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Bullitt (2 Disc Special Edition) [1968]


RRP: £8.99
Our Price: £8.78 (subject to change)

Combo of movie and documentaries makes for essential purchase
Review date: 2007-03-16 Rating: 8 out of 10

Time has hardly aged this gem from arguably the peak of Steve McQueen's career, and the special edition is a must have for the fantastic extras it brings with it.
While the plot is at times hard to follow, the style and cool that McQueen and director Yates bring to the movie makes it an eternal treat, regardless of how late 60's fashions have changed since.
From the moment we hear Lalo Schifrin's distinctive and oft copied jazzy score, we know we are in for something a little different to today's thrillers. For a start, there is not really very much action. There are really only 3 set piece action scenes - the 10 second slaying of the witness who is essentially the `maguffin' of the movie, and of course the famous car chase, and then the final chase and shootout on foot at an airport (copied, or at least homaged by, Michael Mann for his ending of `Heat'). What really makes the movie tick is the coolness and style. For large parts of the movie, events are very procedural, and yet McQueen's star presence makes the mundane absorbing. He was a man who famously knew how to work a camera.. if he could do without lines, he would let the camera do the same job with his face instead. He was generous in allowing other actors say all his lines, knowing the camera would be watching him - especially in this movie, in which he played a large part in bringing to the screen. Even watching him getting in and out of a car is an exercise in effortless cool.
Of course, it does not end there - the supporting cast are excellent, even Robert Vaughn shines as the slimy politician alternately looking for a fall-guy or a collaborator, depending on how things are going. The only note that seems discordant is the inclusion of the admittedly gorgeous Jacqueline Bisset, who seems included as prop rather than to bring the story along.
Modern and younger audiences may find the pace slow, but patience is well rewarded with a movie you can remember afterwards for many of its little moments.
What makes this DVD an essential buy rather than just a recommendation, is the superb second disc. When they say `the movie and more', they were not kidding. The movie gets a commentary, enough to do it credit without the filler material we see so often on special edition. The second disc however, has two 1 ½ hour documentaries, `Steve McQueen: The essence of Cool', and `The Cutting Edge: The magic of movie editing'.
Their relation to the movie is as at best tangential, and how much you enjoy these will depend on your depth of interest in moviemaking.
The first is a Ted Turner produced biography of McQueen's life in movies. Using his movies as a chronological guide through his life, we see a plethora of friends, family, directors and actors talk about their experiences with him, and their memories flesh out his origins and life as well as his career. In using the movies as a guide, we really see how his troubled personal life influenced his performance on screen and in the movie choices he made. Best contribution is probably from his first wife, but it is also a treat to see an elderly Robert Vaughn and Eli Wallach reminisce over their Magnificent 7 days.
Second is a fantastic documentary on movie editing. This is a thorough and revealing look at the art of editing and its impact on modern movies. We are presented with a history right from the first Lumiere pictures at the turn of the Century, through the various significant changes in movie editing through the years, documented by a large variety of Oscar winning editors and directors. First class introduction to a fascinating subject.
In short, a good movie recalling the high point of the career of a real Hollywood star, but made an essential purchase by not one but two fascinating documentaries.

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Reviews


Pure Magic
Review date: 2006-10-11 Rating: 10 out of 10

This film demonstrates to contemporary Hollywood just how to make a superb thriller without having an explosion every 5 minutes. You know its a classic from the opening shot. Lalo Schifrin's insistent theme kicks in over the credits and the rollercoaster ride starts.

McQueen is marvellous as a Frank Bullitt a no-nonsense, and somewhat rebellious detective who is having no truck with authority. Robert Vaughn, who I've always liked, but never really rated as an actor, is excellent here as Walter Charmers (who is anything but charming!). The scenes between him and McQueen are riveting. Theres the famous car chase of course, which is great, but watching it again recently, the thing that struck me was the completely realistic Hospital scenes. Its all very clinical if you'll excuse the pun.

On disc 1:
There is a commentary by the directory Peter Hyams and a trailer.

On Disc 2:
Documentary 1 'The Cutting Edge: The Magic Of Movie Editing' narrated by Kathy Bates
Documentary 2 'Steve McQueen: The Essence Of Cool' a film about McQueen.
3 'Bullitt: Steve McQueen's Commitment To Reality'.

Of the extras the commentary is probably the best bit, but the film itself is reason alone to buy these discs.



Good But Flawed
Review date: 2006-09-26 Rating: 8 out of 10

This is one of the classic films of the late 60's and early 70's. What can be wrong with a film that stars the iconic Steve McQueen and contains one of the top 5 car chases of all time?

Looking back you find that the film is basically a stock police thriller. You have the moody cop tasked with looking after a witness in an up and coming mob trial. Of course, the mob want him out of the way as he knows too much. You have the ambitious politician who's out only to improve his career, nothing else matters to him than the column inches he gets.

What lets the film down is the pace. At times its a little too pedestrian for its own good. I found myself eagerly awaiting the car chase and then having to force myself through the rest. There is a good twist in the story and, of course, the hero wins through.

Basically this is an average movie with a great car chase. Still for this price its well worth having in your collection.

Product Details/Specifications


Actor(s):
Robert Vaughn
Steve McQueen
Robert Duvall
Simon Oakland
Jacqueline Bisset

Creators:
Steve McQueen (Primary Contributor)
Robert Vaughn (Primary Contributor)

Director(s):

Recording label: Warner Home Video
Manufacturer: Warner Home Video
EAN: 7321905389261
Binding: DVD
Number of items: 2
Format: Box set, PAL, Special Edition,
Release date: 2006-08-07
Audience rating: Suitable for 15 years and over
Region code: 2
Running time: 109 minutes
Theatrical release date: 1968
Language: English (Original Language)

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