Featured Audience Ratings

• Devon B

  
  If you were a kid in the 80s, you can rest assured your dad or grandad was parked in front of the tv on a sunday afternoon. Because if it wasn't football or baseball season, then right after wrestling, the local channel would air either one of the many classic John Wayne movies… More
  If you were a kid in the 80s, you can rest assured your dad or grandad was parked in front of the tv on a sunday afternoon. Because if it wasn't football or baseball season, then right after wrestling, the local channel would air either one of the many classic John Wayne movies or "Bullitt", starring Steve McQueen. It has that kind of reputation. But, and 'sssh, don't tell anybody' this has a lot more going for it than the average brain-dead Jason Statham movie. Granted, there isn't a whole lot to McQueen's character, but the movie that surrounds him is enthralling and clever. McQueen plays "Frank Bullitt", a San Francisco police lieutenant who is put in charge of protecting a mob informant. It's a job he doesn't particularly want, and he especially doesn't like the smell of the way things are set up. His suspicions are confirmed when the witness and the cop on duty are both shot up in the hide out location. Who did the shooting and how did they know where to find him? Bullitt has only 48 hours to solve the crime before Chalmers pins everything on him and makes him the fall guy. Steve McQueen personally hand-picked director Peter Yates after seeing another film Yates had done which featured an intense car chase. With Bullitt, the car chase is the centerpiece of the film. Set in the streets of San Francisco, it takes us through harrowing twists and turns and flying up and down hills. It's tense, fast and gritty. As intense as that car chase is, the rest of the film keeps up the pace, but the twists and turns come from following the plot. Bullitt isn't a complicated guy, but he knows that what he does and sees is disturbing to the average civilian.

• Sam B

  
  Steve McQueen is as attention-demanding and sauve as any James Bond, and Bullitt is a perfect showcase for the actor. With the famous car chase thats shows off the equally arresting camera work, the film has enough style and bravado to almost make up for the generic crime story.

• Alexander D

  
  Bullitt is a slick, stylish thriller. Supported by a jazz-fueled score composed by Lalo "Mission: Impossible" Schifrin, and immaculate concentration on cinematography, the film works with much suspense, forty-four years later. It's also made up of a unusually… More
  Bullitt is a slick, stylish thriller. Supported by a jazz-fueled score composed by Lalo "Mission: Impossible" Schifrin, and immaculate concentration on cinematography, the film works with much suspense, forty-four years later. It's also made up of a unusually intellectual foreground. We can admit to the ideal cop thriller having a certain style, but rarely is one realistic, let alone comprehensible. The screenplay, an adaptation of Mute Witness by Robert L. Fish (under the fictitious surname Pike), is so natural, we barely realize how commonly the story itself has appeared nowadays: a cop-Lieutenant Frank Bullitt (Steve McQueen)-is focused on protecting a witness with important information, when all of a sudden the witness is murdered and his scopes shift toward searching for the killer. And let's suppose Bullitt isn't an inspiration to the countless novels, short stories, television shows, films, etc. that exhibit similar plots. It still does pretty damn well at bringing more excitement each minute. The climactic scene is only forgettable under the attainment of Alzheimer's disease. Not until Casino Royale was produced almost four decades later did a chase scene even come within sight of the stupendously featured sequence here. You could argue that since Casino Royale's chase is a rather free running parkour all over Madagascar, and Bullitt's is a high-octane automobile dash through the streets of San Francisco, the two don't even belong in the same league. After a few of the film's more dramatic scenes, the ending is reached. Only then is the suspense brought to its more than satisfying pinnacle. Let's place it up among the "baptismal shootings" in The Godfather, the "awards ceremony" in Star Wars, and the "missing Shape" in Halloween, as one of the greatest endings ever made. The only ways in which this ending differs from those are that it's far more subdued, and-somehow!-filmmakers haven't mistaken it as a notion to produce followups or remakes. It's the kind of film film that requires just an egg timer to record how quickly its legacy will disappear with the production of such unnecessary continuations. before you watch the film, please read the rest at themoviefreakblog.com

• Jonathan H

  
  The car chase is as great as advertised (an absolutely stunning achievement), but that's really about it. Contrary to what I've read, the plot is rather pedestrian, if not slightly illogical, and some of the "emotional scenes" are unmitigated failures. It's… More
  The car chase is as great as advertised (an absolutely stunning achievement), but that's really about it. Contrary to what I've read, the plot is rather pedestrian, if not slightly illogical, and some of the "emotional scenes" are unmitigated failures. It's almost as if Yates spent all his energy mapping out the infamous car chase and neglected his directorial duties of molding his cast. Every character is one note without an ounce of depth. They want you to believe that Frank Bullitt is a cold, hardened man because of his job, and that the horribly conceived scene with his girlfriend revealing her fears about what is happening to his (and their) life is this greatly profound moment that binds all the thematic concerns together... I didn't buy any of it for a second. In the end, Bullitt passes as a decent action/cop film, but is nowhere near as profound as it wants to be.

