Bullitt DVD

Advantages: Acting is great, car scene is cool, filming is something special
Disadvantages: Don't let the important bits pass you by!

...the way I am… Bullitt is one such film. The advantages with living in a shared student house you see, is that you’ve got in effect, the combined resources of all the members of the household – CDs, books, and, of course, films. For those of you who know one of my housemates, Mark (yhwman), you may have already seen his review on Bullitt, but now it’s my turn. Let’s just say, I watched the film on DVD with him (admitted ...
...on the outside of my Bullitt case ‘Underground Epics’ – and that’s exactly what it is. Bullitt is something of a cult film by now, enjoyed by many, but heard of by few until they’ve actually watched it. It shaped many a film that followed it, and it’s interestingly different style was something that was mimicked in many an American film for decades afterwards. The most common thing that Bullitt is famed for is ... Read review

Advantages: All of it
Disadvantages: None

...mannered yet maverick cop, Frank Bullitt (Steve McQueen) is chosen by the ambitious Senator Walter Chalmers (Robert Vaughn – The Man From Uncle no less!) to guard a witness in a mob trial. Only this witness has incurred the wrath of ‘the organisation’ by stealing money from them whilst working for them. Yet after only a short while two men burst into the hotel room where they are hiding the witness… From here on the plot twists ...
...yet they seem to respect Bullitt enough to let him get on with it. The extras are also worth a mention, because in general – they are not actors. When filming on location in a hospital, they used real doctors and nurses for example! Now that’s realism for you! * The Music and the Chase * This really does deserve a mention. Lalo Schifrin’s hard edged Jazz soundtrack is stunning, sufficiently good for me to order the soundtrack! ... Read review

Advantages: Once unique, gritty realistic, crime thriller still dazzles.
Disadvantages: It's much more subtle than what today's audiences are used to.

Bullitt is a no-nonsense police procedural crime drama from 1968. It's a very 70's kind of film arriving to screens shortly after and probably because of Bonnie and Clyde. If you're familiar with films like Point Blank or the original Get Carter, you'll get that same kind of raw uncompromising tone from this film. Perhaps you've heard of the famous car chase through the streets of San Francisco… a car chase that isn't based on pyro-technics, explosions ...
...of him. But Frank Bullitt is just a cop doing his job. He's seen a little too much, and has a developed a thick skin. The plot is a little difficult to follow because it's presented almost entirely from Bullitt's perspective. Therefore some of the major plot points are not emphasized and might slide by you un-noticed if you aren't playing Detective along with Bullitt. And if you are… well there are clues that he misses so you will too. The film ... Read review

Advantages: see review
Disadvantages: see review

Bullitt is the perfect example of a 70s cop movie for a number of reasons. OK, so the plot is nothing special, basically Steve McQueen plays the title character of Bullit - a good but unorthodox cop whose task it is to protect a Mafia informant from hoodlums before the court case comes up. What is special about this movie though is the breathless chase scenes which are still yet to be bettered in any movie to have followed despite many trying to ...
...down the streets, hills and sidealleys of San Francisco, all screaming tyres, near misses and perfectly placed stacks of cardboard boxes - superb. All the chase scenes were filmed using handheld cameras, without technical trickery which lends an enormous sense of realism and urgency to the proceedings - none of this film for 5 seconds and then cut malarkey here, these are real perfectly choreographed scenes, pumped full of adrenaline and trust me, ... Read review

Advantages: THE VERY BEST CAR CHASE SEEN ON EARTH
Disadvantages: THE GREEN BEETLE

Bullitt is the film, the Mustang for me is the show, when you talk about Car Chase's theres only one that really stands out for me yes I Know about Ronin, The Italian Job, French Connection, Taxi ect, all had great in car moments but Steve Mcqueen in a Mustang 68'gt on the streets of San Francisco in the 60's chasing the baddies is for me complete and utter octane. Steve Mcqueen plays Frank Bullitt who is a detective protecting a witness for a seedy ...
...Duvall everything looks right. Bullitt did win an Oscar but sadly not for the Car chase action but for best Film Editing which brings me back to the Great Chase, if you have watched it i.e the chase scene as much as me (probably over 500 times and wearing out VHS's and DVD players) you will notice a green VW Beetle Steve passes several times. Now if that films won an Oscar for best Editing (the green VW beetle) surely theres been a mistake just look ... Read review

Advantages: Some classic moments, good acting
Disadvantages: Doesn't make the most of the format

...quite sick to be honest. Moving between gross behaviour, mock horror slapstick and just simply mocking horror you can’t help but at least smile at them even if you feel a bit guilty for doing so. Personally I find it really funny but the humour isn’t going to be to everyone’s taste. * DVD Extras * One thing that I really like about this DVD, is that one side is widescreen while another is normal TV width. This means when I finally get some cash and get a big old TV I can see this DVD in all it’s glory, whilst still getting a nice big picture on my computer. A very nice touch, one I’d like to see more often! For a while I was labouring under the impression that old films on DVD were going to be somewhat lacking in extras, however the great extras on Bullitt which was made in 1968 changed my mind. So now I... Read review

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Advantages:
Disadvantages:

...I don't understand how this film was not more successful... it combines a great cast, with good action and an intelligent plot. In fact the first half of the film rivals anything I've seen in a long time...okay the second half is a little weaker but still absorbing enough. So to the plot... Ronin were disgraced samurai's in Japans feudal laws... wandering the earth with no masters... okay there is a link. The film consists of a bunch of cold war rejects who have become mercenaries (sorry Ronin) and are hired together to steal a well guarded briefcase. The crew included Robert De Niro, Jean Reno and Sean Bean so this isn't exactly low budget. The plan goes wrong, as they often seem to, and all manner of double-crossing and such takes place... the action the highlights of which are two car chases that rival the mighty Bullitt... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful