Top 10 Unforgettable Car Chases in the Movies
10. Gone in 60 Seconds (2000)
Yes, the original Gone in 60 Seconds made in the 70s was an all-time classic, but for now, we’ll concentrate on the modern remake starring Nicholas Cage. This film, released in 2000, is as cool as the other side of the pillow. It was from the era when films just looked the business – Matrix, Swordfish etc.You’ve got hundreds of cars, Angelina Jolie, and the Shelby Mustang GT500 – can it get any better?
Just turn your speakers up if you’re at home – and listen to that Mustang.
9. Quantum of Solace (2008)
This pick could be a controversial one, but it’s definitely worthy of a place. If driving through the Swiss roads in anger isn’t enough, then the Alfa Romeos and Bond’s Aston Martin DBS surely is. This is a royally manic start to a Bond film, which sets the tone for the rest of the movie.Bond looks cool, the Aston looks cool, and just by watching it, you feel cool too. It’s a win/win situation.
8. Fast and Furious (2001)
Another early 2000s film that is as equally cool as it is sexy. Starring Vin Diesel and that good looking chap whose name you can never remember, The Fast and the Furious showcases Japanese, American and European cars like never before. For one of the first times ever on film, we’re introduced to the world of tuning and modifications. Prepare yourself for a nitrous oxide fueled, adrenaline based car chase.Sit back and watch the driving talent from the stunt men.
7. The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift (2006)
This particular film may be the weakest of the Fast and the Furious franchise, but it still packs a big punch when it comes to the car chase. Just the fact that it’s in Japan makes this one worth watching. There’s plenty of sideways action which is thanks to the country’s love of all things drifting related, so don’t think they’re just showing off.
6. Death Proof (2007)
Death Proof may not be Tarantino’s finest effort, but it still delivers a proper car chase scene with potential death. Kurt Russell is genius in this flick, as he looks as menacing as his death machine. If you like muscle cars and killing young women, this is the flick for you.This is one of the few properly modern films that make this list; so this one is for the young ones brought up on Call of Duty.
5. Vanishing Point (1971)
Released in 1971 and dubbed as the ultimate car chase movie, Vanishing Point became a cult classic for all petrolheads. Barry Newman starred as Kowalski, and his mission was simple: Drive a proper American muscle car, the Dodger Challenger, from Denver to San Francisco in 15 hours with a head full of narcotics to keep him going. With the help of a fly-talking DJ, known as Super Soul, Kowalski is able to beat the bacon through his self-destructive mission.The car chase scenes are superb, and the film was a huge inspiration for Death Proof (watch the two back to back and it’ll become obvious).
4. The French Connection (1971)
Described as one of the best cop movies of all time, The French Connection stars Gene Hackman in full 1970′s glory. It features one of the most unbelievable chases on film as Hackman desperately tries to catch up with a train.Just watch Hackman work at that under steering American car. This is proper adrenaline fueled action.
3. Bullitt (1968)
One sentence can sum up Bullitt perfectly: Steve McQueen driving a Ford Mustang. When the film was released in the hay-day of muscle cars, anyone who liked cars, films, oxygen, life or fine wine watched and loved Bullitt.The film epitomised cool, and with the incredible car chase scene that features the engine noise of McQueen’s Mustang shaking out the fillings in your teeth, Bullitt remains one of the finest cop, and car, films ever.
2. Ronin (1998)
John Frankenheimer’s heist-fest, Ronin, is the type of film where hard men are very hard. They’re the type of men who don’t do interior design, and don’t cry at funerals. They’re real men who wake up in the morning, drink a pint of Stout and maybe see the day off with a little bank robbery and a healthy car chase.This particular car chase scene not only features lots of fast Audis battling for supremacy, but a hell of a lot of big guns, which add the real icing on the cake. Placing all testosterone aside, the entire scene takes place amongst a wonderful European backdrop. This is quality car chase movie directing. Take notes!
1. Blues Brothers (1980)
If youíve ever watched the Blues Brothers, youíll know itís a great piece of film making from cult filmmaker, John Landis. One of the highlights is the big car chase that ends up going through a shopping mall and completely destroying it in the process. And who can forget the grand finale, which easily breaks the record for the most totalled police cars to be captured on celluloid.This all-time classic is packed with text book car chases and sticks two fingers firmly up to modern day health and safety.
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