• Kristijonas F

  
  Although the plot doesn't necessarily reinvent the genre, the pacing and acting is fluid and involving enough to perfectly compliment the absolutely mind-blowing car chase midway through the film. You will be gasping for air after that one concludes. And besides, it's great… More
  Although the plot doesn't necessarily reinvent the genre, the pacing and acting is fluid and involving enough to perfectly compliment the absolutely mind-blowing car chase midway through the film. You will be gasping for air after that one concludes. And besides, it's great to see Steve McQueen in action - an iconic actor in a classic film.

• Tsubaki S

  
  Everyone remembers the car chase because that's the only memorable thing from this movie. Average almost made-for-tv stuff.

• Universal D

  
  McQueen's mystique could be bound up in that he played a guy other men wanted to be and that women simply wanted. His character herein is that of a detective assigned to protect a mob informant, but the script, the plot, the direction, the photography, even the film itself, all… More
  McQueen's mystique could be bound up in that he played a guy other men wanted to be and that women simply wanted. His character herein is that of a detective assigned to protect a mob informant, but the script, the plot, the direction, the photography, even the film itself, all are secondary to the presence of the legend. He doesn't even draw his weapon until the film's nearly over, a comment on how persuasive his aura was to audiences: its not about the firepower. Only the jazz music score competes with Steve, and there's no music during the iconic car chase.

• Daniel P

  
  I was actually surprised at how much I liked this film. Friends had said "There's not much of a plot," and "Great car chase, not much else," but I found it to be an interesting companion to some of the bigger directors of the period. A lot of the visual and… More
  I was actually surprised at how much I liked this film. Friends had said "There's not much of a plot," and "Great car chase, not much else," but I found it to be an interesting companion to some of the bigger directors of the period. A lot of the visual and audio elements built a bit of a bridge from Kubrick to Coppola. The plot is all over the place, but San Francisco looks great and so does Jacqueline Bissett (meee-ow!)... and oh yeah, that is one hell of a car chase! Good cop movie: straight-ahead, tough-guy, action classic stuff. Better than Dirty Harry.

• Jim H

  
  A cop pursues killers and uncovers a conspiracy involving a witness he was charged to protect. For most of the film, this is a fairly basic procedural in the tradition of <i>The French Connection</i>, and it clearly influenced Michael Mann's <i>Heat</i>.… More
  A cop pursues killers and uncovers a conspiracy involving a witness he was charged to protect. For most of the film, this is a fairly basic procedural in the tradition of <i>The French Connection</i>, and it clearly influenced Michael Mann's <i>Heat</i>. But in the third act, Bullitt's girlfriend inexplicably shows up at a crime scene, and her incisive insights into Bullitt's character add a new dimension to the film. Though it's too late, once these character questions are added, <i>Bullitt</i> takes on a new dimension -- moral questions about a character who heretofore has been so stoic (in fact, one of the weaknesses of this film as a procedural is how little we get to know about Bullitt's thought processes; there's no Watson for Holmes to reveal his ideas to). Without the character dimension, the strong ending would have fallen flat. Steve McQueen is requisitely cool, but the best performance is by Robert Vaughn as the ambitious prosecutor who deliver stone-cold threats in such a tone and with such stillness that he could make anyone shit their pants -- anyone except Bullitt. Overall, though I liked how the film avoided cliches (Bullitt isn't a drunken fuck-up or a comic wise guy), it is far too late before we get to know Bullitt in an otherwise well-constructed procedural.

