Bullitt (1968)

The quintessential police action thriller and one that spawned many imitators. If you think about it, this was the first of a trilogy of gritty cop films set in San Francisco. The other two were Dirty Harry (1971) and The Laughing Policeman (1973). Magnum Force isn't included because it's a sequel.

Steve McQueen was perfect as the taciturn and determined Lt. Frank Bullitt who let nothing hinder him as he investigated the murder of a mob witness, only to find out the victim wasn't who he seemed. Real locations were used for the first time in a police drama and the climactic chase across the airport runways is right on a par with the now classic car chase.

It's only obvious weakness is Jacqueline Bisset's acting. Nice to look at, but there's nothing going on between her ears. Over all, top thriller, with very studied direction from Peter Yates. Unusual for the genre.

Tux - could you upload to Youtube the original 68 version of Schifrin's score that I sent you? My hard drive's currently too full to install any new video editing software.

As far as covers go, I love this:



A live performance/solo from Lalo:

Sharky wrote:

It's only obvious weakness is Jacqueline Bisset's acting. Nice to look at, but there's nothing going on between her ears. Over all, top thriller, with very studied direction from Peter Yates. Unusual for the genre.

Tux - could you upload to Youtube the original 68 version of Schifrin's score that I sent you? My hard drive's currently too full to install any new video editing software.

Upload to where?

The White Tuxedo wrote:

Sharky wrote:

It's only obvious weakness is Jacqueline Bisset's acting. Nice to look at, but there's nothing going on between her ears. Over all, top thriller, with very studied direction from Peter Yates. Unusual for the genre.

Tux - could you upload to Youtube the original 68 version of Schifrin's score that I sent you? My hard drive's currently too full to install any new video editing software.

Upload to where?

Take your sunglasses off.

To share with the rest of the world. :)

I'm not uploading the whole soundtrack. I uploaded three tracks, but I'm open to more suggestions.

Sharky wrote:

It's only obvious weakness is Jacqueline Bisset's acting. Nice to look at, but there's nothing going on between her ears. Over all, top thriller, with very studied direction from Peter Yates. Unusual for the genre.

I think she was merely there as eye candy although her most important scene of the whole movie was when she berated Bullitt for the sort of job he had. "You're living in a sewer, Frank."

I actually ripped the opening theme tune to Bullitt from my DVD to my laptop, but unfortunately, the sound doesn't work on it anymore. :(

Steve McQueen became a superstar pin-up after the film got released because never before had audiences seen such a cool big screen detective. He wore a navy blue polo neck, a trendy brown sports jacket with leather elbow patches and suede shoes. He drove a green Ford Mustang and carried a Colt Diamondback revolver although in keeping with the realism of the movie, he only used it once. The airport finale was also paid homage to in the 1995 DeNiro/Pacino actioner Heat.

Here is a trailer I made for the film, based on an advert I saw back in '86.

BTW thanks for those 3 tracks. Didn't think they would be available in any shape or form. It's refreshing to hear the original '68 cues. Cheers.

I wonder if you also have the music played when Bullitt stalks Ross at the airport (just before he shoots him).

Cheers Tux.

JohnDrake wrote:

I wonder if you also have the music played when Bullitt stalks Ross at the airport (just before he shoots him).

I think that's Ross and Airport Terminal -Main Lobby.Nice Hammond organ clusters, flute and double bass glissandi and a weird glissando effect on toms, that you get by breathing air into them while playing.

I also always On The Way To San Mateo. Quiet opening, and then kicks off with a beatnik jazz variation on the main theme when McQueen hits the road. Schifrin was great at these introspective little cues

There's a lot of goofy shit on the soundtrack, too.

I like the opening of "Quiet Morning" a lot. I echo sharky on "On the Way to San Mateo". "The First Snowfall" is amusing. As is "The Aftermath of Love", which sounds like something off of Antonio Carlos Jobim's "Wave" album.

For you, JohnDrake.



On second thought, as this score is pretty much unavailable, I may upload the whole thing. I'll take the existing ones down soon and replace the pic as it's from a different soundtrack release. I may use that pic above.

Again, many thanks for that, Tuxedo. I have wanted to listen to this for ages. Cheers. :D

A good pic you can use is of the cover of the 2005 special edition DVD. That would be fitting as you have the tracks as they were exactly in the movie. :)

BTW lovely pic of Jackie there.

https://www.youtube.com/view_play_list?p=814103438DC41F29

The White Tuxedo wrote:

https://www.youtube.com/view_play_list?p=814103438DC41F29

You've done a great service for Youtube. I'm proud of you.

Though, you might need to put in a counter-anti-copyright confession here. Like -

'I DO NOT OWN ANYTHING
I DO NOT OWN ANY OF THE MUSIC
I DO NOT OWN ANY OF THE PICTURES'

Only then will the Viacom Mafia spare you.

