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.
Rebel Without a Cause
We all know 'Rebel Without a Cause' represents an era of Hollywood cinema that defined ideals of American masculinity. But the film about teenage angst and suburban households was less ambitious. It was billed as “Entertainment of unforgettable emotional impact!” and “A story that daringly meets the challenge of today’s most vital controversy!” without ever mentioning the controversy. It was a decent film and Dean’s first lead role. It was nominated for three Academy Awards.
'Rebel Without a Cause' (1955) was an unprecedented success. James Dean’s tragic car crash a month before the film was released surely secured the film’s box office command and placed it in the eternal vault of popular culture. In life and in death, everything he touched turned cool. To the point that Dean, playing Jim Stark, immortalized the 1949 Mercury Coupe in the halls of cool, despite the fact it was considered a middle-class family sedan prior to filming.
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.
Grand Prix
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.
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.