Bullitt
Bullitt
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This film has been preserved in the National Film Registry in 2007.
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Bullitt is a 1968 American action thriller film directed by Peter Yates and produced by Philip D'Antoni. The picture stars Steve McQueen, Robert Vaughn, and Jacqueline Bisset. 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.
Plot
Senator Walter Chalmers (Robert Vaughn) is aiming to take down mob boss Pete Ross (Vic Tayback) with the help of testimony from the criminal's hothead brother Johnny (Pat Renella), who is in protective custody in San Francisco under the watch of police lieutenant Frank Bullitt (Steve McQueen). When a pair of mob hitmen enter the scene, Bullitt follows their trail through a maze of complications and double-crosses.
Why It Rocks
- The premise of the detective following their trail through a maze of complications and double-crosses is very creative.
- Steve McQueen gave an amazing performance as Lt. Frank Bullitt.
- Frank Bullitt's Bullitt Mustang is pretty cool.
- Well-done directing by Peter Yates.
- Aside from a car chase scene, there are great action sequences, including the ending scene where Franklin chases Walter Chalmers down the runaway.
- It has likable characters, such as the main protagonist Lt. Frank Bullitt.
- Amazing cinematography.
- The famous long car chase scene throughout the city of San Francisco with Frank Bullitt, and Senator Walter Chalmers, which lasted nearly eleven minutes, and is regarded as one of the most influential in movie history.
- Fantastic soundtrack that was composed by Lalo Schifrin.
Reception
Critical Response
The film was widely acclaimed by critics and audiences alike, and it is considered by some to be one of the best films of 1968. It holds a 97% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes, representing positive reviews from 34 of 35 critics with an average rating of 7.7/10. The website's critical consensus reads: "Steve McQueen is cool as ice in this thrilling police procedural that also happens to contain the arguably greatest car chase ever."
Box Office
The film was smashed at the box office, It grossed $210,000 in its first week, including a Hall record Saturday of $49,073. Produced on a $5.5 million budget, the film grossed over $42.3 million in the US, making it the fourth highest-grossing film of 1968.
Trivia
- Director John Woo's favorite film, as well as director the late William Friedkin's favorite film. It influenced them to make movies like Hard Boiled, The French Connection, Jade, and To Live and Die in L.A..
- None of the sets were built for the film.
- Steve McQueen, Robert Vaughn, and Don Gordon appeared in The Towering Inferno.