The Best Car Chase Ever at DVinfo.net

Hugh DiMauro · June 23rd, 2003, 03:29 PM

Everybody has opinions. So here's mine: I have watched and scrutinized Bullitt, The French Connection and The Seven Ups so many times I've lost count. Bill Hickman, the stunt driver/coordinator for all three films also plays roles in all three films. Obviously, his screen characters drive cars as well and he's easily identifiable: He looks like a badass. He played the assassin in Bullitt, FBI Agent Mulderig in the French Connection and the kidnapper in The Seven Ups. I've concluded that the best chase in all three movies takes place in the Seven Ups. The speeds attained on those New York City streets was the real deal. You can tell, the cameraman did not undercrank. Also, it took Hickman incredible guts to drive a full sized black Oldsmobile 4-door as fast as he did. If you look at the rocker panels of the 4 door Olds and two door Pontiac Apollo (driven by Roy Scheider's character), you can see they somehow beefed up the undercarriage with two cross braces. Truly scrutinize the three chases and you will see that the Seven Ups is truly the best chase. Also, if you dare to compare, the Bullitt and Seven Ups chases are almost identical! I'm interested in quality feedback on my opinion. Thanks!

Philip Boyer · June 23rd, 2003, 04:04 PM

The way the chase in The Seven-Ups ended jolted me out of my seat.

Ken Tanaka · June 23rd, 2003, 04:40 PM

It would be hard to take issue with that choice. My personal favorite, however, remains The French Connection. It was unique (car chasing an el train) and shot/cut in such a way that it kept me from blinking for many viewings.

Robert Knecht Schmidt · June 23rd, 2003, 05:09 PM

We did this thread last month. (To the day, in fact.)

Valerie Shields · June 23rd, 2003, 08:14 PM

Hugh
Your attention to detail is so on! I'll have to watch those movies again and pay attention better.

Gary Chavez · June 24th, 2003, 07:26 AM

to live and die in LA. looks at speed to me anyways.

Dylan Couper · June 29th, 2003, 04:04 PM

Uh... helloo.... VANISHING POINT....

Hugh DiMauro · June 30th, 2003, 07:29 AM

Has anybody seen that Peter Yates movie, Robbery, shot in England in the 1960s? Allegedly, he was hand picked by McQueen to direct Bullitt because of his finesse with the car chase in The Robbery. I haven't seen The Robbery but would rent it on recommendation from somebody here.

Gary Chavez · June 30th, 2003, 09:46 AM

Vanishing Point just had the best car ever used in a chase!
Mopar forever!

Hugh DiMauro · June 30th, 2003, 10:00 AM

Well, really, the only good thing about Mopar is their police packages from the 1960s through 1973. Otherwise, Fords in the movies rule.

Dylan Couper · June 30th, 2003, 11:44 PM

<<<-- Originally posted by Hugh DiMauro : Well, really, the only good thing about Mopar is their police packages from the 1960s through 1973. Otherwise, Fords in the movies rule. -->>>

WHAAAT???? WHY I'LL KI.... Oh, you said "in the movies", heh heh, my mistake. A ficticious hollywood world is the only place Ford's rule... :)

Say Hemi....
Come on...
SAY IT!!!

Hugh DiMauro · July 1st, 2003, 06:03 AM

Don't tell me you can't remember how cool the Ford Fairlanes looked in the 1960s TV series The FBI or the original Dragnet. How about the 1972 Galaxie 500 driven by Burt Reynolds in White Lightning? A damned 4-door police package with a four speed on the floor (although they used two or three Galaxies in that movie and you can catch the flubs where in one scene it's a floor shifter and in the very next shot its an automatic). Anyhow, when I mouth the words "Hemi" the only thing that comes out is "Hemi-roid". But, in all fairness, the Plymouth Fury in the early 70s did rock. And yes, the PLymouths and Dodges used in Walking Tall looked great. So, I will say that Mopar is a close second to Ford, especially in the movies. I just think the Fords are more "filmic".

Chris Hurd · July 1st, 2003, 07:01 AM

As an off-topic point of nostalgia, I learned how to drive in a two-door '64 Ford Fairlane Custom 500, with all the rare options such as seat belts and back-up lights. 289 V8. Now that was a great car!

K. Forman · July 1st, 2003, 07:09 AM

Those hemis are great for street racing, eh Dylan? hehehe

By the way... how are things going down here for you? We did warn you :)

Gary Chavez · July 1st, 2003, 07:28 AM

the closet i ever got to a Hemi was my 73 charger with a 383! close enuff for a young 17 year old back in 1980. now, to my shame i have one 318 and 2 /6s. one day there will be big block mopar in my garage again!

June 23rd, 2003, 03:29 PM	#1
Hugh DiMauro Trustee Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Central Florida Posts: 1,205	The Best Car Chase Ever Everybody has opinions. So here's mine: I have watched and scrutinized Bullitt, The French Connection and The Seven Ups so many times I've lost count. Bill Hickman, the stunt driver/coordinator for all three films also plays roles in all three films. Obviously, his screen characters drive cars as well and he's easily identifiable: He looks like a badass. He played the assassin in Bullitt, FBI Agent Mulderig in the French Connection and the kidnapper in The Seven Ups. I've concluded that the best chase in all three movies takes place in the Seven Ups. The speeds attained on those New York City streets was the real deal. You can tell, the cameraman did not undercrank. Also, it took Hickman incredible guts to drive a full sized black Oldsmobile 4-door as fast as he did. If you look at the rocker panels of the 4 door Olds and two door Pontiac Apollo (driven by Roy Scheider's character), you can see they somehow beefed up the undercarriage with two cross braces. Truly scrutinize the three chases and you will see that the Seven Ups is truly the best chase. Also, if you dare to compare, the Bullitt and Seven Ups chases are almost identical! I'm interested in quality feedback on my opinion. Thanks!

