Herb Kane
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Bullitt
Two Disc Special Edition
Studio: Warner Brothers
Year: 1968
Rated: PG
Film Length: 114 Minutes
Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1 Enhanced Widescreen
Audio: DD Surround Stereo
Color/B&W: Color
Languages: English & French
Subtitles: English, French & Spanish
MSRP: $26.99
Package: Two discs in a regular (hinged - double) Keepcase.
The Feature:
The next entry in Warner's wonderful boxed sets centers around screen-legend, Steve McQueen who defined "cool" like no other actor. The featured film, Bullitt is available individually or is included in The Essential Steve McQueen Collection and lists for $26.99 while the Collection consists of five other films including The Getaway and Papillon as well as new-to-DVD titles The Cincinnati Kid, Never So Few and Tom Horn and is a bargain listing at $68.92. The single disc titles list for $19.97.
San Francisco police Lt. Frank Bullitt (played by Steve McQueen) has been tasked with a 48 hour assignment to protect a key witness who is scheduled to testify against organized crime members. Due to his hard-hitting reputation, Bullitt and his men have been hand picked for the important assignment. In an attempt to protect the witness, the police put the informant up in a sleazy pay-by-the-hour San Francisco hotel. However, things suddenly go wrong when two hitmen show up and wind up shooting his witness as well as his partner. Local District Attorney Walter Chalmers (played by Robert Vaughn) is heading-up the hearing and his personal and political ambitions soon become an obstacle to Bullitt and his men. Chalmers tries to bully his way into the investigation and he quickly learns his tactics aren't going to work on Lt. Bullitt.
Soon, Bullitt loses focus of his main objective and his plight turns personal as he zeroes in on those responsible for shooting his partner. His quest however, is about to conflict with the D.A.'s demand for full co-operation. As the investigation progresses, Bullitt spends as much time dodging Chalmers as he does searching for the killers. But Bullitt's dogged determination pays off as things aren't quite what they seem. Interestingly, look for youthful appearances from Robert Duvall and Jacqueline Bisset. Bullitt won the 1969 Academy Award for Best Film Editing.
A review of Bullitt that didn't touch on the infamous car chase wouldn't be complete, in my opinion. In what has to be one of the most memorable car chase scenes in motion picture history and at speeds of up to 110 miles per hour, the astonishingly long 10 minute sequence was filmed with hand-held cameras up and down the narrow, hilly streets and busy intersections of San Francisco. Now, I'm not a big car guy but apparently, Bullitt's car was a Highland Green, 1968 four-speed Ford Mustang Fastback GT powered by a 390/4V big block engine that was chasing a black, 1968 four-speed Dodge Charger 440 R/T. One can only wonder if the Ford Mustang would be as popular in 2005 had the film never been produced...? If I've seen the chase once, I've seen it 50 times and each time that Charger - races through that chaotic intersection to turn left, I still get goose bumps. If that's not one of the most memorable scenes in film, I don't know what is.
The Feature: 4.5/5
:star::star::star::star:
Video:
Bullitt is a film I have seen many times and enjoy quite a bit, yet I never picked up the original barebones release. It's a disc I always thought would be forthcoming in an improved version and I think my patience has paid dividends. Considering this was an early entry into the DVD format, one has to assume that the video presentation with this new Special Edition is vastly improved, 'cause this new version looks mighty fine.
Remember, much of this film was shot indoors in dark and dingy environments. Black levels are fine and the image stays nicely defined regardless of how dark the scenes become. Shadow detail and contrast levels were fine. Whites were crisp and clean. Image definition was also pretty impressive. Many of the ultra close-ups were ultra sharp. Some of the mid range and longer shots were slightly soft but not transfer related.
From what I remember reading, vibrant colors are what the original version lacked. In this case, colors indeed appear quite vibrant and lush and nicely saturated. Skin tones were also accurate and real looking. There is a slight amount of film grain present (fine to medium) which is noticeable throughout the film and result is a pleasing film-like image with plenty of depth and dimension.
The image was mostly clean with only infrequent signs of dust and dirt. The image was also solid and free of any shimmer or jitter.
