Sai and Shujath talk Cinema

This Steve McQueen starrer is famous for its exciting car chase sequence that is considered by many to be among the best ever. Directed by Peter Yates and written by Alan Trustman (The Thomas Crown Affair) and Harry Kleiner, this film tells the story of a particular case handled by San Francisco policeman, Lt. Frank Bullitt.

Bullitt is assigned to protect an important witness by Senator Chalmors who needs the witness to testify in a Senate subcommittee hearing. However, the witness gets shot and later succumbs to his injuries. Who shot him? How did they know the location of the witness? Who is behind the killing? Bullitt sets out to figure out the answers to these questions while Chalmers is baying for his blood.

Yates delivers a film with mood and style suited to its time and McQueen (The Great Escape, Towering Inferno, The Magnificent Seven) is a perfect fit for the role. He plays the cool cop who breaks rules, talks little, gets into trouble with superiors but gets the job done in the end. This 1968 film is probably one of the first to feature such a character later seen/imitated in many films that were very popular in the seventies.

Though the roads of San Francisco make a great location for a car chase that was superbly executed, I believe today’s audience might not find it as exciting as they’ve witnessed more thrilling chases thanks to improved technology and computer graphics. This film might not particularly appeal to this generation of moviegoers but it makes a decent watch for those who have previously enjoyed such films.