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General Forums => The O' Club => Topic started by: Mathman on August 11, 2002, 11:22:58 AM

Title: Car chases in movies
Post by: 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...
Title: Car chases in movies
Post by: Sandman on August 11, 2002, 11:39:49 AM
You forgot one... "The Blues Brothers" :D
Title: Car chases in movies
Post by: Staga 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".
Title: Car chases in movies
Post by: Thrawn on August 11, 2002, 12:03:27 PM
Quote
Originally posted by Sandman_SBM
You forgot one... "The Blues Brothers" :D


It's got my vote.
Title: Car chases in movies
Post by: Staga 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.
Title: Car chases in movies
Post by: GRUNHERZ on August 11, 2002, 12:17:16 PM
Thats a cool video Staga. :D   IIRC one of the cameras got ripped off the Supra.
Title: Car chases in movies
Post by: capt. apathy 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'
Title: Car chases in movies
Post by: Braz 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.
Title: Car chases in movies
Post by: Kratzer on August 11, 2002, 02:19:46 PM
Ronin's car chase was terrific.
Title: Car chases in movies
Post by: snafu on August 11, 2002, 03:25:03 PM
Yup, Ronin wins it for me, But Bullit comes a close second.

TTFN
snafu
Title: Car chases in movies
Post by: Leslie 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.

Title: Car chases in movies
Post by: Dinger 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.
Title: Car chases in movies
Post by: crowMAW 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.:D

Oh...and then there is this!  :eek:

http://www.dtmpower.net/download.php?op=getit&lid=10
Title: Car chases in movies
Post by: gofaster 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.
Title: Car chases in movies
Post by: Sikboy 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
Title: Car chases in movies
Post by: midnight Target on August 12, 2002, 11:07:17 AM
Was looking to see if anyone mentioned "Vanishing Point". Leslie did.
Cool old flick and not only includes some great car chase scenes, but naked hippie chicks too!
Title: Car chases in movies
Post by: midnight Target on August 12, 2002, 11:09:22 AM
In 1971 Sikboy that chase was considered awesome!
Title: Car chases in movies
Post by: Masherbrum on August 12, 2002, 11:31:45 AM
Ronin was great because of accurate maneuvers that  "hollywood" USUALLY leaves out.   The front wheel Citroen that DeNiro is "fortunate" enough to be in.  He spun and they show the emergency brake being pulled, the easiest way for a front-wheel drive car to spin (I'm pretty sure that car was fwd anyway).  Hollywood had NEVER shown something like that before, ACCURACY.  Usually the speedo shot, pan out so you couldn't see the stunt driver.   Even though they must have had a stunt driver,  it still left you with the impression of DeNiro driving.  

I have yet to see Bullitt even though the 68 Fastback is my all-time favorite car.

Masher
Title: Car chases in movies
Post by: SKurj on August 12, 2002, 01:37:35 PM
One yas forgot

The Italian Job!!

Mini Coopers running anywhere and everywhere

Bullit was great.

I went to see Ronin for the chase scenes alone, I wasn't dissappointed.

Some of the movie errm 'jumps' take alot out of the chase scenes, though at least in Blues Brothers it wasn't meant to appear real +)

This reason makes Gone in 60 seconds rate looow...


SKurj
Title: Car chases in movies
Post by: Dune on August 12, 2002, 02:00:48 PM
IIRC, the Illinios State Police were buying all new cars and sold their old ones to the movie.  Or at least that's what I've heard.

Best chase scene is Ronin, followed by Bullit.
Title: Car chases in movies
Post by: Staga on August 12, 2002, 02:10:21 PM
Quote
Originally posted by midnight Target
Was looking to see if anyone mentioned "Vanishing Point".


Third post from top.
Title: Car chases in movies
Post by: Montezuma on August 12, 2002, 02:18:07 PM
Anyone who has seen the insane film "Rendezvous" will agree with this review from edmunds.com:

Giving Chase
Rendezvous

Searching back through my memory banks, one car-chase movie seems to stick in my head above all others. Rendezvous is a movie with such a bold and fresh concept, such a simple plot, that in 18 years I have not forgotten the impression of seeing it that first time.

Take one French Director, Claude Lelouch, strap a camera to the front of his V-12 Ferrari and let him run rampant through the streets of Paris. He uses sidewalks for streets, is color-blind to red lights and blurs by pedestrians. The sound of the exhaust booming off the buildings, the view as he eclipses 100 mph on city streets, this is a mix of sound and sight that should not be missed. It is an adrenaline rush of a ride that just plain blows you away. No Hollywood, no stunts, no one else, just you and the Ferrari. Trust me, you have never seen anything like this before, and you may never again. Rendezvous is available on VHS through Main Attractions: 818-709-9855. -- Neil G. Chirico

Running Time: Approximately 9 minutes
Title: Car chases in movies
Post by: -tronski- on August 12, 2002, 06:29:59 PM
Can't believe no-ones mentioned the Dukes of Hazzard!! .....We got ourselves a HOT pursuit


(http://www.ghg.net/rbigoness/images/hazzard/haz13.jpg)


 (Ok, Ok... I vote for The Italian Job)


 Tronsky
Title: Car chases in movies
Post by: Airscrew on August 12, 2002, 06:59:15 PM
Not only that but you'all left out all three Smokey and the Bandit movies,  Hopper, Stroker Ace,  and Days of Thunder

AirScrew