Save the Cat rankings

THE ITALIAN JOB script analysis

THE ITALIAN JOB script - Save the Cat beat sheet analysis

A skilled crew, led by Charlie, plans an ingenious gold heist in Italy that involves hijacking a Brink’s convoy using Mini Coopers and hacked traffic lights. Stella Bridger, daughter of the late planner John Bridger, joins to finish her father’s job and confront personal stakes. They execute meticulous preparations—key impressions, traffic center break-in, and decoy analysis—culminating in a daring rooftop chase and a clean escape by train. In the end, they honor Bridger’s legacy and assume new identities.

85 Save the Cat fit score 74% analysis confidence / 46 parsed scenes

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1

Opening Image

Scene 1 / Page 1 / 1% target

66%

Introduces the clandestine loading of a mysterious crate at the Port of Genoa, setting the heist tone.

2

Theme Stated

Scene 2 / Pages 1-2 / 5% target

60%

Crew discusses orbital data and precision, hinting at control versus chaos as the theme.

I've got the orbital data and SV clock corrections for each satellite that gets the signal.
3

Set-Up

Scenes 3-5 / Pages 2-5 / 10% target

70%

We meet the core team, learn personal quirks, and see Stella’s motivations when Charlie confronts her.

What are you doing here?
4

Catalyst

Scene 6 / Page 5 / 12% target

68%

Charlie interrupts Stella’s date, forcing her to commit to the heist and revealing personal stakes.

I think your date's going pretty well, what do you think?
5

Debate

Scenes 8-9 / Pages 6-9 / 20% target

72%

Stella voices her single-minded drive on the phone; crew debates finishing the Italy job versus risk.

I'm in this for one thing, Charlie, and one thing only. I want to see the look on...
6

Break into Two

Scenes 10-11 / Pages 9-11 / 25% target

75%

They move from planning to action by tailing Becky and stealing her key impression.

7

B Story

Scenes 4-8 / Pages 4-8 / 30% target

65%

Stella’s emotional arc with her father’s memory underscores the personal B-story amid the heist.

8

Fun and Games

Scenes 12-22 / Pages 11-18 / 40% target

78%

Montage of heist prep: cutting keys, stealing trucks, sabotaging lines, buying explosives, and hacking traffic.

Whoa. I've never heard the Muzak version of Purple Haze before.
9

Midpoint

Scene 23 / Page 19 / 50% target

80%

They infiltrate the traffic control center and gain real-time command of city lights—a major heist milestone.

I have no idea what you're doing. Just do it fast.
10

Bad Guys Close In

Scenes 27-33 / Pages 22-26 / 65% target

77%

Neighbor’s party, decoy truck shells, and time pressure mount as they identify the real Brink’s truck.

Shit. Decoys. It's like a shell game on wheels.
11

All Is Lost

Scene 37 / Page 28 / 75% target

70%

The motorcycle jump fails and crashes, threatening the plan and symbolizing a catastrophic setback.

12

Dark Night of the Soul

Scenes 38-41 / Pages 28-30 / 80% target

68%

Charlie narrowly escapes guards; Stella feels the weight of failure as pursuit closes in.

13

Break into Three

Scenes 42-43 / Pages 30-31 / 85% target

74%

Stella loads her Mini onto the train at Union Station, signaling the final pivot to getaway.

14

Finale

Scenes 44-45 / Pages 31-32 / 95% target

76%

Crew toasts Bridger’s memory in first class; Mashkov confronts Steve, tying up villain threads.

To John Bridger. The most brilliant master planner of them all. We wish he was with us.
15

Final Image

Scene 46 / Page 32 / 99% target

70%

The crew adopts new identities, closing the loop from opening with a fresh start.

Simon Quackenbush? Could I -- just once -- have a cool name?