10. Gone In 60 Seconds (1974)
This is not the other Angelina Jolie movie you're thinking of, it's a classic. And there's no defending producer-director-star-chief stunt driver H.B. Halicki's original Gone in 60 Seconds as a good movie. The story is disjointed and random, the dialog could have been written by a 4-year-old, every frame of film looks overexposed and the acting isn't even good enough to qualify as wooden. But it does feature a 40-minute chase in which, Halicki was proud to brag, almost 100 cars were wrecked. It's the sort of film we all dream of making while we're stuck in junior high school study hall, but it took real-life junkyard owner Halicki to make it. Tragically, Halicki was killed in 1989 while filming the sequel in a stunt gone wrong.
This is not the other Angelina Jolie movie you're thinking of, it's a classic. And there's no defending producer-director-star-chief stunt driver H.B. Halicki's original Gone in 60 Seconds as a good movie. The story is disjointed and random, the dialog could have been written by a 4-year-old, every frame of film looks overexposed and the acting isn't even good enough to qualify as wooden. But it does feature a 40-minute chase in which, Halicki was proud to brag, almost 100 cars were wrecked. It's the sort of film we all dream of making while we're stuck in junior high school study hall, but it took real-life junkyard owner Halicki to make it. Tragically, Halicki was killed in 1989 while filming the sequel in a stunt gone wrong.
10. Gone In 60 Seconds (1974)
This is not the other Angelina Jolie movie you're thinking of, it's a classic. And there's no defending producer-director-star-chief stunt driver H.B. Halicki's original Gone in 60 Seconds as a good movie. The story is disjointed and random, the dialog could have been written by a 4-year-old, every frame of film looks overexposed and the acting isn't even good enough to qualify as wooden. But it does feature a 40-minute chase in which, Halicki was proud to brag, almost 100 cars were wrecked. It's the sort of film we all dream of making while we're stuck in junior high school study hall, but it took real-life junkyard owner Halicki to make it. Tragically, Halicki was killed in 1989 while filming the sequel in a stunt gone wrong.
This is not the other Angelina Jolie movie you're thinking of, it's a classic. And there's no defending producer-director-star-chief stunt driver H.B. Halicki's original Gone in 60 Seconds as a good movie. The story is disjointed and random, the dialog could have been written by a 4-year-old, every frame of film looks overexposed and the acting isn't even good enough to qualify as wooden. But it does feature a 40-minute chase in which, Halicki was proud to brag, almost 100 cars were wrecked. It's the sort of film we all dream of making while we're stuck in junior high school study hall, but it took real-life junkyard owner Halicki to make it. Tragically, Halicki was killed in 1989 while filming the sequel in a stunt gone wrong.
8. To Live and Die in L.A. (1985)
As the life of a Secret Service agent (played by CSI star and legit car enthusiast William Petersen) slides into anarchy, he takes greater and greater chances with his own life and the lives of those around him. That's brought home in the chaotic chase staged by director William Friedkin that concludes with Petersen piloting his Chevrolet the wrong way down the freeway. But look more closely, and you'll notice that Petersen is driving on the right-hand side of the road while Friedkin has sent the rest of traffic in the wrong direction. It's just part of the insanity that makes this chase simultaneously so disconcerting and thrilling
As the life of a Secret Service agent (played by CSI star and legit car enthusiast William Petersen) slides into anarchy, he takes greater and greater chances with his own life and the lives of those around him. That's brought home in the chaotic chase staged by director William Friedkin that concludes with Petersen piloting his Chevrolet the wrong way down the freeway. But look more closely, and you'll notice that Petersen is driving on the right-hand side of the road while Friedkin has sent the rest of traffic in the wrong direction. It's just part of the insanity that makes this chase simultaneously so disconcerting and thrilling
7. Smokey and the Bandit (1977)
If it weren't for Star Wars, Smokey and the Bandit would have been the highest grossing film of 1977. As it is, the film's been continuously popular for more than 30 years now. Kids who weren't born in the same decade that the film was released are able to sing Jerry Reed's "East Bound and Down" from the soundtrack. The combination of director Hal Needham and his one-time roommate Burt Reynolds results in an enormously self-satisfied movie that mixes excellent car stunts with a great comic performance from Jackie Gleason. But the biggest winner this film produced was Pontiac, which saw sales of the Firebird Trans Am skyrocket after its appearance as Reynolds's ride. For good or ill, Smokey and his stunts are ingrained in our culture.
