Michael Satterfield
MINI takes to London streets ahead of the Games in homage to 1969 classic film.
MINI has today released a short London 2012-themed film, paying homage
to the 1969 classic, the Italian Job. The film, created to celebrate
MINI’s partnership with Team GB and ParalympicsGB, features a host of
stars, including sporting legends Daley Thompson, James Cracknell,
Jonathan Edwards and Matthew Pinsent, as they attempt to track down the
perpetrator of a fictional night-time heist – racing-driver, model and
car fan, Jodie Kidd.
Directed by Phil Churchward, the lead director on BBC’s Top Gear and
using key members of the show’s production team, the action-packed film
includes stunts performed in red, white and blue London 2012 special
edition MINIs, against the backdrop of some of the capital’s most iconic
landmarks including the Houses of Parliament and Knightsbridge.
The film features several references to the original movie, including
MINIs emerging from the same Park Lane basement as used in the 1969
classic, traversing down the Duke of York Steps off the Mall, and a
chase through London’s stunning Leadenhall market.
Double Olympic gold medallist, Daley Thompson, who masterminds the
chase comments; “It’s been a great experience being involved in The
Britalian Job – everyone in the cast became completely immersed in their
roles and with seven Olympic Gold medals between us, we were obviously
the right team for the job!”
The film climaxes in one final dramatic stunt in which the three MINIs
perform a ten metre jump in close formation in front of the Olympic
Stadium, as their pursuit of the biker reaches its peak.
Graham Biggs, Corporate Communications Director at BMW Group UK, adds;
“The Italian Job is a classic and this was a great opportunity and the
right time to have some fun with it in London. We wanted to make an
exciting short film featuring British sporting heroes and three MINIs as
the stars, in and around some of London’s greatest landmarks, as the
city prepares for The Games. We hope everybody enjoys it.”
James Cracknell, British rowing champion and double Olympic gold
medallist, said; “It was great fun making this film and London makes
such a brilliant setting for an action sequence like this. Seeing London
begin its transformation for the summer Games and feeling the
excitement building is tremendous. Everybody involved with this film
wishes Team GB and ParalympicsGB the best of luck as the Games
approach.”
To see the film in full, go to http://bit.ly/britalianjob.
ENDS
Athletes
The film also features a cameo from Britain’s most successful Javelin thrower Steve Backley.
Biker
Motorcyclist Dougie Lampkin, who stars in many of the stunts in the
film is an internationally renowned English motorcycle trials rider.
During his career he has set a series of records including seven
consecutive outdoor titles, an unbeaten 99 GP wins, an unequalled 170
rostrum finishes and amassed an unmatched 3,944 World points in total.
On 19th May 2012 Dougie Lampkin officially announced his retirement from
the FIM Trial World Championship, after an incredible nineteen years of
competing at the top level of the sport.
Stunt Driving
Stunt coordinator Paul Swift is a British driver best known for
precision driving, auto testing and taking part in live motor events. He
is a multiple Guinness World Record holder and seven-time British
Motorsport Champion. Paul secured both the MSA Auto test Championship
three times and the BTRDA four times, winning over one hundred events
along the way. With over twenty-five years’ experience, Paul Swift
Precision Driving is now the global leader in precision driving,
providing professional stunt drivers and experienced stunt co-ordinators
for TV & Commercial productions worldwide; delivering car action,
high speed tracking and highly skilled stunt doubles. Some of their TV
and film work includes: BBC’s Top Gear, Captain American and a number of
car commercials including the MINI Countryman advert.
Direction & Production
In addition to being directed by Rogue Film’s Phil Churchward, the lead
director on BBC’s Top Gear, the film was made using key members of the
show’s production team. One of the world’s top young car directors, Phil
honed his skills as the series director on BBC’s Top Gear for the past
five years. Many of the same crew who have worked with Phil on the show
have been drafted in for the Mini shoot. The bar for high-octane car
footage has been set very high by Top Gear and on this one Phil is
raising it once again. For interview/ comment requests please contact
[email protected].
The BMW Group
The BMW Group is one of the most successful manufacturers of
automobiles and motorcycles in the world with its BMW, MINI, Husqvarna
Motorcycles and Rolls-Royce brands. As a global company, the BMW Group
operates 25 production and assembly facilities in 14 countries and has a
global sales network in more than 140 countries.
In 2011, the BMW Group sold about1.67 million cars and more than
113,000 motorcycles worldwide. The profit before tax for the financial
year 2011 was euro 7.38 billion on revenues amounting to euro 68.82
billion. At 31 December 2011, the BMW Group had a workforce of
approximately 100,000 employees.
The success of the BMW Group has always been built on long-term
thinking and responsible action. The company has therefore established
ecological and social sustainability throughout the value chain,
comprehensive product responsibility and a clear commitment to
conserving resources as an integral part of its strategy. As a result of
its efforts, the BMW Group has been ranked industry leader in the Dow
Jones Sustainability Indexes for the last seven years.