• Jeff "

  
  For me Bullitt is one of the best classic action films ever made. Steve McQueen has captured the essence of cool with this action thriller. Frank Bullitt (McQueen) must protect a key witness from the mob, but when the witness is fatally wounded by hired hit men, Bullitt is on the… More
  For me Bullitt is one of the best classic action films ever made. Steve McQueen has captured the essence of cool with this action thriller. Frank Bullitt (McQueen) must protect a key witness from the mob, but when the witness is fatally wounded by hired hit men, Bullitt is on the trail. I believe that this film is one of cinema's greatest action films, and is also one of the best performances by Steve McQueen. this film is really cool. Bullitt is famous for it's car chase, and it's of course the center piece of the film. McQueen is solid and this is one mean performance on his part. Along with Dirty Harry, the character of Frank Bullitt is one of cinema's most electrifying cops. Bullitt is a strong cinematic experience that delivers the thrills and the action. The car chase alone makes the film a necessary viewing. This film has everything you'd expect from a Steve McQueen film. I've seen a few of his films, and Bullitt is really the one along with The Great Escape that has stood out for me. A well crafted action thriller with crime fiction thrown in to make this film a memorable view. Bullitt is a must see for anyone who enjoys classic action films. One of my personal favorites by McQueen. A classic actioner that delivers and still looks awesome after it's initial release.

• Kase V

  
  I realize Bullitt is regarded as highly influential and well made (and I believe it is), but I felt a bit bored watching. An epic car chase is really the only thing that gets you excited, and man, is it epic. McQueen plays a cool suave policemen and pulls it off fine, with style. The… More
  I realize Bullitt is regarded as highly influential and well made (and I believe it is), but I felt a bit bored watching. An epic car chase is really the only thing that gets you excited, and man, is it epic. McQueen plays a cool suave policemen and pulls it off fine, with style. The on-foot chase at the end in the airport is pretty realistic and impressive, although not captivating. And that, is how the whole movie should be summarized. Well done, just not captivating enough.

• Spencer S

  
  Solid cop film. Steve McQueen borders between Lethal Weapon and The French Connection in this tale of intrigue and full on action. The car chase. already legendary, was thrilling to watch, and especially nail biting since McQueen mastered all of the stunt driving himself. Still,… More
  Solid cop film. Steve McQueen borders between Lethal Weapon and The French Connection in this tale of intrigue and full on action. The car chase. already legendary, was thrilling to watch, and especially nail biting since McQueen mastered all of the stunt driving himself. Still, something didn't quite click for me personally. There was just the right amount of violence, drama, and pause, but personally I believe it would have been less lacking if they included Duvall a bit more.

• AJ V

  
  A good modern detective movie with fantastic car chase scenes. I liked it, but there were a few boring scenes here and there. Overall it's good, though.

• Stella D

  
  much imitated making it hard to judge fairly i suppose. i had heard steve mcqueen had made one decent film and it's true lol. ultra jazzy lalo schifrin score kind of dates it for me

• Conner R

  
  To see this movie for the car chase is a defilement to how good it is. This is one of the most unique and human cop movies to ever exist, it constantly pulls at your emotions and values. Not only does it look flawless and have a great story, it does so in a way that makes it more than… More
  To see this movie for the car chase is a defilement to how good it is. This is one of the most unique and human cop movies to ever exist, it constantly pulls at your emotions and values. Not only does it look flawless and have a great story, it does so in a way that makes it more than just an action movie. Steve McQueen is a great cop who always gets the job done, but somehow itâ??s never enough for anyone. He is selfless and does things that only benefit someone else, one of the last true hero cops in a city of corruption. Bullit not only lives up to its reputation, it exceeds it.

• JY S

  
  Peter Yates' <i>Bullitt</i> is a crime thriller with some style.<p>The title can be misleading because Bullitt is not the trigger happy, shoot first, ask questions later kind of detective that he sounds like he is. The pacing for this 114 minute picture is… More
  Peter Yates' <i>Bullitt</i> is a crime thriller with some style.<p>The title can be misleading because Bullitt is not the trigger happy, shoot first, ask questions later kind of detective that he sounds like he is. The pacing for this 114 minute picture is quite slow, but it isn't a bore. The story manages to keep interest, despite some small drags, and the directing is a plus. Watching Bullitt unravel the crime is a treat.</p><p>There isn't a whole lot in the way of action, but the lone car chase is worthy of note. The dashboard and external camerawork is just fantastic and the sound of the roaring engines enhances these scenes even more. This shows that a sequence like this can look good without a ton of explosive crashes or extreme death defying acts. There is also the airport segment at the end which screams inspiration for Michael Mann's <i>Heat</i>.</p><p>Steve McQueen comes across as a bit bland, but he successfully brings confidence and professionalism to the Bullitt character. Robert Vaughn and the beautiful Jacqueline Bisset also supply decent supporting performances.</p><p>In the end, <i>Bullitt</i> doesn't hit hard and it doesn't have to. Check it out if time allows.</p>