Basically just type I DON'T OWN THIS MUSIC in all of the info bars?

EDIT: I put that in all of them.

I hate to detract from the discussion I remember that my viewings of it were originally about the car chase but swiftly progressed to an appreciation of the film in general. Good music, locations, plot and acting -some special mention to Simon Oakland. I embarrassed myself (not a great task really) two years ago by saying to Robert Vaughan at a signing that I quite liked him in Bullitt particularly his moment with McQueen at the airport culminating in McQueen's "Bullshit!" to Chalmers.

How did he reply to it? I'll bet he gave a customary smile.

I think Bullitt was meant to take Vaughn to bigger and better things in Hollywood, but he remained a supporting player, even teaming up with McQueen once again in The Towering Inferno, although arguably his best role in the '70s was in Demon Seed as the sinister computer that stalks Julie Christie.

Like yourself, I only watched Bullitt for the car chase, but the airport chase did it for me too. It's only in 2000 when it was on TV and 2001 when I bought the video that I realized it was a clever, gripping thriller that had an interesting plot, realistic scenes and a truly iconic turn from its star.

JohnDrake wrote:

How did he reply to it? I'll bet he gave a customary smile.

I think Bullitt was meant to take Vaughn to bigger and better things in Hollywood, but he remained a supporting player, even teaming up with McQueen once again in The Towering Inferno, although arguably his best role in the '70s was in Demon Seed as the sinister computer that stalks Julie Christie.

Like yourself, I only watched Bullitt for the car chase, but the airport chase did it for me too. It's only in 2000 when it was on TV and 2001 when I bought the video that I realized it was a clever, gripping thriller that had an interesting plot, realistic scenes and a truly iconic turn from its star.

He also was with McQueen pre-Bullitt in the Magnificent Seven (indeed, the last surviving member of the 7)

he smiled, yes. Then again he had just come over from an earlier signing at Waterstone's which I missed and hurried across to this film shop out beyond St Martin-in-the-Fields. Anyway, he turned up in the Mustang got mobbed by people on his way in but was quite polite. He personally signed his book for me so I was content. Him and George Lazenby I've likely made an arse of myself ...in front of.

Anyway, I quite like the airport chase too -quite good without music with the roaring of the 707's providing something to it. If anything that moment where he makes his move to capture Ross[sic] and ends up shooting him is my favourite moment. Little funny hearing people in the background: "He just shot him!" "Must be a cop!"

Hilly wrote:

JohnDrake wrote:

How did he reply to it? I'll bet he gave a customary smile.

I think Bullitt was meant to take Vaughn to bigger and better things in Hollywood, but he remained a supporting player, even teaming up with McQueen once again in The Towering Inferno, although arguably his best role in the '70s was in Demon Seed as the sinister computer that stalks Julie Christie.

Like yourself, I only watched Bullitt for the car chase, but the airport chase did it for me too. It's only in 2000 when it was on TV and 2001 when I bought the video that I realized it was a clever, gripping thriller that had an interesting plot, realistic scenes and a truly iconic turn from its star.

He also was with McQueen pre-Bullitt in the Magnificent Seven (indeed, the last surviving member of the 7).

The one nobody remembers is Brad Dexter. Remember that for your next pub quiz.

Sharky wrote:

Hilly wrote:

JohnDrake wrote:

How did he reply to it? I'll bet he gave a customary smile.

I think Bullitt was meant to take Vaughn to bigger and better things in Hollywood, but he remained a supporting player, even teaming up with McQueen once again in The Towering Inferno, although arguably his best role in the '70s was in Demon Seed as the sinister computer that stalks Julie Christie.

Like yourself, I only watched Bullitt for the car chase, but the airport chase did it for me too. It's only in 2000 when it was on TV and 2001 when I bought the video that I realized it was a clever, gripping thriller that had an interesting plot, realistic scenes and a truly iconic turn from its star.

He also was with McQueen pre-Bullitt in the Magnificent Seven (indeed, the last surviving member of the 7).

The one nobody remembers is Brad Dexter. Remember that for your next pub quiz.

I've been asked a few times to name them all, and I always start with Brad Dexter. That gets 'em! Seriously, you don't even have name the others IMHO if you just say "Brad Dexter".

I always forget Brad Dexter.

I love this movie. McQueen and Vaughn are excellent, Miss Bisset is indeed a babe. The score is classic Schifrin and the car chase is iconic.





Honestly, what's not to love?

Chigawa wrote:

Honestly, what's not to love?

Jacqueline Bissets acting. Seriously. I guess Julie Christie and Susannah York weren't available.

Perhaps, I wouldn't kick her out of bed though. Even if I was Steve McQueen. Luckily she doesn't have too many lines.

She should have been dubbed, esp for the 'you're in a sewer Frank! scene. Bad writing there too.

Nice goods. Shame about the vacant room upstairs.