Bullitt (DVD, 2005, 2-Disc Set, Special Edition)

Steve McQueen plays a hard-nosed detective in this tale about the routine protection of a star witness that turns out to be anything but routine when the witness is brutally murdered in a cheap hotel. Jacqueline Bisset plays McQueen's girlfriend in a substory. What follows is a gritty, fast-paced pursuit of the killers with plot twists. Bullit has an authentic, stoic feel - many scenes are filmed on location in San Francisco including a real hospital with real doctors and nurses playing roles.

But what really stands out in this film (for this writer at least} is the car chase between Bullit (McQueen) in a souped-up Mustang and the killers, in what appears to be a big-block Olds. Unlike most formulaic Hollywood car chases using stunt drivers, McQueen does some of the driving himself, ranging from hilly, downtown San Francisco streets to twisty-turny roadways. McQueen's skill as a driver shows as he manoeuvers the high-powered car. The sound and camera work are very good; you can hear McQueen double-clutch and 'burn rubber' as he shifts gears. You will find yourself gripping the couch arms as the cars fly and skid up to 100 mph!

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.

Classic movie featuring the inimitable Steve McQueen. Best car-chase sequence in any film in history and an all around great view. Give this one a shot.

I saw this movie originally years ago and loved it, and didnt think much about it until I saw this same DVD at a friends house and said, I should get that.
Bought it through Ebay, dealt with a great seller.
I have a 56' wide screen at home, so the quality (especially for a 70's movie was great) sharp picture, the movie is great, Steve McQueen is the best and did all his own stunts so this makes this even more thrilling
Great movie, if you love Cops and Robbers movies and car chases, you will love this.

One of the best Steve Mcquenn movies ever! The chase sequence through downtown San Fransisco is one of the greatest car chases ever filmed. The documentary that comes with the movie is also very good and goes behind the scenes and talks with the actors and on location with the film crew.A highly entertaining movie that still holds it's own today.