Memorable car chase scenes

[Smokey]

I was watching Bullitt with Steve McQueen the other night and this film got one of best car chase scenes ever filmed. So gave me an idea for a thread

Not in any particular order:

Bullitt: Going thru San Francisco streets at 70mph and dodging every car, this an edge of your seat ride. The camera is mounted on dashboard so the viewers feel like they are the one driving the car.


The Rock: Sean Connery in a Hummer and Nicolas Cage in a Ferrari go at it in streets of San Francisco. Director Michael Bay uses great camera angles for in your face impacts.


Ronin: Low camera angles hugging the streets as they zoom by, its high-speed chases through the streets and tunnels of Paris. The look on Robert De Niro face in the chase scene is priceless.


Duel: The first film directed by Steven Spileberg also got few good car chase scenes where an oil tanker play cat and mouse game with a Dodge.


The French Connection: Gene Hackman go up against a train in a Pontiac LeMans.


Gone in 60 Seconds: Nicolas Cage turns expert car thief in Gone in 60 Seconds. With the cops waiting for him, he has no choice but to try and outrun them, leading to an adrenaline pumping chase through Long Beach, California.


Road Warrior:The last scene contain one of more daring car chase scene ever filmed.

[Feanor]

'Bullitt' still rules for me. The 'Bourne' series had a few good car chases too.

[JohnMichael]

'Bullitt' still rules for me.

I agree completely.

[Jack in Wilmington]

A guy that I met last week at our car club get together has one of the "Bullitt" Mustangs that was put out by Ford in 2009. The did a nice job on it. Real retro vibe.

[Smokey]

I am supposing that Bullitt also helped boost Ford's Mustang sales. My older brother had a mustang back in late 70's and that car was nothing but pure muscle. A small low riding body with a big V8 engine.

[harley .guy07]

Bullit is by far the best one for me. But I do like the Road Warrior chase though and it has a twist. The scene with the motorcycle rider flips through the air was not planned and the guy died while filming the scene. I don't think that makes it better but it puts it into perspective what the stunt guys had to go through to make these films.

[Jack in Wilmington]

Another good one is not your typical car chase, but it's in the movie Taken when Liam Neeson's character is chasing after the boat where his daughter is being held.

[Smokey]

But I do like the Road Warrior chase though and it has a twist. The scene with the motorcycle rider flips through the air was not planned and the guy died while filming the scene. I don't think that makes it better but it puts it into perspective what the stunt guys had to go through to make these films.

I agree. Some of chase stunts work in Road Warrior (especially the last chase scene) are truly death defying as there is no safety net. One wrong move and the 18 wheeler will run over you.

[Feanor]

I am supposing that Bullitt also helped boost Ford's Mustang sales. My older brother had a mustang back in late 70's and that car was nothing but pure muscle. A small low riding body with a big V8 engine.

Lots of vintage car enthusiasts have sought Bullitt Mustage replicas. Visually the car had an understated macho of enduring appeal.

The Bullitt car chase had a sense of realism and immediacy that few have achieved since, and that's the basis of its appeal, IMO. The slow start of the chase was a factor in this. Since then most chase scenes have seem contrived or hyperbolic.

[Jack in Wilmington]

Lots of vintage car enthusiasts have sought Bullitt Mustage replicas. Visually the car had an understated macho of enduring appeal.

The Bullitt car chase had a sense of realism and immediacy that few have achieved since, and that's the basis of its appeal, IMO. The slow start of the chase was a factor in this. Since then most chase scenes have seem contrived or hyperbolic.

When McQueen realizes the Charger is following him and then he loses them and then the Mustang appears in the Charger's rear view mirror, you know you're in for something special.