1971
Directed by William Friedkin
This is a film that I feel like no one talks about anymore. Perhaps I am wrong about that, seeing as I do my best to not talk to a whole lot of people. But everyone that has seen it seems to love it, so it is really a shame that it has fallen off the radar a bit.
Basically, two cops try to stop drug dealers. Of course, all anyone can really focus on is the car chase at the end. THAT WAS SUCH A GREAT CAR CHASE AT THE END! Sorry, I had to get that out of my system.
There are plenty of other tense bits to enjoy in this film. It's always great to see Roy Schieder in anything; I would watch that man put together an Ikea desk. It does suffer a bit from the "wait...who is that?" factor that affects many action films. But guys: car chase.
RATING: ***--
Interesting Facts:
Roy Schieder and Gene Hackman patrolled with real police detectives for months to prepare for their roles. Hackman especially was disgusted with what he saw.
Gene Hackman had a hard time saying the racist dialogue. Aw, Genie.
#93 in AFI's top 100.
Good morning Amanda..
ReplyDeleteNot only a ne posting, but a flurry of comments and replies as well.. (Thanks to Rachel)
I'm generaly skeptical about films that rely on a car chase to be considered memorable or good. . I'm about as adverse to squeeling tyres as I am to Julie Andrews or Doris Day in a pink dress singing to children.
That said, as car chases go, this was is not bad. As far as I remember, non of them explode,
I more remember the other tense moments.. the car stake out and asociated dismantling of the car to find the stash.
So looking at it as a police procedural (Spelling??), a good one.. as an action movie .. subtle enough to be acceptable. I've seen it all the way through a couple of times, and 'dipped into' it many more. I'm not sure if I'd bother to watch it again.. but, yes, I guess it's quite good.
Hi Ray!
DeleteI probably could have guessed that you wouldn't be a Doris Day fan! Her movies are a guilty pleasure of mine. She is so over the top and ridiculous; especially when she gets mad and blows the hair out of her face.
The thing is, this movie won 5 Oscars, including best movie. This is supposed to be really special, yet all anybody talks about is that car chase. I have a very hard time understanding why this movie is so fantastic.
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