Bullitt (1968)

Bullitt (1968) – A San Francisco detective walks a thin line as he tries to track the crime boss who ordered the death of a witness in police custody. 

Directed by Peter Yates                             Starring Steve McQueen, Jacqueline Bissett, Robert Vaughn

I was going through the list of movies I’ve reviewed and thinking “How have I missed this movie?”.  Both “The Caine Mutiny” last week and “Bullitt” this week fall into that category.  Movies I have immense respect and affection for, but have somehow not reviewed yet. 

“Bullitt” is one of those movies that change the genre.  There have been “cop movies” for decades.  There have been car chases going back to the earliest movies.  But there had never been anything quite like “Bullitt”.  Guaranteed that if you ask a movie fan about this movie, the first thing they will mention is the car chase through the hills of San Francisco.  The only other mention will be the star, Steve McQueen.  Honestly, they are the two best things about the movie.  The story is pretty stock.  There’s been some kind of double cross and the rule breaking police detective has been set up to take the fall.  He fights the criminals, the power hungry politicians and his own police department to clear his name and bring the bad guy to justice.  Oh, and he’s a tough guy just looking for the right woman to love.  Nothing at all special here in the script.

But oh those two special mentions!  McQueen was a superstar.  He brought a seldom seen blend of movie star sheen and everyday guy to all of his roles.  You got the feeling that if you were his friend he’d be a helluva lot of fun to hang around with on the weekend.  And he’d walk out with the best looking woman every single time.  When McQueen was serious, you pay attention.  He could handle comedy as well. 

Then came the cars.  In real life, Steve McQueen loved beautiful women and fast cars.  Jacqueline Bissett fills one role in the movie.  Her role is small, and like everyone not named Steve McQueen in this movie, she is just there to fill in the space around Lieutenant Frank Bullitt.  The real co-star of the movie are two cars.  The bad guys drive a 1968 Dodge Charger 440 Magnum.  Bullitt drives the ’68 Ford 390 Mustang GT 2+2 Fastback.  They are far and away the sexiest beasts on the set.

McQueen never settled for stock movie footage of cars going fast.  He wanted the audience to feel the g-forces in the corners, the push of the acceleration and the smell of burning rubber.  So the car chase here is up-close and personal.  Fast and furious, the car chase scene last almost 11 minutes.  In addition to the visceral visual style, it’s fun to watch where footage is repeated from a slightly different angle.  They took multiple shots of each scene to give them lots of footage to keep the scene running.  Watch for the green VW bug, and you’ll see what I mean.

The supporting cast is a who’s who of well known movie and television character actors.  They hold up their end of the movie quite well.

In the end, it’s all window dressing for the star, his cars and that amazing chase.

Why You Will Like It – McQueen and the cars are all you could need.

Rating – **** Recommended