Car chases in film have become commonplace, especially in the action and thriller genres. They are now such a regular and anticipated feature, the film they are a part of is often judged somewhat by the quality of said chase. They can make or break a film and this is both because, and why, audiences and filmmakers alike put so much emphasis on them.
So what are the ingredients of a good chase? Is it fast, attractive cars; smooth, sexy drivers; a picturesque or danger-laden set; a technically and creatively adept crew? There are many staples of a successful car chase scene, but there are also more unconventional methods and ideas which have lent some car chase scenes that much needed sprinkle of ingenuity to make them stand out.
With a mix of old and new, classic and modern, thrilling and tense, here are my top 5 car chase scenes in cinematic history…
5. Ronin (1998)
Ronin is renowned for featuring some of the most accomplished car chase sequences in modern film. They are fast paced, with a heady mix of technical excellence and talented stuntwork – all amidst a glorious French backdrop.
For the chase scenes to look completely authentic, they were shot on location in Paris and Nice by director John Frankenheimer and involved hundreds of stunt-personnel and quite a few car wrecks.
There’s no surprise Ronin is held in such high regard when it comes to car chase sequences – by the time Ronin was released in 1998, Frankenheimer had already earned his place in car chase cinema heaven with Grand Prix (1966) and The French Connection (1975).
As well as the break-neck pace of Ronin’s car chases, it is the editing which really cements their status as some of the best ever. Whereas most filmmakers choose a particular style regarding shot-types to convey their thrills, in Ronin we are treated to everything all at once – from extreme close-ups of a gear stick being shifted, to a long shot of the cars swerving around the French streets.
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21 Comments
Can’t believe none of the Bourne Trilogy car chases (through Paris, Moscow and New York) are included…..
No Death Proof? No Bullitt???
No Elenor chase from Gone In 60 Seconds??
John Frankenheimer directed French Connection II, William Friedkin directed the first one.
You didn’t even get the right T2 chase down! The end chase, from the Cyberdyne building to the steel mill is much better.
You obviously have no taste in car chases. You’re missing the top 2 ever. Bullitt and Jack Reacher
I admit you have chosen some good car chases, but not the best of all time…
Where is Bad Boys II? Now THAT’S a car chase.
sh*t just got real…
What about the Road warrior??
Omitting Bullitt is a major, major mistake.
Where is the truck chase scene in Raiders of the Lost Ark? That chase scene trumps every chase mentioned in the article, even in the comments.
Where is the truck chase scene from Raiders of the Lost Ark? That chase trumps all the ones mentioned in this article, even in the comments.
the moment you read the comments, and most of them are complants !
The chase from the original Italian Job beats all of these.
I thought maybe it would be a list that doesn’t include the usual top chases frequently mentioned by fans, but then I see French Connection is on the list.
I’m sure it will be on another future list of car chase scenes :)
Many great scenes in history:
Bullitt
To Live and Die in L.A.
The 7 Up’s
Blues Brothers
The Road Warrior
Blues brothers, solid
I get that you were going for originality with Children of Men and Way of the Gun, but this list loses all credibility with the exclusion of Bullit. Two of the coolest cars ever made, one driven by one of the coolest men that ever lived, and actually driven by the actor because the stunt drivers just were t good enough. It practically set the standard for the modern car chase and no “greatest car chases” list is complete without it. I can only assume you omitted it because it’s in a class by itself?! I need answers! Lol!!!
You got The French Connection in there but it should be number 1. Other than that a farily decent list. The Bullit chase is overrated.
Blasphemy! Lol! But seriously, you know why Bullit’s car chase is superior? Because Steve McQueen drive the car-Gene Hackman didn’t. That elevates the cool factor and, as I said, it was the template for the modern car chase. It was like the Michael Jordan of car chases-yes, there were others before it, but everything since has tried to emulate it.
I’ve always thought one of the most interesting car chases I’ve ever seen was in Tony Scott’s “Déjà Vu.” Denzel Washington driving through New Orleans, trying not to lose visual contact through those past-vision goggles with a car that drove through four days ago? Really suspenseful and a unique premise.