Author Topic: Car chases in movies (Read 414 times)

Mathman · « **on:** August 11, 2002, 11:22:58 AM »

While sitting here in my apartment trying to stay cool, I was channel surfing. I came across AMC. They are running sort of a mini-Steve McQueen marathon, showing "The Getaway" and "Bullit." A thought/question kind of popped into my mind: What is the best car chase in a movie ever?

I decided to see what all of your opinions are concerning various chases by comparing them to the 12 minute, trend setting chase in "Bullit."

The car chase in "Bullit" almost has to be considered the prototypical car chase. It was filmed at real speed (yes, the cars topped 100mph), used muscle cars (68 Fastback Mustang GT I believe and a 68 Charger), and was driven by the actors (Steve McQueen did his own driving). It made the streets of San Francisco famous. All subsequent car chases seem to be based on it in some way or another.

Other good car chases:
Ronin
The Rock
The French Connection
various Bond Films
... and I am brain farting here...

Sandman · « **Reply #1 on:** August 11, 2002, 11:39:49 AM »

You forgot one... "The Blues Brothers"

Staga · « **Reply #2 on:** August 11, 2002, 12:02:48 PM »

Add "Gone in 60secs" to the list of yours thought "Bullit" is the real thing.
AFAIR in some scenes the cameraman refused to take the backseat of McQueens Mustang and director had to take his place.

btw another nice movie, if you like car chases, is "Vanishing Point".

Thrawn · « **Reply #3 on:** August 11, 2002, 12:03:27 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by Sandman_SBM
You forgot one... "The Blues Brothers"

It's got my vote.

Staga · « **Reply #4 on:** August 11, 2002, 12:08:40 PM »

btw I have couple streetrace vids filmed in Stockholm... Ford Escort Cosworth vs. Toyota Supra, +400hp in each passing cops in the middle of city waste-gates whistling.

GRUNHERZ · « **Reply #5 on:** August 11, 2002, 12:17:16 PM »

Thats a cool video Staga.

IIRC one of the cameras got ripped off the Supra.

capt. apathy · « **Reply #6 on:** August 11, 2002, 12:17:18 PM »

"They're not gonna catch us. We're on a mission from God."

it's gotta be the 'Blues Brothers'- the mall scene is my favorite.
But the number of patrol cars destroyed alone makes it worth watching. I''ve never been able to count the total( I usually lose it around 75-80).

I've watched this movie more times than any other by far. I wore out 3 vhs tapes before I bought the dvd. It doesn't matter what kind of day you've had you'll be in a good mood after sitting down to watch the 'Blues Brothers'

Braz · « **Reply #7 on:** August 11, 2002, 01:41:43 PM »

Ronin,

So so movie, but it changed how we look at car chases. Gone are the scenic helicopter pans, hyperzoomed slow-mo shots, etc. In are tight shots of shifting, gauges and Camron style, low angle action. Ronin's characters are hard nosed killers, but react with fear and surprise as they charge headlong through those tiny streets. It gives a real feeling of speed.

The French Connection's car chase of the train was realistic for it's time, imo. But Ronin's my fav.

Kratzer · « **Reply #8 on:** August 11, 2002, 02:19:46 PM »

Ronin's car chase was terrific.

snafu · « **Reply #9 on:** August 11, 2002, 03:25:03 PM »

Yup, Ronin wins it for me, But Bullit comes a close second.

TTFN
snafu

Leslie · « **Reply #10 on:** August 11, 2002, 07:47:48 PM »

Do 18-wheelers chasing Dodges count? "Duel", starring Dennis Weaver, was a scary movie. That truck could really move.

Les

"Bullit" was the end all/be all of car chase movies. "Vanishing Point" and "Blues Brothers" were great also. "Diamonds are Forever" has a nice chase through downtown Las Vegas - especially liked the parking lot scene. "Mad Max" and "Road Warrior" are also satisfying. Another good one was "Dirty Mary, Crazy Larry" with Susan George and Peter Fonda.

Dinger · « **Reply #11 on:** August 11, 2002, 09:48:26 PM »

trivia for you:
as far as I know, "Blues Brothers" still holds the record for the most expensive car chase in movie history.

crowMAW · « **Reply #12 on:** August 11, 2002, 10:32:36 PM »

Almost any of the BMW Films commercials. Although not a "chase" scene, my favorite is the one with the M5 and Madonna getting tossed around in the back seat.

Oh...and then there is this!

http://www.dtmpower.net/download.php?op=getit&lid=10

gofaster · « **Reply #13 on:** August 12, 2002, 10:54:14 AM »

I'm surprised nobody has mentioned the OJ Simpson pursuit in California. Though not technically a film, it was pretty good tv!

The Blues Brothers chase scenes were very good, probably the best. I haven't seen Vanishing Point or Bullitt yet.

Sikboy · « **Reply #14 on:** August 12, 2002, 11:04:25 AM »

Just reading the title to this thread, the first thing that popped into my head was "Ronin" That movie might as well have just been the car chase.

I'm probably going to catch some hell here but... what was the big deal with "The French Connection" car chase? It seemed long, drawn out, and unimaginative to me. Granted I didn't see it until 1999, so perhaps the bar has simply been raised, but really, it didn't catch my interest at all. Mostly I just wanted it to end.

As far as this summer goes, I think the only car chase of note that I've seen was in "The Bourne Identity"

-Sikboy