On B List of Movie Reviews
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Bullitt (1968)
Rate:
8
Viewed:
3/03, 1/06, 11/11, 6/15
1/06:
The difference between Bullitt and most policiers is the no-frills, no-thrills old fashioned cop work.
That's how Steve McQueen wanted it done. And of course, the reward for sitting through the film is the greatest car chase ever
in cinema history.
My favorite part is the clash of personalities between Frank Bullitt and Walter Chalmers. What makes the former likable is
his cool persona, and what makes the latter unlikable is his forceful insistence. However, it might have been a better picture if
the sappy romance was downplayed a bit.
All in all, Bullitt is slightly dated and slow-paced, but Steve McQueen is still the King of Cool.
11/11:
Having watched Bullitt again, my opinion hasn't changed a bit.
It's a no-frills, no-thrills policier that'll influence the making of Dirty Harry and
The French Connection. Steve McQueen is perfect as Frank Bullitt, and so is Robert Vaughn as Walter Chalmers. On the
other hand, Jacqueline Bisset is distracting and remains the weakest link. Obviously, the key scene is the high-speed car
chase through the streets of San Francisco. Of course, the opening title sequence is a must-see.
All in all, Bullitt is among Steve McQueen's greatest hits.
6/15:
This is the one that started it all.
Bullitt is the most influential film that started off the wave of unique policiers such
as Dirty Harry and The French Connnection.
Steve McQueen founded Solar Productions, and the first film was Bullitt. His goal was to make a
film that represented his vision, that is, as little dialogue as possible, a simple plot, a city setting, authentic
location shots, high realism in police procedure, and the best car chase ever as the showpiece. While at it, Steve McQueen
searched for the right director, and he found one in Peter Yates because of his work Robbery. What
he wanted out of him was the understanding and vision of how car chase should go down. And the rest was history.
Steve McQueen plays Frank Bullitt, a no-nonsense cop who doesn't mince words, and when he does, it's usually a
conversation killer. He follows the letter of the law and gets results. That's why there's nothing flashy going on.
It's all straightforward. Steve McQueen is perfect as the eponymous lieutenant as he puts his Method acting to work
and makes most of the minimalism with his facial expressions.
Frank Keller's award-winning editing coupled with William Fraker's cinematography transforms Bullitt into a stylish
policier that's unlike a lot of policiers. It's the last fifteen minutes that makes a point of how facial
expressions can be effective for a thrilling movie.
Of course, the car chase, which is one of the best in cinema history, is unforgettable, powerful, and jolting. What's brilliant
is the over-the-shoulder shot that makes me feel like I'm inside the car. Almost rivaling it is the title
sequence by Pablo Ferro. Once I'm through it, that's when I knew I would be in for a ride.
Apart from the sometimes deathly slow pace, the worst part is Jacqueline Bisset. Although she's not a
scene-killer, the high allotment of her screen time is unnecessary. There are several scenes with her character and Frank
Bullitt, especially after the incident at the San Mateo Thunderbolt Hotel, that are superfluous. Minimized shots
of her should be enough to show their relationship in a subtle way. In fact, the less of her, the better.
Although Steve McQueen is the star of the show, it's Robert Vaughn who steals the film as Walter Chalmers. Every time Walter
appears, I'm like, "He doesn't look pleased." Hence, he's a scary guy because of his political clout. I love Don Gordon as
Steve McQueen's sidekick, and he has an interesting face. Robert Duvall is in it for a short appearance which
helps enhance Bullitt more. Simon Oakland, who had a brilliant part in Pyscho, is fun to watch. Everybody else is
sinister-looking.
All in all, Bullitt is among greatest San Francisco pictures made with the one of the most stylish title sequences
and the best car chase ever filmed.