• xGary X

  
  When the state's witness against the mob he is assigned to protect is assassinated, Lieutenant Frank Bullitt refuses to hand the investigation over to self serving politician Robert Vaughn. Despite his absurdly macho name, Frank Bullitt is not the trigger happy tough guy… More
  When the state's witness against the mob he is assigned to protect is assassinated, Lieutenant Frank Bullitt refuses to hand the investigation over to self serving politician Robert Vaughn. Despite his absurdly macho name, Frank Bullitt is not the trigger happy tough guy you'd expect; more the strong, silent type, Steve McQueen oozes charisma as one of the archetypal maverick cops that redefined the entire genre. Peter Yates' direction is as stoic and attentive to detail as Bullitt's investigation and the seminal car chase through the streets of San Francisco featuring McQueen's iconic green Ford Mustang has passed into legend. It is not without its flaws; although very nice to look at, Jacqueline Bissett's love interest is cliched and rather unnecessary and the film inexplicably reveals the plot twist to the audience ten minutes before McQueen discovers it, but as stylish cop thrillers go, this is pretty much timeless and worth it for Lalo Schifrin's superb score alone.

• Chris G

  
  The world wasn't quite sure about Steve McQueen before Bullitt. Sure, he was famous, a great actor and all that. But his best work was ensemble pictures (The Great Escape, The Magnificent Seven). Could he really carry a film on his own. There were a few good movies. Bullitt is… More
  The world wasn't quite sure about Steve McQueen before Bullitt. Sure, he was famous, a great actor and all that. But his best work was ensemble pictures (The Great Escape, The Magnificent Seven). Could he really carry a film on his own. There were a few good movies. Bullitt is the great movie that turned him from movie star to icon. Frank Bullitt (McQueen) has been plucked by a political wannabe (Robert Vaughn) to guard his witness. The problem is that the witness gets shot and killed under Bullitt's watch and now he wants to know who did it and why. That's the basic story. Simple, yet complicated as the film progresses. A little too complicated. I'm not going to lie, the script isn't that great. It's McQueen and that damn car chase that makes this movie so good. This is McQueen's defining role. Hell, we've got him selling new Mustangs on TV because of Bullitt. He was cool to begin with, but Bullitt made him uber-cool. And he sold a shitload of Mustangs with it. He maintains the movie and rises miles above a script that would be a bottom of the barrel affair with most other actors. McQueen fleshes out the film because he can. He creates something on screen that you can't put your finger on, but damn it, you know it's there. Of course there's the car chase. Often ripped off, but never duplicated mainly because of the kick ass cars doing the chase (Bullitt's Mustang and the bad guy's Charger). I can't forget the white Firebird (the Trans-Am wouldn't show up for another year)they pass three times and the green VW Bug they pass at least six times. Sure, there are continuity errors in the chase, but who cares. It's spectacular. Just like Ned Beatty's pig scene and the surprise in the Crying Game, you've all heard of the chase in Bullitt. That's the funny thing about Bullitt. It's such a horrible script when you think about it, but the McQueen factor raises it to classic status even above the stink of the writing. It's rare that an actor and director (Peter Yates) can elevate a movie beyond the anchor that is its script, but these two accomplish it with such a great movie that it's amazing. A true piece of late '60's film making that created the genre of the anti-hero cop that would later be defined by Eastwood and ripped off by everyone (including John Wayne himself). This is one of those true classic films.

• Anthony L

  
  Super stylish and effortlessly cool, this is my favourite McQueen film and a classic thriller.

• Tim S

  
  This film is one of those spectacle films where it gleems so much cool that you can't help but like it and forgive it's flaws. Steve McQueen is the cool and then you add that amazing/iconic car chase and you really don't need to wonder why the plot is so confusing and… More
  This film is one of those spectacle films where it gleems so much cool that you can't help but like it and forgive it's flaws. Steve McQueen is the cool and then you add that amazing/iconic car chase and you really don't need to wonder why the plot is so confusing and that Jacqueline Bisset is there really as a beautiful girlfriend and there is really nothing else to her. The reason to own this blu ray (thanks, Scott) is for the documentary on editing which is brilliant.

Read all 20 featured audience ratings