Raquelle Rewind: Steve McQueen in Bullitt
September 30th 2008 01:57
Steve McQueen is cool PERIOD. And his performance in Bullitt (1968) is no exception. He’s sexy, suave and not afraid to tell you to stick it.
For those that are yet to see the classic Bullitt directed by Peter Yates (The Saint), it tells the story of San Francisco cop - Frank Bullittt (McQueen) – who must hunt the killer of a Mafia informant he swore to protect, and fellow cop. But as Bullittt begins his search for the killer and the leak, his mission is hampered by an ambitious and threatening politician (Robert Vaughn) and revelations of the informant’s true identity.
Its a no holds barred action thriller – Steve McQueen is one of the screen’s first true ‘Dirty Harry’ – which paved the way for a number of films and television series featuring a reckless and insubordinate police officer on a mission to catch the killer at all cost, like Starsky and Hutch and Miami Vice.
With its moody original score - a funky mix of jazz, brass and percussion – it surely entertains and keeps the suspense in toe with lots of pulsating rhythmic beats.
Complementing this is superior use of shadow and light and Yates’ unique camera positioning. The film is most remembered for its extensive car chase sequence through the streets of beautiful San Francisco Bay Area. Its also notable for its terrifying foot chase through a San Francisco Airport at night (a choreographic nightmare) – most memorable is McQueen trapped under a plane at take off.
All in all, one would argue that this is a true ‘blokes’ film. Well it does have all the telltale sign; Bullitt has the ‘token’ worried and overprotective girlfriend, played by the beautiful yet underappreciated Jacqueline Bisset, and seems to feature cars, cars and more cars... While it does comply with the traditional landscape of male genres, its a true classic that should be
appreciated by a multitude of film enthusiasts for time to come.
What’s most refreshing about McQueen’s performance is his careful detached approach to playing Bullitt. It would be so easy to overplay the unruliness that is intrinsic to the character of Bullitt, and McQueen doesn’t disappoint. His simple sincere delivery is complemented by the film’s overall style and ingenuity, during a period of superb filmmaking achievements.
If you haven’t seen Bullitt – go and rent/buy it, if you have, dust it off and enjoy the moody tunes and suave coolness that is McQueen.
Enjoy!
Steve McQueen in Bullitt (1968)
For those that are yet to see the classic Bullitt directed by Peter Yates (The Saint), it tells the story of San Francisco cop - Frank Bullittt (McQueen) – who must hunt the killer of a Mafia informant he swore to protect, and fellow cop. But as Bullittt begins his search for the killer and the leak, his mission is hampered by an ambitious and threatening politician (Robert Vaughn) and revelations of the informant’s true identity.
Its a no holds barred action thriller – Steve McQueen is one of the screen’s first true ‘Dirty Harry’ – which paved the way for a number of films and television series featuring a reckless and insubordinate police officer on a mission to catch the killer at all cost, like Starsky and Hutch and Miami Vice.
With its moody original score - a funky mix of jazz, brass and percussion – it surely entertains and keeps the suspense in toe with lots of pulsating rhythmic beats.
Complementing this is superior use of shadow and light and Yates’ unique camera positioning. The film is most remembered for its extensive car chase sequence through the streets of beautiful San Francisco Bay Area. Its also notable for its terrifying foot chase through a San Francisco Airport at night (a choreographic nightmare) – most memorable is McQueen trapped under a plane at take off.
All in all, one would argue that this is a true ‘blokes’ film. Well it does have all the telltale sign; Bullitt has the ‘token’ worried and overprotective girlfriend, played by the beautiful yet underappreciated Jacqueline Bisset, and seems to feature cars, cars and more cars... While it does comply with the traditional landscape of male genres, its a true classic that should be
appreciated by a multitude of film enthusiasts for time to come.
What’s most refreshing about McQueen’s performance is his careful detached approach to playing Bullitt. It would be so easy to overplay the unruliness that is intrinsic to the character of Bullitt, and McQueen doesn’t disappoint. His simple sincere delivery is complemented by the film’s overall style and ingenuity, during a period of superb filmmaking achievements.
If you haven’t seen Bullitt – go and rent/buy it, if you have, dust it off and enjoy the moody tunes and suave coolness that is McQueen.
Enjoy!
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Comment by JohnDoe
Film & TV on DVD
McQueen is my favourite Movie star of all time, 9a good actor too but a marvelous star)
You can read my review of Bullitt here if your interested.
I also did a salute to McQueen's legacy which can be found by clicking HERE