There is nothing quite as exhilarating as seeing an amazing car chase or crash on the big screen, when stunt car sequences are choreographed and executed perfectly the result is often one of the most spectacular sequences of the movie in which they occur.
Action entertainment is one of the cornerstones of Hollywood and that is not likely to change anytime soon. Utilizing fast cars in action movies is a staple of the industry; adding the combination of speed, thrills, the potential for danger and somehow being able to up the ante every time is what keeps audiences coming to action movies time and time again. While there are action sequences involving cars in many movies, some movies succeed in creating very memorable car stunt scenes that warrant repeat viewings and are talked about and examined endlessly by fans. The following examples are by no means meant to be deemed as definitive, rather they are some of the more memorable ones of recent memory and a few fall into the category of “classic”.
While it would be difficult to objectively choose a car stunt and label it as somehow definitive over all others, there are some car stunts that simply must be acknowledged as being in the upper echelon of cinematic stunt driving accomplishment. Perhaps one of the best known car stunts in a movie takes place in the James Bond movie “The Man with The Golden Gun” (1974). The sequence involves an AMC Hornet being driven off a short, broken bridge and executing a perfect 360 degree barrel roll through mid-air and over a river, landing perfectly on the other side. The actual sequence in the movie is actually shown slowed down from the speed at which it actually was filmed as the film makers deemed it too fast, they wanted the audience to get a good long look at this perfectly planned and executed car stunt. The entire sequence had been planned at Cornell Aeronautical Laboratory in New York as an experiment to test some vehicle simulation computer software. The stunt itself was actually held under copyright for many years after the film’s release and there was an attempt in 2008 to replicate the exact same stunt on a British car program. The attempt failed. When the sequence is viewed for the first time, it’s hard to believe it was done without any wires, editing, or multiple takes.
Another high stakes, visceral thrill ride takes place in the movie “The French Connection” (1971). The sequence in question takes place when a New York detective (played by Gene Hackman), in pursuit of some criminals, chases a hijacked subway train car in his car. Hackman narrowly avoids hitting a woman with her stroller, crashes into a steel fence, is clipped and sideswiped by various other vehicles and driving against traffic in order to maintain pursuit of the subway car, which is elevated above him. The chase scene is often regarded as the one of the best car chases in any movie ever filmed. The subway conductors were actual NYC Transit Authority employees and Hackman did much of the driving himself to add to the authenticity.
Another classic is the chase in the movie “Bullitt” (1968), which starred Steve McQueen. This sequence is immediately notable for two things – it takes place on the streets of San Francisco and the chase is nine minutes long. The car chase scene is widely regarded as one of the most influential in all of cinema. McQueen drives a 1968 Mustang GT and the hit men he’s chasing are in a 1968 Charger – for a car enthusiast, this nine minute sequence is absolutely mesmerizing! McQueen did all of the driving for the entire sequence and it took nearly two weeks to choreograph. According to virginmedia.com, McQueen, in an effort to ensure audiences would know it was in fact him and not a stunt driver, used to lean out the window a few inches to make sure the cameras would always get a clear shot of his face and ensure authenticity. It is a truly spectacular sequence and definitely merits re-watching the film a few times.
One of the most carnage laden car chases committed to celluloid would be the mall chase scene in the film “The Blues Brothers” (1980). Director John Landis certainly had an affinity for chaos, and he took it to its most extreme with the car chase in The Blues Brothers. The title characters, brothers portrayed by the late John Belushi and Dan Aykroyd, are being pursued by police. In an attempt to get on the freeway, the brothers take a short cut – right through the middle of a shopping mall. The mall was actually abandoned, but had been redressed for the movie to look as though it was in operation. The car driven by Belushi and Aykroyd, known as the blues mobile, was a 1974 Mount Prospect, Illinois Dodge Monaco patrol car and the studio actually purchased 13 of them for various stunt duties and requirements – some for jumping, some for speed, some for turns etc. The films production included a team of 40 stunt drivers at all times and a 24 hour car repair facility. The final sequence as shown in the film uses multiple cuts and editing to provide point of view shots of the chase and ensuing carnage from both the hood and interior of the vehicle which serves to add to the excitement, humor and completely over the top feel.
Future articles on this topic will showcase more amazing car chases and stunts throughout the 60s, 70s, and 80s through to today.
Martyn Davies is a representative of The Private Plate Company. The Private Plate Company are leaders in personalized number plates and DVLA car registrations. Check out our latest article The Cars of 007 – James Bond!
