"Bullitt" A detective drama representing the 1960s that broke new ground for car chases.

McQueen wasn't satisfied with the car chase

Traditionally, car chases are filmed by the second team. But from the beginning, Peter Yates insisted on filming himself. Of course, that's because they knew Steve McQueen would do many of his own stunts. He's one of Hollywood's best car racers (in fact, famous stunt driver Bud Ekins also drives in many scenes).

However, McQueen, who is extremely particular about cars, doesn't seem to be very satisfied with this car chase. Let's take a look at an excerpt from his interview.

"In the script, Frank Bullitt was supposed to drive a Mercedes convertible. He's an educated, career-driven, proactive guy, so naturally he would drive something like that. But apparently it was a tall order for the stunt coordinators, so they went to a junkyard or something and came back with this beat-up Mustang. I said, ``This is for perverts to drive.'' It's a car like that.'' (Excerpt from interview *1)

I am suddenly angry at the choice of car. McQueen's complaints never stop.

"In that scene (the car chase), I look disgusted. That's not an act. It's the real me. I'm disgusted. You know, that scene was trash." (Excerpt from interview *2)

Bullitt©1968, Package Design & Supplementary Material Compilation ©2008 Warner Bros.Entertainment Inc. Distributed by Warner Home Video. All Rights Reserved.

It's already a storm of abuse. However, I don't know if he is serious about this statement. After filming wrapped, McQueen wanted to buy the Mustang used in the movie. Would he go out of his way to get the car used in the scene of the car chase that he called “garbage” and that was “the kind of car that a pervert would drive?”

Without a doubt, ``Bullitt'' is one of the most representative detective dramas of the 1960s. Its influence can be clearly seen in `` The French Connection '' (1971) and `` Dirty Harry, '' which were made immediately after. The famous airport confrontation scene in `` Heat '' (1995) is also an homage to ``Bullitt.'' John Woo and William Friedkin have declared this film to be their favorite movie. In other words, what I want to say in the end is that "Bullitt" is awesome! That's what I mean. that's all!

*1: https://www.hagerty.com/media/people/in-this-long-lost-interview-steve-mcqueen-talks-le-mans-bullitt-and-gulf-blue/

*2: https://www.hagerty.com/media/people/in-this-long-lost-interview-steve-mcqueen-talks-le-mans-bullitt-and-gulf-blue/

Text: Rui Takeshima

A pop culture writer who wants to be kicked by Hit Girl. Host of the web magazine "POP MASTER".

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"Bullitt"

Additional Japanese dubbed audio version Blu-ray 6,369 yen (tax included) / DVD 1,572 yen (tax included) /

Publisher: Warner Bros. Home Entertainment

Distributor: NBC Universal Entertainment

Bullitt ©1968, Package Design & Supplementary Material Compilation ©2008 Warner Bros.Entertainment Inc. Distributed by Warner Home Video. All Rights Reserved.