If it weren't for Star Wars, Smokey and the Bandit would have been the highest grossing film of 1977. As it is, the film's been continuously popular for more than 30 years now. Kids who weren't born in the same decade that the film was released are able to sing Jerry Reed's "East Bound and Down" from the soundtrack. The combination of director Hal Needham and his one-time roommate Burt Reynolds results in an enormously self-satisfied movie that mixes excellent car stunts with a great comic performance from Jackie Gleason. But the biggest winner this film produced was Pontiac, which saw sales of the Firebird Trans Am skyrocket after its appearance as Reynolds's ride. For good or ill, Smokey and his stunts are ingrained in our culture.
6. Against All Odds (1984)
Director Taylor Hackford tried to revive film noir with this moody depiction of moral corruption in Los Angeles. But what remains indelible is the action Hackford staged along L.A.'s always-crowded Sunset Boulevard between a Porsche 911 Cabriolet and Ferrari 308 GTSi (it was actually filmed on successive Sunday mornings with the road closed for 15-minute bursts). Almost unique among cinematic car chases, both vehicles emerge intact from this contest. Incidentally, that's Carey Loftin again behind the wheel of the Ferrari. He was 70 years old when this film was shot.
Director Taylor Hackford tried to revive film noir with this moody depiction of moral corruption in Los Angeles. But what remains indelible is the action Hackford staged along L.A.'s always-crowded Sunset Boulevard between a Porsche 911 Cabriolet and Ferrari 308 GTSi (it was actually filmed on successive Sunday mornings with the road closed for 15-minute bursts). Almost unique among cinematic car chases, both vehicles emerge intact from this contest. Incidentally, that's Carey Loftin again behind the wheel of the Ferrari. He was 70 years old when this film was shot.
5. The French Connection (1971)
William Friedkin steered this tale of cops and heroin smugglers in New York City to five Academy Award wins including Best Director and Best Picture. This was also the film that made Gene Hackman a star; conventional wisdom has it that Hackman secured his Best Actor Oscar during the rough-and-tumble ride wherein Detective Jimmy "Popeye" Doyle commandeers a 1971 Pontiac Le Mans to pursue a killer speeding above him in an elevated train. It's not only an amazing chase in its own right, it also fits so perfectly with the story and aids in explaining the unyielding, uncompromising and obsessive Doyle.
William Friedkin steered this tale of cops and heroin smugglers in New York City to five Academy Award wins including Best Director and Best Picture. This was also the film that made Gene Hackman a star; conventional wisdom has it that Hackman secured his Best Actor Oscar during the rough-and-tumble ride wherein Detective Jimmy "Popeye" Doyle commandeers a 1971 Pontiac Le Mans to pursue a killer speeding above him in an elevated train. It's not only an amazing chase in its own right, it also fits so perfectly with the story and aids in explaining the unyielding, uncompromising and obsessive Doyle.
4. Bullitt (1968)
Forty years on, the chase in Bullitt remains the chase against which all other movie car chases are measured. The scene benefits hugely from star Steve McQueen's natural ability behind the wheel: What makes it a cinematic landmark is its sense of realism and quality of its driving. Director Peter Yates keeps thrills coming, so it's easy to overlook the dozens of hubcaps that fly off the bad guy's '68 Dodge Charger and the fact that McQueen's Mustang seems to pass the same VW Bug a thousand times. That's legendary stunt driver Bill Hickman behind the wheel of the Charger, and when McQueen wasn't driving the Mustang GT 390, it was expertly handled by stunt coordinator Carey Loftin.
