# Bullitt

> 1968 film by Peter Yates

**Wikidata**: [Q261209](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q261209)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bullitt)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/bullitt

## Summary
Bullitt is a 1968 American crime thriller film directed by Peter Yates, starring Steve McQueen as a San Francisco police detective. The film is renowned for its groundbreaking car chase sequence through the streets of San Francisco.

## Key Facts
- Directed by Peter Yates and released in 1968
- Stars Steve McQueen as Lieutenant Frank Bullitt
- Features a legendary 10-minute car chase scene through San Francisco
- Nominated for one Academy Award, winning Best Film Editing
- Preserved in the United States National Film Registry by the Library of Congress
- Produced by Warner Bros.-Seven Arts
- Budget of $4 million with box office gross of $42.3 million
- Runtime of 113 minutes
- Genre classifications include crime film, action film, police film, and detective film
- IMDb ID: tt0062765
- Rotten Tomatoes rating: 98% (as of source data)
- Metacritic score: 81/100

## FAQs
**What is Bullitt about?**
Bullitt follows San Francisco Police Lieutenant Frank Bullitt as he investigates the murder of a witness under his protection, uncovering a web of corruption that leads to a dangerous confrontation with organized crime.

**Why is the car chase in Bullitt so famous?**
The car chase in Bullitt is considered one of the greatest in film history due to its realistic, documentary-style filming, absence of music (using only engine sounds), and innovative camera work that put viewers inside the speeding vehicles as they raced through San Francisco's hilly streets.

**What awards did Bullitt receive?**
Bullitt won the Academy Award for Best Film Editing and was nominated for Best Sound. It has since been recognized by the American Film Institute and preserved in the National Film Registry for its cultural significance.

**Who were the main cast members?**
The film stars Steve McQueen as Lieutenant Frank Bullitt, with Robert Vaughn as Walter Chalmers, Jacqueline Bisset as Cathy, Don Gordon as Delgetti, and Robert Duvall in a supporting role.

## Why It Matters
Bullitt matters as a landmark film that redefined the police thriller genre and set new standards for action filmmaking. Its innovative car chase sequence influenced countless subsequent films and established Steve McQueen as the definitive action star of his era. The film's realistic portrayal of police work, combined with its stylish cinematography and editing, created a template for the modern crime thriller. Its preservation in the National Film Registry recognizes its enduring cultural and historical significance in American cinema.

## Notable For
- Revolutionary car chase sequence that influenced decades of action filmmaking
- Steve McQueen's iconic performance establishing him as a major action star
- Winning the Academy Award for Best Film Editing
- Being preserved in the United States National Film Registry
- Realistic portrayal of San Francisco police work
- Groundbreaking sound design using only engine noise during the chase
- Establishing the template for the modern police thriller genre
- Featuring one of cinema's most memorable car chases in a Ford Mustang vs. Dodge Charger
- High critical acclaim with 98% Rotten Tomatoes rating
- Significant box office success relative to its modest $4 million budget

## Body

### Production and Release
Bullitt was produced by Warner Bros.-Seven Arts with a budget of $4 million. The film was released on October 17, 1968, in the United States, with subsequent releases in various countries throughout late 1968 and early 1969. Principal photography took place in San Francisco, with the famous car chase sequence filmed on the city's actual streets rather than on a closed set or backlot.

### The Famous Car Chase
The 10-minute car chase sequence through San Francisco is the film's most celebrated element. Filmed over several days, it features Steve McQueen himself performing many of the driving stunts in a Highland Green 1968 Ford Mustang GT fastback, pursuing hitmen in a black 1968 Dodge Charger R/T 440 Magnum. The sequence was revolutionary for its time, using innovative camera mounting techniques and editing to create unprecedented realism and excitement. Director Peter Yates chose to use only the natural sounds of the engines and tires rather than musical score, creating a visceral, documentary-like experience.

### Critical Reception and Legacy
Upon release, Bullitt received positive reviews from critics who praised its realistic approach to police work and innovative action sequences. The film won the Academy Award for Best Film Editing, recognizing the groundbreaking work of editors Frank P. Keller and Fredric Steinkamp. Over time, Bullitt has been recognized by the American Film Institute as one of the greatest American films, and it was selected for preservation in the United States National Film Registry in 2007 for being "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant."

