"Bullitt" might have been the film that set the standard for today's action pictures specially when it comes to wild and long chase sequences. It won an
Oscar for Best Editing thanks to its elaborated montage and how it was all put together. However, I don't find it much of an appealing and good film, and with two
views on different occasions I can honestly say I didn't get it.
The plot revolving a San Francisco detective (Steve McQueen) trying to protect an important criminal witness against an organization isn't any news, it's way too confusing and it's development is a disappointment of all sorts due to a ridiculous slow pace that bores viewers; a hero who is too stiff - I love McQueen in other movies but here I find him too much passive and easily dominated by the character played by Robert Vaughn; and sequences that run on for too long failing to generate interest.
As said, I watched twice and did not like it on both views. Besides the confusion at times during the investigation on course, in the end it's all too simplistic and doesn't end in a glorious tone. Silent and slow, "Bullitt" is the total opposite of the other film Bill Hickman appeared in as well which is "The French Connection", to me the film that defined the action genre as we know it. That movie had the rhythm, the perfect chase sequence, an elaborated plot and it was taken from an actual case. I know it's apples and oranges but it's a way better film than this one which left my head scratching in disbelief and in pain. It starts off well but through the majority of it I felt bored and tired of seeing how things would unfold.
Favorite sequences includes the shootout at the hotel then the whole hospital sequence with the wounded guys treated by the doctors - very realistic - and Bullitt following the killer on its corridors. As for the famous car chase sequence on the streets of San Francisco, a location rarely used on movies back then, I find it one of the most disengaging and overrated sequences of all time. There's not even a music score to give suspense to some of its brilliant shots with some nice stunts provided by McQueen himself.
On a final analysis I don't see much relevance for the movie even though I know it's an important classic that has its good share of fans and was imitated several times over the years. Not sure if I'll look forward to another view so soon but it's possible in some years later. Don't recommend. 4/10.
The plot revolving a San Francisco detective (Steve McQueen) trying to protect an important criminal witness against an organization isn't any news, it's way too confusing and it's development is a disappointment of all sorts due to a ridiculous slow pace that bores viewers; a hero who is too stiff - I love McQueen in other movies but here I find him too much passive and easily dominated by the character played by Robert Vaughn; and sequences that run on for too long failing to generate interest.
As said, I watched twice and did not like it on both views. Besides the confusion at times during the investigation on course, in the end it's all too simplistic and doesn't end in a glorious tone. Silent and slow, "Bullitt" is the total opposite of the other film Bill Hickman appeared in as well which is "The French Connection", to me the film that defined the action genre as we know it. That movie had the rhythm, the perfect chase sequence, an elaborated plot and it was taken from an actual case. I know it's apples and oranges but it's a way better film than this one which left my head scratching in disbelief and in pain. It starts off well but through the majority of it I felt bored and tired of seeing how things would unfold.
Favorite sequences includes the shootout at the hotel then the whole hospital sequence with the wounded guys treated by the doctors - very realistic - and Bullitt following the killer on its corridors. As for the famous car chase sequence on the streets of San Francisco, a location rarely used on movies back then, I find it one of the most disengaging and overrated sequences of all time. There's not even a music score to give suspense to some of its brilliant shots with some nice stunts provided by McQueen himself.
On a final analysis I don't see much relevance for the movie even though I know it's an important classic that has its good share of fans and was imitated several times over the years. Not sure if I'll look forward to another view so soon but it's possible in some years later. Don't recommend. 4/10.