Forty years on, the chase in Bullitt remains the chase against which all other movie car chases are measured. The scene benefits hugely from star Steve McQueen's natural ability behind the wheel: What makes it a cinematic landmark is its sense of realism and quality of its driving. Director Peter Yates keeps thrills coming, so it's easy to overlook the dozens of hubcaps that fly off the bad guy's '68 Dodge Charger and the fact that McQueen's Mustang seems to pass the same VW Bug a thousand times. That's legendary stunt driver Bill Hickman behind the wheel of the Charger, and when McQueen wasn't driving the Mustang GT 390, it was expertly handled by stunt coordinator Carey Loftin.
3. Dirty Mary Crazy Larry (1974)
Just about everyone who grew up during the 1980s remembers this film's classic climax, not because they've actually seen the film, but because footage of the lime green '69 Dodge Charger hitting a locomotive was integrated into the opening of the TV series The Fall Guy. But as vivid as that smashing collision is, it's the pursuit beforehand that's most impressive. Working on a microscopic budget, director John Hough cast actor Vic Morrow as the obsessive pursuing sheriff in a Bell Jet Ranger helicopter alongside veteran stunt pilot James Gavin, then had them chase that Charger through citrus orchards at extremely low altitudes. The result is automotive insanity and astounding aviation.
Just about everyone who grew up during the 1980s remembers this film's classic climax, not because they've actually seen the film, but because footage of the lime green '69 Dodge Charger hitting a locomotive was integrated into the opening of the TV series The Fall Guy. But as vivid as that smashing collision is, it's the pursuit beforehand that's most impressive. Working on a microscopic budget, director John Hough cast actor Vic Morrow as the obsessive pursuing sheriff in a Bell Jet Ranger helicopter alongside veteran stunt pilot James Gavin, then had them chase that Charger through citrus orchards at extremely low altitudes. The result is automotive insanity and astounding aviation.
2. Vanishing Point (1971)
Cut through all the hippy-dippy gobbledygook and amphetamine-fueled existentialism in Vanishing Point, and what remains is some of the best stunt driving ever recorded. Director Richard Sarafian gets credit for letting legendary Hollywood stuntman Carey Loftin design and execute Vanishing Point's driving scenes. Loftin handles the iconic white 1970 Dodge Challenger R/T with amazing daring, scene after scene, crossing median strips while just missing cross traffic, sliding along dirt roads, and running at what are obviously true high speeds. The story may have aged, but the driving is timeless.
Cut through all the hippy-dippy gobbledygook and amphetamine-fueled existentialism in Vanishing Point, and what remains is some of the best stunt driving ever recorded. Director Richard Sarafian gets credit for letting legendary Hollywood stuntman Carey Loftin design and execute Vanishing Point's driving scenes. Loftin handles the iconic white 1970 Dodge Challenger R/T with amazing daring, scene after scene, crossing median strips while just missing cross traffic, sliding along dirt roads, and running at what are obviously true high speeds. The story may have aged, but the driving is timeless.
1. Ronin (1998)
Veteran director John Frankenheimer used the techniques he pioneered back in his 1966 racing film Grand Prix (itself a contender for this list) and applied it to the three white-knuckle chases in this story of mercenaries hunting one another through Europe. Employing Formula One pilots as stunt drivers, Frankenheimer let loose brawny Euro-muscle machinery like the Audi S8, BMW M5 and Mercedes-Benz 6.9 to battle one another on narrow city streets, on roads cut along the French Riviera coast, through tunnels and while driving against traffic on crowded highways. It's one thing to wreck cars in a movie, it's something else altogether to have them driven as brilliantly as they are in Ronin.
Veteran director John Frankenheimer used the techniques he pioneered back in his 1966 racing film Grand Prix (itself a contender for this list) and applied it to the three white-knuckle chases in this story of mercenaries hunting one another through Europe. Employing Formula One pilots as stunt drivers, Frankenheimer let loose brawny Euro-muscle machinery like the Audi S8, BMW M5 and Mercedes-Benz 6.9 to battle one another on narrow city streets, on roads cut along the French Riviera coast, through tunnels and while driving against traffic on crowded highways. It's one thing to wreck cars in a movie, it's something else altogether to have them driven as brilliantly as they are in Ronin.
