Now get into that car and get your foot into it! We got the shot on the next take., One particular scene that impressed Max Balchowsky was the gunman in the Dodge firing a shotgun blast at the pursuing Mustang that shatters the right front of the windshield. The next morning SFPD detective Lieutenant Frank Bullitt and his team, Delgetti and Stanton, are tasked by US Senator Walter Chalmers with guarding Ross over the weekend, until he can be presented as a witness to a Senate subcommittee hearing on organized crime on Monday morning. On Oct. 17, 1968, Steve McQueen roared into theaters with Bullitt, a car-chase-filled actioner that nabbed two Oscar nominations at the 41st Academy Awards. I thought wed mix up the cars. The two 1968, four-speed Mustang GT fastbacks were purchased primarily because, promotionally, they were the best deal at the time. Here we collect the 33 best car chases ever put in movies, and rank them all. Writers Trustman and Kleiner won a 1969 Edgar Award from the Mystery Writers of America for Best Motion Picture Screenplay. The operator of the first camera said, Steves not getting his foot into it, hes a better driver than that. I went to Steve and said, you know Pat Houstis is a terrific driver. Steve said yeah, yeah he is. I said, he knows responsibility too. Im a sucker for espionage flicks set in Europe. The tracks on the soundtrack album are alternate versions of those heard in the film, re-recorded by Schifrin with leading jazz musicians, including Bud Shank (flute), Carol Kaye (electric bass), Ray Brown (bass), Howard Roberts (guitar), and Larry Bunker (drums).[40]. Bullitt garnered both critical acclaim and box-office success. Im a fan of winter car chase from The Living Daylights. It starts around 47:00. The plane is ordered to return to the terminal. In a magazine article many years later, one of the drivers involved in the chase sequence remarked that the Charger - with a larger engine (big-block 440 cu. [54] Keller won the American Cinema Editors Eddie Award for Best Edited Feature Film. But the director of BULLITT wanted a brand new car instead of an ex-police car, so I got the springs from a friend at Chrysler. The jarring landings after the cars were airborne are the result of the cameras being tightly secured and not cushion mounted. For the rear end, Balchowsky told us, I got some special rear springs, what you call a high spring rate, a flat without any arch in it, and using that spring the car would stay low. Pat Houstis, a terrific driver, had just built the camera car, and he showed it to me. After the filming was complete, '559 was sold to Robert Ross,[70] who in turn sold the car in 1970 to Frank Marranca. Sanchez and Garcia are now in the process of giving the car a full restoration. One of the best wrenchmen in the movie business, Max Balchowsky, recalls the Mustang in particular needed considerable modifications so it could hold up during the relentless beatings it would take during the filming. They drive downhill or north, towards the Bay, and turn west in front of the same Caddy, several blocks north of Van Ness. Bullitt is a 1968 American neo-noir action thriller film[4] directed by Peter Yates and produced by Philip D'Antoni. [39], The original score was composed by Lalo Schifrin to track the various moods and the action of the film, with Schifrin's signature contemporary American jazz style. A production manager would have cut your throat if you wanted to do something like that. The third vehicle, a camera car, was driven by Pat Houstis, while cinematographer Bill Fraker manned the camera. Bill came in with the Charger, Riner said. Car '558 was used for the harsher driving (including the skid at the end of the chase), while '559 was used for lighter driving. It then explodes into an all-out high speed frenzy, accompanied only by the snarl . [43] It grossed $210,000 in its first week, including a hall-record Saturday of $49,073. They turn north, then west, then south uphill. Mapping the movie route shows that it is not continuous and is impossible to follow in real time. Motorcycle Classics magazine reported the sale, observing the McQueen effect still obtains, meaning it went for 2 or 3 times the money it would have if he had not owned it once. "[25], At the time of the film's release, the exciting car chase scenes, featuring McQueen at the wheel in all driver-visual scenes, generated prodigious excitement. My favorite is the chase through Paris being led by a BMW 5 series. An accident would have ruined the cars, and we were slated for Monday morning, 6:00 a.m. to start shooting. Yates reputation probably rests most securely on Bullitt (1968), his first American film and indeed, on one particular scene, an extended car chase that instantly became a classic. The editing of this scene likely won editor Frank P. Keller the Academy Award for Best Editing. Due to the length of this part of the movie and the endless action in it, these . At San Francisco International Airport, Delgetti and Bullitt watch the Rome gate. When Ekins is driving it is up, so his face is hidden. As director Peter Yates prepared to begin filming the chase scenes, there were four drivers, McQueen, Bud Ekins, Bill Hickman, and in a few scenes, Carey Loftin. If making the movie today, they could use a stock GT350 with the Voodoo engine not need dubbed in sound. It's