Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #1282 in DVD
• Released on: 2005-07-18
• Rating: Suitable for 15 years and over
• Aspect ratio: 1.85:1
• Formats: Box set, PAL, Special Edition, Widescreen
• Original language: English
• Number of discs: 2
• Running time: 109 minutes

Synopsis
In one of his most memorable roles, Steve McQueen stars as Detective Frank Bullitt, a hard-driving, tough-as-nails San Francisco cop. Bullitt has just received what sounds like a routine assignment: keep a star witness out of sight and out of danger for 48 hours, then deliver him to the courtroom on Monday morning. But before the night is out, the witness will lie dying of shotgun wounds, and Bullitt, a no-glitter, all-guts cop, won't rest until he nabs the gunmen and the elusive underworld kingpin who hired them. From opening shot to closing shootout, Peter Yates's edge-of-the seat thriller is packed with authentic touches, from on-location San Francisco filming and believably crisp dialogue to uncompromisingly detailed police, hospital, and morgue procedures. The most memorable scene is BULLITT's celebrated car chase. McQueen, an expert automobile and motorcycle racer, does his own stunt driving as he propels his high-performance Mustang GT around and over San Francisco's fabled hills at speeds up to 115 miles an hour. The film is based on Robert L. Pike's book, MUTE WITNESS.

Customer Reviews

More than just a car chase
The car chase in Bullitt may seem a bit less impressive than it once did because filmmakers have been trying to top it for the best part of four decades. More of a cat-and-mouse game than a demolition derby, its overshadowed by the film's other action setpieces - a murder in a safe house, a tense chase in a hospital and a great airport finale that Michael Mann ripped off wholesale in Heat. A beautifully constructed star vehicle for Steve McQueen at his best, it's pretty much the prototype for every Hollywood cop movie that followed, but benefits from good casting (Robert Vaughn, Jacqueline Bisset, Don Gordon, Simon Oakland, Robert Duvall), better characterisation than the norm and a low key approach from director Peter Yates that makes the highs seem a lot more effective than they should. The plot's not bad either, with Lalo Schifrin contributing a cool score and Pablo Ferra a terrific main title sequence.

The 2-disc set certainly boasts an improved transfer over the original single-disc release, but aside from Yates audio commentary, a vintage making of featurette and the trailer, the extras aren't that film specific - a good feature-length documentary on film editing and another on McQueen.

Yep, a classic car chase - shame about the plot, script, pace, etc, etc...
I love the car chase.

Not simply for the stunts, but at least as much for the way the music blends perfectly, upping the suspense as the biters start to realise that they themselves are about to get bit. In fact, the initial, slow stages as the hitters keep tabs on Bullitt (what a stupid name!), are every bit as watchable (to me) as the later high speed tyre-burning stuff. Flobba-dobbing V8 motors sound nearly as good idling under light throttle openings in the traffic, as they do when the drivers let 'em rip later on. You know, I really might just have to ask for that part of the soundtrack to be played at my funeral!

I am driven to wonder, though: why on earth does Bullitt insist on blipping the throttle in the middle of each upshift? It almost spoils the soundtrack of the chase, and is really weird. On a large, very slow revving truck engine with a crash gearbox (i.e. no synchromesh - showing my age again!) - perhaps, but not necessary (I believe) on a Ford 390 (large enough, and fairly slow revving, too, but not that slow...).

Oh, and McQueen, if he really did do some of the driving, was a rubbish driver. The scenes where he takes long curves in the countryside, have the Mustang threepenny bitting (showing my age here) horribly - although it has to be said that, while the Mustang (that one particular model) looks and sounds great, they handle atrociously (leaf springs, on a SPORTS car???).

The killers are perfect - each one different, both wordless, both very cool in their different ways - one rough and merciless, the other more dandified but oozing expert self control.

Yes, one chase scene is shown from 3 or more different camera angles. I think it actually adds a little something.

Rest of the entire movie? BORING!!!

A great piece of McQueen cinema
Like many, I watched Bullitt after years of hearing the hype about its car chase, I decided to buy the film to see if it lives up to its legacy.

I believe it does, but there is more to this film than the car chase. It oozes style as McQueen goes about investing the murder of the witness, and the serious injury his colleague sustains in the assassination. As Bullitt digs deeper into the case, he becomes involved with the murky world of a publicity & success hungry senator who seems keen to hinder Bullitt, but he is wise and works the system in his favour, a results driven policeman cynical at the world of politicians meddling in police affairs.

McQueen throws himself into this role, and the film stays true, it might seem plodding in places as Bullitt recreates the steps leading up to the assassination, but it thrives on detail rather than trying to cram in too much to the film.

And then there is the car chase, voted by some as the best ever. It is certainly one of the best, I never recall a film that fades the music out during car chase, but the soundtrack in this film is the V8 engines in Bullitt’s Mustang, and the hit men in the ’68 Charger. Unlike modern films, this entire chase was filmed in sequence and on real streets at real high speeds. Modern films like 2Fast 2Furious depend on poor computer generated chase scenes. The screeching of tyres, and roar of the engines make such an action packed chase as they tear through the streets of San Francisco. Yes the cameras filmed it from several angles so the Beetle reappears in the background more than once, but it doesn’t detract from the chase. It certainly isn’t unique in being a film with continuity errors.

A great film if you like action police dramas.