Bullitt [HD DVD]

 

 

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this movie is great because of the realism applied to
police, hospital, and morgue procedures, not theatrical thats
what makes it good, not to mention the awesome chase scene one of the first of its of kind, and one that all scenes are measured against, not a whole lot of action,not much violence,
nudity, or profanity makes this a great movie for younger audiences, the plot is great, and mcqueen is awesome. this is a
must for any steve mcqueen fan or anyone that appreciates a realistic approach to movie making and anyone who can appreciate a awesome chase scene with two of the best muscle cars around

This is a classic movie with Steve McQueen which many people will find boring, but if you're a fan of any Clint Eastwood style film you'll enjoy this. It's kind of a slow pace, but the film is highly detailed to represent things as they are in the real world. It also features one of the greatest, and probably the first great car chase scenes in movie history through the streets and hills of San Francisco. Steve McQueen actually does a lot of his own stunt driving in the movie. Excellent mastered picture quality.

It's not all about the most famous car chase scene in cinematic history, but that one extended scene does make Bullitt one of those rites of passage every serious movie fan must experience at some point in his/her life. This really is an unusual film in many ways; as much as it influenced scores of future films in the tough, gritty cop genre, it's still unique. More modern-day maverick cops spend half their time playing the fool, destroying half their cities, throwing random hissy fits, and posturing a lot. Steve McQueen didn't have to posture because he was the real deal. He could have gone through this entire movie without uttering a single word and still been hailed by fans and critics alike.

Bullitt sports an amazing cast: alongside Steve McQueen you have the lovely Jacqueline Bissett, Robert Vaughn, Robert Duvall, Norman "Mr. Roper" Fell, Victor "Mel" Tayback, and plenty of other actors I'm not familiar with serving up sustained dramatic brilliance. Let's hope they never try to remake this classic, especially since this movie's style would never pass muster at any Hollywood studio of the 21st century. Bullitt doesn't come right out and explain everything to you at the beginning, nor does it take the time to explicitly identify important clues as the investigation progresses. You can go several minutes at a time without hearing a word of dialogue. It's not a difficult movie to follow, but you do need to pay attention as a viewer. A few scenes seem superfluous, but I think that sort of adds even more to the Bullitt mystique. The final scene, for example, is quite subdued and unlike anything you'll find preceding any closing credits today.

As far as the story goes, Lieutenant Bullitt (McQueen) is assigned to guard a Mob witness set to testify against his old buddies. Walter Chalmers, a local prosecutor with political ambitions (Robert Vaughn, who's a natural at portraying sleazy politicos) is frothing at the mouth at the thought of all the publicity he'll get when his witness blows the lid on some major league players in organized crime. It turns out that the secret hiding place isn't a secret after all, and everything pretty much goes to heck, leaving the star witness fighting for his life while Bullitt finds himself in the crosshairs of an unhappy Chalmers. Already detecting the faint but undeniable odor of a rat, Bullitt truly takes charge of the whole investigation, even as Chalmers pressures the higher-ups in the police department to give Bullitt's lease several long, hard yanks. Now, as the action begins to ratchet up minute by minute, the plot gets curiouser and curiouser - and Bullitt's job more dangerous. The famous car chase up and down the streets of San Francisco is the highlight of the movie, but there's plenty of action all the way to the end.

The secret of the car chase's success is realism: no music, just tires squalling and engines revving (even if they're not always in perfect synch), with a great mix of external shots and point-of-view shots from inside Bullitt's Mustang, putting you right there zooming up and down the steep hills of San Francisco. The editing of this scene brought home an Oscar, and it's as thrilling today as it was in 1968 - despite the fact that several continuity errors are easily detected in the editing (that little green Doodlebug just keeps popping up, doesn't it?).

It's hard to really describe this film for others, although I can point out that, in terms of the action, it rejects melodrama in favor of authenticity. On the face of things, it sounds like a movie that shouldn't be all that special - but it is (at least for men; I'm not sure the movie will appeal to a lot of female viewers). The best way I can explain why this is so is to say this: Steve McQueen is the man.

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5.0 out of 5 stars bullitt
It is a classic movie, one of the best auto chase because you fell like it you are in the car with reality.

Published 5 months ago by SYLVAIN CLERMONT

4.0 out of 5 stars Ultimate Cool
Steve McQueen being just too cool for words, but actually putting in a totally convincing performance. Read more

Published on Dec 21 2008 by Neil Olsen

4.0 out of 5 stars ... Hits a bullseye!
An absolute classic that is worth the watch. The HD transfer is top quality. You feel like you are watching a film from just last year, not 1968. Read more

Published on Oct 4 2007 by Joseph Kayne

5.0 out of 5 stars Mustang makes it worth it.
The movie should be seperated into 2 parts, the actual movie and the historical car chase scene. This movie (with the exception of James Bond) redefined what a car chase scene... Read more

Published on Jun 2 2005 by Rob

4.0 out of 5 stars Put on a Sweater
This detective drama aimed to be the essence of cool, and succeeded, in fact it's a little too cool, can somebody turn up the thermostat? Read more

Published on July 7 2004

5.0 out of 5 stars McQUEEN COOL!
Ignore the paisley pajamas, Steve McQueen was an icon of cool and BULLITT is the proof. Peter Yates has a smart thinking man's cop drama, bolstered by (yes) the best chase scene... Read more

Published on July 1 2004 by Gregory Saffady

3.0 out of 5 stars The good, the bad, and the pretty
"Bullitt" is highly regarded by many for either "the chase", or the drama.

The good and the bad: True, there is a high-speed car chase in part through the... Read more

Published on Jun 27 2004 by K. Gittins

5.0 out of 5 stars A super cult movie
This film, has been till now the major achievement of Peter Yates, there are several reasons for this statement, a dazzling direction, the charismatic presence of Steve Mc Queen... Read more

Published on Jun 4 2004 by Hiram Gomez Pardo

4.0 out of 5 stars Bullitt Hits The Mark
1968's Bullitt is best known for its classic car chase scene that is still considered by many to the best of all time. Read more

Published on Jun 4 2004 by Thomas Magnum

5.0 out of 5 stars Glass Menagerie
Director Peter Yates paradoxically mixes a documentary feel with glossy textures to create a the ultimate zen police drama. Read more

Published on April 25 2004 by desefinado

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