June 23rd, 2003, 04:04 PM	#2
Philip Boyer Regular Crew Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Carrollton, Texas Posts: 141	The way the chase in The Seven-Ups ended jolted me out of my seat. __________________ Philip Boyer

June 23rd, 2003, 04:40 PM	#3
Ken Tanaka Retired DV Info Net Almunus Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 6,943	It would be hard to take issue with that choice. My personal favorite, however, remains The French Connection. It was unique (car chasing an el train) and shot/cut in such a way that it kept me from blinking for many viewings. __________________ Lady X Films: A lady with a boring wardrobe...and a global mission. Hey, you don't have enough stuff! Buy with confidence from our sponsors. Hand-picked as the best in the business...Really! See some of my work one frame at a time: www.KenTanaka.com

June 23rd, 2003, 05:09 PM	#4
Robert Knecht Schmidt Wrangler Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Cleveland, Ohio Posts: 1,933	We did this thread last month. (To the day, in fact.) __________________ All the best, Robert K S Search DVinfo.net for quick answers \| The best in the business: DVinfo.net sponsors

June 23rd, 2003, 08:14 PM	#5
Valerie Shields Tourist Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: BEL AIR MD Posts: 3	Chase Scenes Hugh Your attention to detail is so on! I'll have to watch those movies again and pay attention better.

June 24th, 2003, 07:26 AM	#6
Gary Chavez Major Player Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: San Antonio Posts: 355	to live and die in LA. looks at speed to me anyways.

June 29th, 2003, 04:04 PM	#7
Dylan Couper Wrangler Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Vancouver, British Columbia Posts: 8,314	Uh... helloo.... VANISHING POINT.... __________________ Need to rent camera gear in Vancouver BC? Check me out at camerarentalsvancouver.com

June 30th, 2003, 07:29 AM	#8
Hugh DiMauro Trustee Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Central Florida Posts: 1,205	Chases Has anybody seen that Peter Yates movie, Robbery, shot in England in the 1960s? Allegedly, he was hand picked by McQueen to direct Bullitt because of his finesse with the car chase in The Robbery. I haven't seen The Robbery but would rent it on recommendation from somebody here.

June 30th, 2003, 09:46 AM	#9
Gary Chavez Major Player Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: San Antonio Posts: 355	Vanishing Point just had the best car ever used in a chase! Mopar forever!

June 30th, 2003, 10:00 AM	#10
Hugh DiMauro Trustee Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Central Florida Posts: 1,205	Vanishing Point Well, really, the only good thing about Mopar is their police packages from the 1960s through 1973. Otherwise, Fords in the movies rule.

June 30th, 2003, 11:44 PM	#11
Dylan Couper Wrangler Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Vancouver, British Columbia Posts: 8,314	Re: Vanishing Point <<<-- Originally posted by Hugh DiMauro : Well, really, the only good thing about Mopar is their police packages from the 1960s through 1973. Otherwise, Fords in the movies rule. -->>> WHAAAT???? WHY I'LL KI.... Oh, you said "in the movies", heh heh, my mistake. A ficticious hollywood world is the only place Ford's rule... :) Say Hemi.... Come on... SAY IT!!! __________________ Need to rent camera gear in Vancouver BC? Check me out at camerarentalsvancouver.com

July 1st, 2003, 06:03 AM	#12
Hugh DiMauro Trustee Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Central Florida Posts: 1,205	Don't tell me you can't remember how cool the Ford Fairlanes looked in the 1960s TV series The FBI or the original Dragnet. How about the 1972 Galaxie 500 driven by Burt Reynolds in White Lightning? A damned 4-door police package with a four speed on the floor (although they used two or three Galaxies in that movie and you can catch the flubs where in one scene it's a floor shifter and in the very next shot its an automatic). Anyhow, when I mouth the words "Hemi" the only thing that comes out is "Hemi-roid". But, in all fairness, the Plymouth Fury in the early 70s did rock. And yes, the PLymouths and Dodges used in Walking Tall looked great. So, I will say that Mopar is a close second to Ford, especially in the movies. I just think the Fords are more "filmic".

July 1st, 2003, 07:01 AM	#13
Chris Hurd Obstreperous Rex Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: San Marcos, TX Posts: 27,366 Images: 513	As an off-topic point of nostalgia, I learned how to drive in a two-door '64 Ford Fairlane Custom 500, with all the rare options such as seat belts and back-up lights. 289 V8. Now that was a great car! __________________ CH Search DV Info Net \| 20 years of DVi \| ...Tuesday is Soylent Green Day!

July 1st, 2003, 07:09 AM	#14
K. Forman Capt. Quirk Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Middle of the woods in Georgia Posts: 3,596	Those hemis are great for street racing, eh Dylan? hehehe By the way... how are things going down here for you? We did warn you :)

July 1st, 2003, 07:28 AM	#15
Gary Chavez Major Player Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: San Antonio Posts: 355	the closet i ever got to a Hemi was my 73 charger with a 383! close enuff for a young 17 year old back in 1980. now, to my shame i have one 318 and 2 /6s. one day there will be big block mopar in my garage again!