I came across this article about the famous Bullitt chase scene, and since it's STILL the # 1 car chase ever filmed IMHO, I thought I'd post it for you old movie buffs.

REQUIRED VIEWING “BULLITT” | THE GRANDDADDY OF CAR CHASE SCENES The Selvedge Yard

I know there have been other car chase movies, Cannon Ball, Gum Ball Rally, Vanishing Point, Ronin, Brewster McCloud, (just to name a few) but as good as they were, nothing ever seems to top the original Charger vs Mustang, Good guy vs bad guy, storyline.
I've posted this before, but I'd love to see a remake of Bullitt. This time substitute the Charger with a Challenger. (No offence to any Charger owners out there, but the bad guys don't need 4 drs.).

 

I think some of the things that really make this different from other chase scenes are;
No dialogue, but you get a lot from their facial expressions, No music - The sounds of the motors, tires, and the cars slamming into the road on the hills was music enough.

Reading through the article, I was rather surprised about the Charger running circles around the Mustang. I'm a longtime Mopar fan, even owned a 69 Charger for quite some time, but I would think the Mustang, being so much smaller, would be lighter and do better. That they actually had to do some serious mods to even get it close to the Charger is interesting.

 

Bullitt was the BEST chase scene ever!!! I don't think that movie could be recEated - modern directors would fall into the trap of "making it better" with computers & other crap instead of letting the cars do the talking.

Plus you couldn't do that movie again without the greatest movie star of all time - Steve McQueen!!!! I'm not trying to say that he was the greatest actor of all time, but he was the greatest movie star. Who else could rock that amount of cool??? Men wanted to be him & women wanted to be with him. I'm not afraid to say I have a crush on a dead guy .... lol!!!

 

I think the movie was great, and definitely one of the best car scenes of all time, but I have to say, the ORIGINAL gone in 60 seconds (circa 1974) has got to on the list as well, and usually does not get the recognition it deserves....

I highly recommend it to anyone....

 

The original Gone in 60 Seconds is unreal. A must see!

 

Maybe they don't need four doors but the Charger needed at least six hubcaps that came off during the chase.
This is a movie trivia item that often comes up.

 

It is unreal. A must see yes but the original Bullit is real, it is possile it s believable.
Not only would most of us want to do it, it is within the realm of believability, if not possibility, that some of us likely can.

The leap on the bridge of Gone in 60 seconds, no how no way.

And Kim nailed it on Steve McQueen. The coolest movie star of our time.

 

Your right, some parts are pretty silly.

 

Franc, I think you are a little off base here, the original gone in 60 seconds WAS ALL REAL footage, they crashed over 100 cars and did all the stunts themselves. If I remember correctly, the director/producer/actor/financier put over 1M of his own money into making the film. It is very often overlooked because of the cina-turd with Nick Cage, but the original was a masterpiece....

 

I didn't say it wasn't real, I said it wasn't something the average guy thought he could do.
In Bullet, one could feel the edge, the "G" forces, the kick in the pants when the Ford wheels spun.

Taking the Mustang,Eleanor ( "Louise") to the air in that long leap, Come on. Not a seat of the pants stunt but a careully engineered one.

No different than a Dukes of hazard river jump on one of their "shortcuts"

Awesome footage, yes. real footoage, yes. Would I ever try the leap, hell no.

But give me a fastback '67-'69 Mustang and I'll be happy to try and blow the 6 hubcaps off any Charger.

That said, you are correct, I am a little off.

 

Not to nit pick, but you know how us crossfire guys are sticklers, the car was named, "Eleanor"

 

http://www.videovista.net/articles/bullitt2.jpg

That pic says it all!!!

 

You are right, where did I get Louise?

Don't be mean, someday you too will be olt.

 

And a little more Steve McQueen awesomeness!!!

Top 10: Things Steve McQueen Wouldn’t Do - AskMen.com UK

None of his movies would have been the same with another actor. A great fan of cars driving in one of the greatest car scenes ever. He was the King of Cool!!!

 

Two things i noticed in the film clip, to which i had paid little attention before.

One) the number of cool old cars from the fifties on the streets of 'Frisco.

And
Two) the ability of a single green Volkwagon Beetle that , despite being underpowered and softly suspended, to get in front of the chase at least four times.

I had no idea they were that nimble and fast.
FP has a Blue one and we all thought it was just "cute"

 

I loved that movie. Mainly because my pre July 1968 Mustang GT fastback 2+2 was also the same color as his July 1968 Mustang GT fastback 2+2. January to June> had a non lit rear fender side reflector and the July to December had the lighted rear side reflector. It was a 2 seater or you could fold down the hidden rear seats for 2 more passengers. I had the modified Windsor 302 that stretched a rod and went KA-BOOOOM. They just didn't hold together well at hight RPM's. Then came the Cleveland 302 that was a monster. My 1965 Mustang GT 2+2 had a 289 HP and never blowed. Squirrel Crusher

 

the amx3 in that article almost made me cry,,, you know i had one in my hands and the next day it was gone. long story but those that know LM you know the real LM the theif and *** hole. jim

 

Jim, only you and I (and maybe one other Forum member from PA) probably knows what you're statement about LM is in reference to. That pompous A$$, turned me off the whole AMC hobby for over 18 years.

But that AMX3 article was pretty good, and I never saw it before yesterday. That car is the reason I ordered my AMX-3 license plate in the Fall of 69. I was all set to order one until I found out how much they were going to cost. Never got the car, but I've had that same licence # for the last 40 years