If you’re a driving enthusiast who won’t be spending any time on the roads this Christmas, you can still get your motoring fix over the festive season with an action-packed car movie.
From the classics such as Chitty Chitty Bang Bang to the modern day Fast and Furious franchise there are plenty of films involving some epic chases which can be enjoyed from the comfort of your armchair.
So here’s our rundown of some of the best car movies of all time….
The Italian Job
Forget the 2003 version, the 1969 original version of The Italian Job features what is possibly the finest Mini Cooper chase sequence ever seen. This film proves that you don’t need a racing car for driving to be exciting, although the stunning Turin backdrop probably goes some way towards making this chase sequence as gripping as it is. There’s also a glimpse of the iconic Lamborghini Muira in the opening scene, athough sadly it crashes and explodes soon after disappearing into a tunnel.
Gumball Rally
Who can forget the Ferrari-driving Italian Franco Bertolli, who rips off his mirror during this film of the coast-to-coast race proclaiming “Whatsa behind is not important – only what’s in front matters.”
Made in 1976, Gumball Rally provided the inspiration for Cannonball and Cannonball Run, and involves some impressive stunts and driving sequences as the racers do their best to avoid being apprehended by LAPD Lieutenant Roscoe.
“Gumball” is the code word issued to the racers to embark on their race, and has provided the inspiration for many rally enthusiasts to create their own real-life local versions, although fortunately the driving isn’t usually quite as crazy as it is in the film.
Fast and Furious
There have been six Fast and Furious films so far, although plans for a seventh are currently under review after one of its stars, Paul Walker, was killed two weeks ago when a Porsche in which he was a passenger crashed and burst into flames in Valencia, north of Los Angeles.
The first film involves a street racer, played by Vin Diesel, and his gang, who are suspected of stealing electronic equipment. An undercover policeman, played by Walker, sets out to find who is responsible and a series of dramatic car chases ensues.
Cars
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vh4-xDIAYGU
If you’re looking for a car film that can be enjoyed by the younger members of the family this Christmas, look no further than the animated Pixar film Cars. Lightning McQueen is the up-and-coming racing car protagonist, who is a little big for his boots (or perhaps that should be tyres), but gets his comeuppance when he ends up in the tiny town of Radiator Springs and accidentally damages the main street.
Ordered to repair the road before he can leave, McQueen is forced to make amends, forging many friendships along the way. Children and adults alike can’t help but warm to this film – and it might even buy you a couple of hours’ peace on Christmas Day.
Chitty Chitty Bang Bang
Ask anyone to think of a car film and odds are they’ll come up with this one. This musical classic involves the fabulous Chitty, who can sprout propellers and fly when driven off a cliff, and is based loosely on Ian Fleming’s novel, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang: The Magical Car. The red cedar-planked brass-fitted car built by Ford was bought by Radio 2 DJ Chris Evans last year. He paid almost £500,000 for it and bought it from its previous owner after he discovered he couldn’t fit the 17-and –a-half-foot car in his garage.
The Love Bug
The first of the Herbie films, featuring the famous Volkswagen Beetle with a mind of its own, Love Bug is all about how Herbie and his relationship with race-driver Jim Douglas, played by Dean Jones.
In the film the car is bought from Thorndyke’s car dealership by a socialite for her maid, but is returned for not being reliable, only to be bought by Douglas. There then follows a series of races against rival Thorndyke (played by David Tomlinson), who becomes increasingly desperate to find out the car’s secret.
The film definitely shows its age at some points, but it’s good family fun nonetheless.
The Bourne Identity
While The Bourne Identity isn’t strictly a car film, it arguably boasts one of the best screen chases ever seen. The Mini Cooper makes its second appearance in our list, featuring in the film’s famous car chase around Paris. Only the eagle-eyed will spot that not many of the locations used are actually linked to each other in reality – the final product is a result of plenty of clever editing which makes it look as though it is one long journey.
Matt Damon as the eponymous Bourne is carrying a passenger, Marie, who screams in horror when he warns her that a bump is coming up, only to plummet down a massive flight of steps.
Genevieve
Genevieve is the ultimate British classic car movie, made in the 1950s and starring Jon Gregson, Kenneth More, Dinah Sheridan and Kay Kendall. It follows two couples taking part in a veteran automobile rally from London to Brighton and includes a cracking Oscar-winning musical score by Larry Adler.
After reaching Brighton, the two crews decide to race back to London, even though racing is not allowed by their club. There then follows a nail-biting battle to the finishing line on Westminster Bridge.
This film is a true legend of a motoring movie, so if you haven’t seen it you must, not least so you can admire the stunning Darracq and Spyker cars.
Duel
A personal favourite, Duel has me on the edge of my seat every time, which is pretty impressive considering there are only a few lines of dialogue.
This action thriller, directed by Steven Spielberg, involves a commuter, David Mann (played by Dennis Weaver), being pursued by a 1955 Peterbilt 281 tanker truck. The face of the driver of the truck is never shown, adding to the suspense as it relentlessly tracks Mann’s 1971 Pymouth Valiant across the California desert.
After numerous near misses, Mann eventually wins the battle and the truck plunges over the edge of a cliff into a canyon.
Film buffs will delight in telling you that this is the film where one Steven Spielberg cut his film directing teeth, having previously worked in TV.
Blues Brothers
Few car chases can rival the epic battle between police and the heroes of the Blues Brothers. The thing I love most about this scene is its authenticity – there’s no photo-shopping going on here, just real cars, real drivers and real crashes.
The film used no less than 13 different vehicles to depict the “Bluesmobile”, which was a 1974 Mount Prospect Dodge Monaco patrol. Sixty police cars were bought for $400 each for the big car chase and more than 40 stunt drivers were hired to drive them. Hardly surprising, then, that when this film hit screens it held the world record for the most cars destroyed in one film – only to be beaten by its Blues Brothers 2000 sequel.
The post Cars on film – what’s your favourite? appeared first on The MoneySupermarket Blog.