the longest car chase scene in film history, surpassing the other famous and exciting car chase, in William Friedkin's 1971 Oscar winning, The French Connection. In reality they only filmed on sections of the route but thats movie business for ya! He goofed up, and they said, thats it, get him out of the car. Over the years, fans have asked questions about the two cars used in the movie, a 1968 Dodge Charger and a 1968 Mustang GT. They were replaced with two 1968 375-hp 440 Magnum V8-powered Dodge Chargers. Unfortunately one now must suspend disbelief on DeNiro and pretend one isnt watching an [expletive]. McQueen and Hickman were both tickled with the cars. My vote goes to William Friedkins attempt to top himself and the French Connection chase in the almost-forgotten To Live and Die in L.A. Wang Chung soundtrack notwithstanding. Throughout the chase sequences, some of them were accidents but, they looked fantastic- Hickman was terrific.. versus the 390 cu. Graysmith, Robert. He then sent the cars to Ralph Garcia to start work on turning one into a clone of the Eleanor Mustang from the movie, Gone in 60 Seconds. The best teeny things came up in it, the best stuff was Steves ideas. The chase sequence takes place over a number of non-contiguous streets in and south of San Francisco. According to Ron Riner, Mr. Genge, who played a very realistic tough guy, seemed like he had hardly ever seen a gun before. Bullitt gets a ride from his girlfriend, Cathy. You would rehearse it once- its got to be choreographed- then you would rehearse it again, and if it looked good, they shot it. The first was for the Europe-only 1997 Ford Puma, which featured a special-effects montage of McQueen (who died in 1980) driving a new Puma around San Francisco before parking it in a studio apartment garage beside the film Mustang and the motorcycle from The Great Escape. This post was promoted to the Main Feed by a Ricochet Editor at the. Steve liked the sound of the car and he wanted mags. At the exit, Ross kills a deputy sheriff and is shot dead by Bullitt. Steve wanted to test the car. Its a funny thing, he told Motor Trend. [5] The screenplay by Alan R. Trustman and Harry Kleiner was based on the 1963 novel Mute Witness,[6][7][8][9] by Robert L. Fish, writing under the pseudonym Robert L. Do you know the definition of an alcoholic? [citation needed] Prior to filming, the cars were modified by Max Balchowsky. The chase sequence combined several locations, located miles apart and edited together. On the Mustang, Mr. Balchowsky recalls, everybody suggested I put a Holley on the Mustang, it was better than the Ford carburetor. But when a pair of hitmen ambush their secret location, fatally wounding Ross, things don't add up for Bullitt, so he decides to investigate the case on his own. In the next cut, they are coming downhill, north towards the Bay. He had a motorcycle collection. The enduring scenes of the forboding Charger and the powerful Mustang have etched themselves in film making history. The film was nominated for and won several critical awards. For Both of you, the famous Baby Carriage scene from Battleship Potemkin 1925 (Eisenstein): And all these are sort of like the Wilhelm scream an in joke for movie buffs, I think. [55] Bullitt producer Philip D'Antoni went on to film two more car chases, for The French Connection and The Seven-Ups, both set and shot in New York City. Bullitt requests their passport applications from Chicago. We use cookies to optimize our website and service. Bullitt movie clips: http://j.mp/2jsMrf9BUY THE MOVIE: http://bit.ly/2jxFNUNDon't miss the HOTTEST NEW TRAILERS: http://bit.ly/1u2y6prCLIP DESCRIPTION:Bullitt (Steve McQueen) refuses to back down when the Charger trying to follow him takes it up a notch, leading to a chase through the streets of San Francisco.FILM DESCRIPTION:In one of his most famous roles, Steve McQueen stars as tough-guy police detective Frank Bullitt. Chalmers suggests to Bullitt that the situation can be exploited to benefit both of them. If we are going for purity, this one stunt at the end of the chase scene from the James Bond movie,The Man with the Golden Gun has my vote. Published Dec 25, 2021. Popular with locals and tourists alike for many years, the citys steep streets gained international fame thanks to Bullitt. And all these are sort of like the Wilhelm scream an in joke for movie buffs, I think. Billy Fraker, the cinematographer for the film, attributed the success of the chase sequence primarily to the work of the editor, Frank P. Keller. Ive always had good luck with Fords, and didnt want to spend money if i didnt have to putting a Holley on. Sure, Bullitt wins for a straight car chase but for a comic car chase,Blues Brothersrules: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bz81ZO0qfvI. The car ended up in New Jersey a few years later, where Steve McQueen attempted to buy it. Those cold blue eyes! In addition, the Ricochet Audio Network offers over 50 original podcasts with new episodes released every day. St. Martin's Press. It starts off in slow cat-and-mouse style, accompanied by a nerve-tingling Lalo Schifrin score, as Bullitt is tailed by two hit men. So I was a little hesitant. The brief prologue is set in Chicago with the briefest establishing shot of the Chicago Sun Times Building and the Marina City Towers - though the action