#1 with a Bullitt

Steve McQueen plays the title role in Bullitt. The film, which was made 33 years ago, is nearly as vital today as it was back when it was made. Never was a role more suited for an actor than that of Frank Bullitt for Steve McQueen. Based on the book "Mute Witness" by Robert L. Pike, the movie tells the story of a cop who rebels against the establishment. It spoke to the generation of the late 60s who were also voicing on their dissatisfaction with and acting in rebellion to the "establishment." Indeed, this film was made when police officers were often refered to as "pigs."

Bullitt is a terrific movie even today. Frank Bullitt comes to suspect that there is something less than legitimate in his latest assignment. He is protecting a mob witness who, it appears, is part of a plot involving local politicos (Robert Vaughn is brilliant as the politician who sets Bullitt up) and police. Those who aren't trying to get the witness killed seem to be after Bullitt. Many of the people in this film are not who or what you think they are. The plot twists are at once shocking and believable.

This movie was the catalyst to the trend of other "cop against the system" or "unconventional cop" movies as "The French Connection," "Dirty Harry," and "Serpico." It was one of the original films to express America's paranoia about what the people in power were doing.

Bullitt also launched the career of Jacqueline Bissett when she replaced Mia Farrow at the last minute. She wants to get Bullitt and he here. The chemistry between McQueen and Bissett flows from the screen. Her performance is exactly on target here. She is beautiful and intelligent and incredibly sexy.

The car chase in this film was the wildest filmed at the time and even today holds up well. Of course, it helps to be flying over the hills of San Francisco. The entire film holds up well. It still feels fresh.

British director Peter Yates (who also directed another of my favorite movies, The Dresser) shows uncanny story-teling skill. He presents us with a story that is amusing, tough and romantic all at the same time. It is one of the most enjoyable cop films ever.