I love driving fast, especially when a great song comes on. I also love watching movies with great car chases, or motorcycle chases for that matter. There is something to be said for a film that has the ability to put the audience in the driver or passenger seat. The following films do just that.
10. The Italian Job
Another movie that uses Mini Coopers. I love the scene above where they are rocketing through the subway system. I can’t wait to see the sequel to this film. The cast of characters is unique and fun. I thought it was cool seeing a helicopter and Mini Cooper chase one another.
9. Bullitt
Steve McQueen is the epitome of cool behind the wheel of his Mustang Fastback and did most of his own driving. The sounds and the camera shaking make the chase scenes in Bullitt some of the best for the money. If you have ever been to San Francisco and know how steep the hills are you have a definite appreciate for this movie seeing as how McQueen did his own driving!
This movie has Gene Hackman blazing through the streets as Officer Doyle. If you enjoy crime thrillers with a nice dose of pedal to the metal city driving behind the wheel of good old Detroit steel. I love the facial expressions Hackman makes while driving. The gritting of the teeth and the scrunching of the eyes truly add to the white knuckled ride through NYC.
The first film has an awesome sequence with a classic Mini Cooper. Matt Damon sure does put that small car through its paces. The trailer with the scenes from the chase sequence are what initially drove me in to see the movie. I love these films because of the story and the action pacing.
6. Terminator 2
This is my favorite film of the Terminator series thus far and that is because it has not one but two awesome chase sequences plus a gazillion bullets and not to forget The Governator. The coolest part is when the semi crashes over the bridge.
The number of cars in this chase scene is what makes this movie great. Oh, that and John Belushi and Dan Akyroyd. I believe there were 200 police cars used not to mention the military vehicles. The coolest scene from the whole film that starts the chase scene is Carrie Fisher chasing the brothers with a machine gun. I also loved the scene when they run the Nazis off of the bridge.
4. Duel
Duel is a film that pits a man driving a car against a semi hell bent on killing him. This TV movie did wonders for Steven Spielberg’s career and made millions of people afraid to cut off a trucker. The film is one big chase sequence with some small amounts of time actually spent outside the car.
3. The Man With The Golden Gun
In 1974’s The Man With The Golden Gun Roger Moore as James Bond steals a red AMC Hornet from a car dealership in Thailand in order to rescue fellow agent played by Britt Eckland. The chase sequence has him doing an daredevil 360-degree, jump over a broken bridge. I prefer Sean Connery or Daniel Craig to any other Bond but this film has a top notch chase scene.
You have to love the music, the horseback riding, the truck full of Nazi’s in Raiders of the Lost Ark! Indy single-handedly takes on the Nazi’s and saves the day. I love the part where he uses his whip to catch onto the bottom of the truck and pulls himself back in.
1. Ronin
This movie not only has great car sequences it also has Robert DeNiro in all of his glory. This is one of my favorite spy thriller movies too. This movie is the second best Jean Reno film aside from The Professional. DeNiro is also very believable and intense as always in the film. I love the suped up Eurocars in this film. Ronin made Audi cool before The Transporter!
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good job Heather!
Bourne Identity came to mind when I read the title of this. I was very young when Ronin came out and I found it boring *gasp* I know, but it was cuz I was a little kid (probably 11 or 12ish) I think. Now with a moe mature outlook on film I’m sure i’ll enjoy it more. Great list.
This one was Jim’s George! Mine will be later, though I think Jim covered a more wide array than I did.
good job Jim!!!
Thanks! Glad you like the list. I would recommend seeing Ronin for those of you who have not seen it.
I’m jealous Jim added Raiders Of The Lost Ark. That scene is so brilliant and intense. I completely forgot about it. And Bullit is a movie I just HAVE to see.
Um, I agree with most of those (I haven’t seen all of them, sadly), but a Best Chase Scenes List that doesn’t include Gone In 60 Seconds? Tsk, tsk. I watch that movie purely to see Eleanor speed through every type of space possible, including the epic bridge scene. Nice call on the Indiana Jones sequence- its a good reminder that chase scenes don’t necessarily have to include cars.
http://themoviemistress.blogspot.com/2009/08/songs-that-should-go-in-movie-scenes_18.html
Both good lists but I am surprised that they include remakes of Gone in 60 Seconds and the Italian Job but not the originals. Here are a few other suggestions:
Vanishing Point
To Live and Die in LA
Dirty Mary Crazy Larry*
Against All Odds
Smoky and the Bandit
White Lightning
Fear is the Key
Thunder Road
*The Charger crashing into a train was one of the film clips used on the opening titles of The Fall Guy TV series
I happen to be partial to Bay’s Gone in 60 seconds for whatever reason, and while the original Italian Job is a better film, the Mini Cooper scene in the re-make is just a better chase scene.
Smokey and The Bandit and Dirty Mar Crazy Larry were choices I considered and deserve a spot on anyones list!
Vanishing Point I’m sad to say is one I simply haven’t seen. Something I should fix immediately I suppose!
I actually enjoyed the Gone in 60 Seconds remake as well, I’m not one of the purists who denounces it at every opportunity (like Kim in Death Proof), as for the Italian Job, I still prefer the original chase. Yes you really should see Vanishing point, and don’t be fooled by the made for TV remake, make sure it’s the original. Also have a look at Two Lane Blacktop while you are at it, a great road movie (very different to a chase movie). Have a look at these, two of my early blogs.
http://fandangogroovers.wordpress.com/2009/04/30/road-movies/
http://fandangogroovers.wordpress.com/2009/04/02/movie-cars/
Thanks Andy! I will check out both of your blog posts and be 100% sure to see Vanishing Point for sure. It’s been added to my list of movies that one day I intend on seeing all of!