Video: 4/5
:star::star::star::star:
Audio:
The DD Surround track is solid, though unremarkable. The track is absolutely clean and free of any hiss or other noisy distractions nor have the high frequencies been compromised as a result. Dialogue was crystal clear and always intelligible. The overall tonality of the track was natural and it never becomes edgy or fatiguing.
Regardless of the action and chase scenes (and there are plenty), there's not much to speak of in terms of dynamic range or depth. Breaking glass is rather lifeless and gunshots are somewhat anemic but I suppose limitations of a film almost 40 years old are to be expected.
The front soundstage was wider than I might have expected which helps to showcase Lalo Schifrin's perfect jazzy score - a score which sets the tone and the mood of the film perfectly.
There is no surround info to speak of.
Audio: 3.5/5
:star::star::star:
Special Features:
Disc One:
[*] First up is a Commentary by Peter Yates who directed this, his first film outside of England. The emphasis of what is discussed throughout this commentary relates to the San Francisco shooting location and the various hurdles and obstacles that surfaced as a result. His comments are pretty much off the cuff and unrehearsed and occasionally veers off from being scene specific. Mr. Yates does an admirable job throughout the feature although there is a little bit of dead time here and there.
[*] The Theatrical Trailer is also included which is in pretty good shape. Duration: 2:51 minutes.
Disc Two:
[*] Steve McQueen: The Essence Of Cool is a new documentary which includes interviews from Neile Adams (McQueen's first wife), Sir Richard Attenborough, Norman Jewison, Chad McQueen (Steve's son), Peter Yates and McQueen’s widow, Barbara Minty, to name a few. The documentary is as thorough as you could imagine chronicling McQueen's complicated life and his legendary career. A number friends and co-stars reflect on their brush with McQueen's greatness throughout their careers. The feature also premieres June 1st on Turner Classic Movies. Essential viewing for fans of Steve McQueen. Duration: 86:56 minutes.
[*] Bullitt: Steve McQueen's Commitment To Reality is a documentary promo that was produced during the production. A number of individuals who were involved with the film are featured here. While the majority of this feature is behind the scenes footage, audio comments from those involved include Steve McQueen and director Peter Yates. Topics discussed are the inclusion of real doctors and nurses in the hospital scenes, the hurdles of some of the location shoots and obviously, the chase scene. A super little feature which offers up some terrific behind the scenes footage of the production. Duration: 10:13 minutes.
[*] The Cutting Edge: The Magic Of Movie Editing is a 2004 feature that focuses entirely on the issue of film editing - an inclusion that is apropos in light of the film's Best Film Editing Academy Award. Among those in attendance are Sean Penn, Walter Murch, Martin Scorsese, George Lucas, Rob Cohen, Quentin Tarantino, James Cameron, Steven Spielberg and Ridley Scott just to name a few who make an appearance here. Many of these participants disclose the importance of editing and how editing played a key role (citing and showing examples) in the various successes of their films, a great example being Spielberg who discusses the masterful editing of Jaws. The feature is narrated by Kathy Bates. This is an incredibly detailed feature filled with a treasure trove of information relating to film editing. If you're interested in the film making process, this isn't to be missed. Duration: 99:15 minutes.
Special Features: 5/5
:star::star::star::star::star:
**Special Features rated for the quality of supplements, not the quantity**
Final Thoughts:
The late 60's and early 70's is a period which isn't my favorite in terms of film, but without question, Bullitt is a film that is the exception - at least in my little world and the film stands as one of the best to come out of the decade. Aside from a text book example of film editing, Bullitt offers its fans two hours of wonderful entertainment in this taut crime drama with an interesting twist. Arguably, the film highlights one of Steve McQueen's finest performances and the car chase is legendary in scale.
Unfortunately, I can't offer members here a direct comparison to the original release, but I can't imagine this version not besting the original one by a long margin. For those who have held off, Warner’s has made the wait worthwhile as the presentation is superb and the special features are as impressive as the film itself - all of which make my decision to give this Special Edition my highest recommendation, an easy one.
Overall Rating: 4.5/5 (not an average)
:star::star::star::star:
Highly Recommended...!!
Release Date: May 31st, 2005
The Essential Steve McQueen Collection