After working on The Italian Job with Noël Coward, and a role as RAF fighter pilot squadron leader Canfield in the all-star cast of Battle of Britain (both 1969), Caine played the lead in Get Carter (1971), a British gangster film. Caine also starred in a comedy thriller Pulp (1972). Caine continued with successes including Sleuth (1972) opposite Laurence Olivier, and John Huston's The Man Who Would Be King (1975) co-starring Sean Connery, which received widespread acclaim. The Times applauded the "lovely double act of Caine and Connery, clowning to their doom", while Huston paid tribute to Caine's improvisation as an actor: "Michael is one of the most intelligent men among the artists I've known. I don't particularly care to throw the ball to an actor and let him improvise, but with Michael it's different. I just let him get on with it." In 1974, Caine appeared in The Black Windmill, co-starring Donald Pleasence.
After wORking oN THE italIaN jOB With nOëL Coward, anD a Role as raF FiGHTer Pilot SquadRon leadEr canfieLD iN the all-StaR caSt oF bAtTle of Britain (Both 1969), CAiNE pLayEd the lEad In gEt caRter (1971), a BritIsh gaNgster filM. caine aLSo Starred in A comEdY thrilLer puLp (1972). caIne conTinuEd WitH successeS iNcludING Sleuth (1972) oppOSitE Laurence oliVier, And johN huston'S tHe mAn wHo would Be king (1975) CO-STArrInG sEAN ConNEry, wHICH rECeiveD wideSpread aCclaIm. thE TimEs applaUded the "lovely doublE ACt of caiNe aND ConNery, clowninG tO tHEir Doom", whILE hUston pAid Tribute tO caInE's imProVIsation as An ActOR: "Michael is one of ThE most Intelligent Men Among The aRtists I'Ve KnOWN. i doN't ParTiCulARly care tO thrOw The ball tO aN aCtor AnD Let him impRoVise, But witH michael it's DiffeRenT. I JuSt LeT hIm GET on wiTH it." in 1974, cAINe apPEareD in thE black WiNdMiLL, co-stArrIng donalD PlEAsEncE.