In 1966, MGM and director John Frankenheimer did everything possible to make ‘Grand Prix’ authentic to Formula One racing. In the backroom, the film’s technical adviser was none other than legendary Le Mans racer and car maker Carroll Shelby. The final product won three Oscars for technical, sound, and visual excellence.
Making the film was director Frankenheimer’s dream project. In 1969 he told Motor Sport Magazine, “To be able to indulge your fantasies with ten-and-a-half million dollars is, I think, marvelous.” Star power drove the film’s success. Hollywood heavy-weights James Garner, Yves Montand, Brian Bedford, and Antonio Sabato starred. A savvy film crew optimized 1960s filming technologies. They used helicopters to angle-in on race scenes and utilized multiple screens to produce amazing shots of the action. The fun kicks off once American driver Pete Aron gets launched off the Monaco Formula One course into the Mediterranean. Splash! The near-fatal crash doesn’t stop this racer from contending for the title.
Bullitt
'Bullitt' was billed with its chase scene, rightfully so. It’s one of the most famous car chases that has ever hit the silver screen. The trailer screeches and squeals through the recognizable hilly avenues of San Francisco. It’s a classic film that was released in 1968. Frank Bullitt, a tough-as-nails S.F. police detective played by Steve McQueen, the embodiment of ’60s-era cool, goes after mobsters in the city.
He drives the famous green ’68 Mustang Fastback, like a madman. 'Bullitt' also stars Robert Vaughn, Jacqueline Bisset, and Don Gordon. Robert Duvall makes an appearance as a cabbie. The action-thriller was directed by Peter Yates. The appeal of Bullitt lives on. Just recently, the dark green ’68 Mustang from the film sold for $3.74 million at auction.
Thelma and Louise
Not many car movies star two women behind the wheel. Perhaps that’s why 'Thelma and Louise' is such an iconic road trip movie. Geena Davis and Susan Sarandon are Thelma and Louise. The women plan a weekend getaway to escape boyfriend problems. To that end, they hop into Louise’s ’66 Ford Thunderbird and unwittingly become outlaws as they wind their way through the vast entrails of the country’s landscape from Oklahoma to Colorado. A cop is on their tail, and he chases them all the way to the Grand Canyon.
'Thelma and Louise' won an Oscar for Best Original Screenplay. Incidentally, this movie was Brad Pitt’s breakout film for which he was paid a paltry $6,000.
The Bourne Identity
Even though this is not exactly a car movie, 'The Bourne' saga definitely features some incredible car chases. And it all started with the first movie, 'The Bourne Identity' (2002). The film features a young Matt Damon speeding in a beautiful old school Mini Cooper as he engages in a thrilling car chase through the streets of Paris.
The chase, which pays tribute to the legendary car chase scene in 1969's 'The Italian Job', has Jason Bourne (Damon) and his girlfriend Marie (Franka Potente) in a tiny car driving up street sidewalks, down stairs, head-on into street traffic, and more. Definitely one of the most thrilling car chases ever filmed.
Gone in 60 Seconds
Eleanor, a custom ’71 Sportsroof Mustang, stars in 'Gone in 60 Seconds'. She’s the only Ford Mustang to ever receive a star title in a movie. Stars Marion Busia, Jerry Daugirda, James McIntryre, and George Cole also share the cast list. Filmmaker, actor, and stuntman H.B. Halicky wrote and directed the film. He was very involved. He filled in to do stunts no one else dared to. Sadly, he was killed when the most dramatic stunt in 'Gone in 60 Seconds 2' (1989) went terribly wrong.
Plenty of other cars co-star, and they all have names, just like in 'Cars'. The movie is about a band of thieves who must steal 48 cars within a strict deadline set by a ruthless South American drug lord. The famous 'Gone in 60 Seconds' chase scene destroyed a record number of cars. In 36 minutes, a total of ninety-three cars were destroyed. By the end of the film, 127 cars were demolished. The seminal chase scene is considered the best in the business, created by actual filming, not CGI.