itself was, like the rest of the movie, filmed in San Francisco.. Detective Frank Bullitt (Steve McQueen) has to track down a . One of the few modern car chases I like is from The Bourne Supremacy (2004). And all these are sort of like the Wilhelm scream an in joke for movie buffs, I think. Like when theyre (Hickman and Genge) going up the hill and theyre after Steve and all of a sudden he disappears and they cant see him and the guy (Hickman) looks up and Steve appears in his rear view mirror. Its been 19 years since BULLITT was filmed, however the magic of this special movie has not diminished. Also set in San Francisco: Whats up, Doc. At the time of the films release, the car chase scene generated a great amount of excitement. Bullitt was co-produced by McQueen's Solar Productions and Warner Bros.-Seven Arts, the film pitched to Jack L. Warner as "doing authority differently". Ronin (1998) has several good chases. It sure made Ford glass look good., The gentleman in the car, playing Bill Hickmans partner in crime, was actor Paul Genge. McQueen was the prime motivator behind the chase sequence, and then director Peter Yates and Carey Loftin worked out logistics behind the scenes. Yates and Steve were particular. You sent us to guard the wrong man, Bullitt tells Chalmers. We werent even using a big super Panavision or anything. And he flipped it around and he slid in backwards. But the story, according to Ron Riner was not the key element to the success of the movie. Visit the building of Blade Runner before stopping at Hogwarts and finally landing in Jurassic Parkin the middle of the Hawaiian archipelago. If you want to know more about where exactly the Mustang and Charger were racing in San Francisco this web page provides details and photos (from 1968 and more recently) of the physically impossible route traversed during the chase. The car chase scene in the 1968 American action-thriller film Bullitt is considered one of the best and most exciting in cinematic history. We did it several times. The other less banged-up Mustang was purchased by a WB employee after all production and post-production was completed. The film was made by McQueen's Solar Productions company, with his partner Robert Relyea as executive producer. The latter are sometimes as exciting as the feature films themselves. and if you can run a car real hard up and down that hill its working pretty good., The day before the chase scenes were to be filmed, we went up to Santa Rosa and rented the track,said Balchowsky. Bullitt movie clips: http://j.mp/2jsMrf9BUY THE MOVIE: http://bit.ly/2jxFNUNDon't miss the HOTTEST NEW TRAILERS: http://bit.ly/1u2y6prCLIP DESCRIPTION:Bullit. You will receive an email with a link to set a new password. From one shot to the next, the two cars jump from one corner of the city to a diametrically opposed location. Stunt coordinator Carey Loftin got Bud Ekins to drive the Mustang for the bulk of the stunts. I had suggested using a Mustang, and a Dodge Charger, or else there would be too may Fords in the picture. An iconic film of the 1960s that helped nurture the aura of star Steve McQueen, Bullitt really came into its own with its impressive car chase through the steep streets of San Francisco. He was hired after McQueen saw his 1967 UK feature Robbery, with its extended car chase. Percival(View Comment): One of his former machines just sold at auction. The Bullitt chase is archetypal, easily the best Ive ever seen. in. There were THREE cars racing wildly through the streets of San Francisco, making car chase history, although only two are seen in the movie. [62][63] In the 2011 video game, Driver: San Francisco, the "Bite the Bullet" mission is based on the famous chase scene, with licensed versions of the Mustang and Charger from the film. There seemed to be a general atmosphere of professionalism and mutual admiration on the set. Of course, this isnt a fair comparison the technology had vastly improved a quarter century later and audiences also expected more realism. Well that was a great turn of events. Bullitt learns that Ross made a long distance phone call to a hotel in San Mateo. Muleskinner, Weasel Wrangler(View Comment): No, nor do you have to count the number of times the cars pass the Green VW. Also set in San Francisco: Whats up, Doc. But thats in a train station. Passionn de cinma, de rock and roll, de sries TV et de littrature. The next cut puts them eight miles away, back in the Vistacion Valley district, turning right from University St. on to Mansell St. From there they cut to Western entrance to Guadelupe Canyon Parkway on San Bruno Mountain in Daly City three miles away, heading East. (1986). Over the years, fans have asked questions about the two cars used in the movie, a 1968 Dodge Charger and a 1968 Mustang 390 GT. Well, I wasnt going to argue, so I said, okay, fine. McQueens stint as a stunt driver didnt last long, however. The screenplay by Alan R. Trustman and Harry Kleiner was based on the 1963 novel Mute Witness, by Robert L. Fish, writing under the pseudonym Robert L. Pike. [31][59][71] The Kiernans used it as a family vehicle before placing it in storage in 1980. Car chase scene in Bullitt - Credit: Solar and Warner Bros. Pictures 893 Filbert St Address 893 Filbert St San Francisco, CA 94133, USA Popular with locals and tourists alike for many years, the city's steep streets gained international fame thanks to Bullitt. Director Yates' use of the new lightweight Arriflex cameras allowed for greater flexibility in location shooting. "[13] Emanuel Levy wrote in 2003 that "Bullitt contains one of the most exciting car chases in film history, a sequence that revolutionized Hollywood's standards. (Reuters) - The 1968 Ford Mustang GT that Steve McQueen drove in the classic car chase from the movie "Bullitt, one of the most famed cars from American cinema, sold for $3.4 million at. What we found out was that there is none; it was pretty much a hit and miss thing and, as Ron Riner put it, other people have tried to put the same combination together to get the same results and havent really done it. [52] Frank P. Keller won the 1969 Academy Award for Best Film Editing, and it was also nominated for Best Sound. Loren Janes tells up, Carey Loftin was easily the best car man in the business. He did a real good job on it. The thirteen minute car chase is the famous centerpiece of the movie. It never gets old watching that 1968 Ford Mustang GT 390 and 1968 Dodge Charger R/T 440 race pell-mell through the streets of San Francisco. He brought in Bill Hickman to play a part and drive the other car. Loftin recalls: I asked (the studio) what kind of guy were they looking for? When you cant afford to hire Robert Redford, theres always Ryan ONeal. It was rebuilt after the great earthquake of 1906. [41] This release also includes re-recordings of the 1968 soundtrack album arrangements for some tracks. The Charger ran rings around the Mustang. Leonard Maltin has called it a now-classic car chase, one of the screens all-time best. Emanuel Levy wrote in 2003 that, Bullitt contains one of the most exciting car chases in film history, a sequence that revolutionized Hollywoods standards. In his obituary for Peter Yates, Bruce Weber wrote, Mr. With reviews like that, and sharing double billing with the hit BONNIE AND CLYDE, BULLITT devastated audiences with incredible scenes of leaping, screaming automobiles that seemed to fly off the screen. The Untouchables does. Bullitt is a 1968 American dramatic thriller film directed by Peter Yates and produced by Philip DAntoni. Ross used Renick, a used car salesman from Chicago, to elude both the mob and Chalmers. Initially the car chase was supposed to be scored, but Lalo Schifrin suggested that no music be added to that sequence, pointing out that the soundtrack was powerful enough as it was. We wanted some shots of the Mustang really burning the corners. -, "Complete National Film Registry Listing", "Katharine Jacqueline Stars on No. On a Friday night in Chicago mobster Johnny Ross flees the Outfit. So, fortunately everything worked out., Generally everyone seemed to agree that the chase went smoothly, although filming went a little bit slow, Bud Ekins recalls. Missing in action for nearly 40 years, the lost stunt car narrowly escaped the crusher. Before the filming could be done, the Charger and the Mustang required preparation. Robert Duvall has a small part as a cab driver who provides information to McQueen. I think it really saved the film, because most people dont remember the story, they remember the chase. She has chosen to stay. Because Dodge had also brought back the Charger, the article featured a promotional gimmick of photographing the 2008 Mustang and 2008 Charger simulating the famous chase scene with the writers breaking down the Chase, moment by moment, to explain each cars strengths and weaknesses. The authentication revealed this to be the lost Bullitt car. [18], Bullitt was director Yates's first American film. Bullitt's chase was neitherit was shot in real time on city streets. Bennett decides to wait until Monday and lets Bullitt investigate the long distance phone call to San Mateo. And it was Steves idea to put the big dent in the fender, to show that it got banged up and he didnt have enough money or the time to fix it., Warner Brothers purchased two four-speed Dodge Chargers at a Chrysler dealership in Glendale California, recalls Ron Riner. The twin towers of Sts. To prepare himself, his crew and the cars for the movie sequence, McQueen and company went to the Cotati race course near San Francisco. The bad guys drive a 1968 Dodge Charger 440 Magnum. The chase in Bullit doesnt have a baby carriage in it, now does it? Chalmers holds Bullitt responsible for the injuries to Ross. Bullitt - Car Chase - Complete. He said the cops were watching the action and werent watching the traffic and this motorcycle guy slipped through, and got into the scene and ended up in the picture. I said, you really think thats what happened? The extra said, I know, I saw it, I was there. And I said thats the way its supposed to look, because it wasnt supposed to look like a stunt. Ron Riner comments on the scene, I didnt know about the stunt and I was supposed to get the information!, There were THREE cars racing wildly through the streets of San Francisco, making car chase history, although only two are seen in the movie. Equally deserving of attention is the Dodge Charger R/T that was chasing the Mustang. While examining the victim's luggage, Bullitt and Delgetti discover a travel brochure for Rome and traveler's checks made out to an Albert and Dorothy Renick. Want to know more about this location and its connection to Bullitt?