoring Editor

ICONIC film The Italian Job came to life when the world's only complete set of original replica Minis from the 1969 movie hit the streets of Birmingham.

The Minis have been doing a tour of major British cities to celebrate Sir Michael Caine's 75th birthday, the world premiere in High Definition of The Italian Job, and a Caine season on Sky Movies.

Lovingly restored, the old English white, island blue and tartan red Mini Cooper S models are identical down to the last nut and bolt to the vehicles used in the film, none of which remain.

Matthew Field, author of The Making of The Italian Job and director of Paramount's Home Entertainment three-part documentary said: "These lovingly restored Italian Job replica Minis are the only ones known to exist in the world. The attention to detail is exceptional - right down to the correct licence plate numbers."

The cars belong to The Italian Job film fanatics David, Anthony, Daryl and Gareth Davies, four brothers from Coventry who originally created the look-a-like vehicles for the 30th anniversary of the Mini in 1989. Today they use them for various events, including weddings.

From Sunday for a week on Sky Movies, The Caine Season - from Alfie to Zulu, will showcase 10 of the British legend's finest films.

Sir Michael Caine said: "It's fantastic that The Italian Job and Zulu are being remastered. I love HD, it's so difficult to watch anything else once you've watched it in HD.

"Of course it's very unforgiving, especially on young beautiful ladies, but thank God I'm old, I don't care."