07-09-07 Bullitt (1968)

Seen: September 4th, 2007
Format: DVD
Rating: 7

Watching films from the 60s and 70s can be a lot of fun. If nothing else, the argot and fashions of the time are worth a good snicker. The writing and acting are often cliche and cheesy, as if melodrama could actually pass for drama.

Bullitt has none of these problems.

I don't know how I missed this when I started watching 70s driving movies. It's got a great chase scene, one one the earliest I'm aware of shot on the streets of San Francisco. The jumps alone have been echoed through dozens of films and TV shows.

The plot itself is pretty interesting as well. The political nature of the conflicts inside the justice system are interesting and fresh. This isn't simply a case of corruption. It's a commentary on ego and ambition and how it ultimately affects due process,and by association, public safety.

The characters here are generally strong. McQueen is understated and outstanding. It amazes me how much he does with his character. There's a quiet strength and attention to detail that's very impressive. And he conveys all this with a minimum of dialogue, showing us who Bullitt is instead of tryingto have him tell us.

Robert Vaughn is excellent as well, and evidently had to be convinced to take the part. His a solid foil for Bullitt, not because he's bad, but simply because his mores are so stilted by comparison. The rest of the cast is generally solid as well, though the supporting characters tend to be used primarily to construct the framework for the plot, and are generally much less fleshed out. The exception to this may be the assassins, whom I found rather frightening.

The plot is engaging. It's not the simple gangland confessional it appears on the surface. I found myself drawn in as the film progressed for that reason. Unexpected things happen here. It's almost a bait and switch maneuver, one that's actually appreciated. It's not too convoluted to follow casually, but it does make you wonder where it's going.

There's some interesting camera work in the film. There are shots both long and short that divert your attention to focus that action somewhere else. The action and chase scenes are well shot also, with interesting cuts and angles the highlight the action itself. It's become a common technique, but seems original in a film of this vintage.

The score should be noted as well. Schifrin does a stellar job here. The music drives and accentuate the film without ever becoming too obvious or melodramatic. The absence of music is often as telling as it's presence, with many scenes left unadorned.

While a bit date, Bullitt is an excellent specimen of the genre and deserves a look.

The Good: Chic crime caper
The Bad: A bit dated
The Ugly: Garrotes