### Cast and Characters
Steve McQueen stars as Lieutenant Frank Bullitt, a tough, no-nonsense San Francisco police detective. The supporting cast includes Robert Vaughn as the politically ambitious Walter Chalmers, Jacqueline Bisset as Cathy, Bullitt's girlfriend, and Don Gordon as Delgetti, Bullitt's partner. Robert Duvall appears in a small but memorable role as a cab driver. The casting of these actors, particularly McQueen in the lead role, contributed significantly to the film's success and enduring appeal.

### Technical Specifications
The film has a runtime of 113 minutes and was shot in color using Panavision cameras. The cinematography by William A. Fraker captured the distinctive look of San Francisco, with its steep hills and urban landscape becoming almost a character in itself. The editing, which won the Academy Award, was particularly noted for the seamless integration of the complex car chase sequence.

### Genre Classification
Bullitt is classified under multiple genre categories including crime film, action film, police film, and detective film. This multi-genre classification reflects the film's blend of elements from different cinematic traditions, combining the procedural aspects of police dramas with the excitement of action thrillers and the mystery elements of detective stories.

### Cultural Impact
The film had a significant impact on popular culture, particularly in establishing the modern police thriller template. The Mustang used in the film became an icon of American automotive culture, with the specific model used in the chase becoming one of the most sought-after movie cars. The film's influence can be seen in countless subsequent action and crime films that attempted to replicate its realistic approach to action sequences and its portrayal of morally complex law enforcement officers.

### Distribution and Availability
Bullitt has been released in numerous formats since its original theatrical run, including VHS, laserdisc, DVD, and Blu-ray editions. The film continues to be broadcast on television and is available on various streaming platforms, ensuring its accessibility to new generations of viewers. Its enduring popularity has made it a staple of film retrospectives and classic movie programming.

### Related Works and Influence
The success of Bullitt influenced the development of the police thriller genre throughout the 1970s and beyond. Films like The French Connection (1971), which featured another legendary car chase, and television series like The Streets of San Francisco drew inspiration from Bullitt's realistic approach to law enforcement storytelling. The film's aesthetic and narrative techniques continue to be studied and referenced in film schools and by contemporary filmmakers.

## References

1. [Source](http://stopklatka.pl/film/bullitt)
2. [Source](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0062765/)
3. [Source](http://www.allocine.fr/film/fichefilm_gen_cfilm=693.html)
4. [Source](http://www.filmaffinity.com/es/film321480.html)
5. [Source](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0062765/fullcredits)
6. [Source](https://www.oscars.org/oscars/ceremonies/1969)
7. The Movie Database
8. [Source](https://www.loc.gov/programs/national-film-preservation-board/film-registry/complete-national-film-registry-listing/)
9. Bullitt. Rotten Tomatoes
10. Freebase Data Dumps
11. [IMDb](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0062765/releaseinfo)
12. [Filmdienst](https://www.filmdienst.de/film/details/26929/bullitt)
13. Source
14. [The Numbers](https://www.the-numbers.com/movie/Bullitt#tab=summary)
15. Kinopoisk
16. [Source](https://www.kijkwijzer.nl/films/bullit/)
17. terjesztesre_kerulo_filmalkotasok_nyilvantartasa.xlsx
18. List of film licenses issued from 1945 to 2020
19. [Source](https://www.eirin.jp/list/index.php?s_year=2009&s_month=12&e_year=2009&e_month=12&pageID=1)
20. [Source](https://www.cnc.fr/professionnels/visas-et-classification/35268)
21. Online-Filmdatenbank
22. Bechdel Test Movie List
23. mymovies.it
24. [Source](https://ui.eidr.org/view/content?id=10.5240/E52C-8FAE-7785-5F12-8B4D-T)
25. Danish Film Database
26. [Source](https://www.acmi.net.au/works/87430)
27. Trakt.tv
28. FilmVandaag.nl