1. "You were only supposed to blow the bloody doors off!" (The Italian Job)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8g_GeQR8fJo Every Michael Caine impersonator used to fall back on the old classic "Not many people know that." But after the 2010 TV series The Trip starring Steve Coogan and Rob Brydon, this became the line of choice. On the series Coogan and Brydon (playing fictionalized versions of themselves) tried to one-up each other with Michael Caine impressions and this line from The Italian Job (along with the misquote "She was only fifteen/sixteen years old") became the line the two jousted with the most. It's easy to understand why. In The Italian Job, Caine's character (Charlie Croker) is angered by a too-powerful explosion and angrily shouts at the buffoon who triggered it. The line epitomizes the anger and frustration that Croker feels whether something in his grand robbery scheme doesn't go along with the plan -- which is often. Caine's accent combined with his outraged delivery are impossible to forget. Though there are many other great lines in the movie (including the final line, "Hang on, lads; I've got a great idea"), this one remains the most memorable of Caine's entire career. In fact, the line was voted as the greatest one-liner in film history by British movie fans in 2003. It was also used as a joke during the closing ceremony of the 2012 Summer Olympics. Now that's something many people know! What Michael Caine quotes do you think deserve to have made it on this list? Share your own picks below.
Chris McKittrick is a published author of fiction and non-fiction and has spoken about film and comic books at conferences across the United States. In addition to his work at WhatCulture!, he is a regular contributor to CreativeScreenwriting.com, MovieBuzzers.com, and DailyActor.com, a website focused on acting in all media. For more information, visit his website at http://www.chrismckit.com.