Called The Britalian Job, the new film has been created to celebrate Mini's partnership with Team GB and ParalympicsGB.

It features a host of stars including Olympic champions Daley Thompson, James Cracknell (pictured above, centre), Jonathan Edwards (pictured above, right) and Matthew Pinsent (pictured above, left).

The sporting legends attempt to track down the perpetrator of a fictional night-time heist who turns out to be racing driver and model Jodie Kidd.

Directed by Phil Churchward, the lead director on BBC's Top Gear, the film includes stunts performed in the red, white and blue London 2012 special edition Mini against the backdrop of some of the capital's most iconic landmarks and areas 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.


Mini are owned by BMW, the Official Automotive Partner for the London 2012.

"It's been a great experience being involved in The Britalian Job," said double Olympic decathlon champion Thompson, who masterminds the chase in the short film.

"Everyone in the cast became completely immersed in their roles and with several Olympic gold medals between us we were obviously the right team for the job."

Cracknell, the double Olympic rowing gold medallist, also expressed his delight in being involved.

"It was great fun making this film and London makes such a brilliant setting for an action sequence like this," he said.

"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."


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 in Stratford, as their pursuit of the biker reaches a conclusion.

"The Italian Job is a classic and this was a great opportunity and the right time to have some fun with it in London," said the corporate communications director at BMW Group UK Graham Biggs.

"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."



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