Small-time crook Charlie Croker (Michael Caine) organizes a motley group of thieves to steal $4 million worth of gold bullion from an armored car in Turin, Italy. The mastermind of the heist is Mr. Bridger (Noel Coward), an experienced criminal who has come up with the idea, but can't take part in its execution because he's in jail. To pull off the plan, the gang must tie up traffic in the centre of the city to divert attention from the robbery, and ultimately make off with their booty undetected. The caper leads to one of the most exciting automobile chases ever filmed.