Widely considered to be Steve McQueen’s coolest film, ‘Bullitt‘ contains the greatest car chase ever filmed. Nothing has topped 60 year old footage of a green Mustang stalking a black Charger R/T around San Francisco. It is ‘The Godfather‘ for gearheads. But how many have actually seen it at a movie theatre?
On Sunday night FILM.CA Cinemas in Oakville (just west of Toronto) had a one-night only screening of the 1968 classic ‘Bullitt‘. For many, it was be the first chance in years to actually see the movie in a proper cinema.
For decades, this was the Cineplex Odeon Cinema in the sleepy town of Oakville. With five screens, it was pretty big, by ’80s & ’90s standards. Just after the turn of the century, the parent company decided to build a multi-plex a block away, and put this building up for sale. A group of investors saved the building from the wrecking ball, restored it to as-new condition, and in 2005 re-opened it as Encore Cinemas.
Despite the vintage projector in the lobby, the theatre undertook the massive expense of converting to digital projection, and was renamed FILM.CA Cinemas in 2014, to shake the reputation that it was only a repertoire theatre. They show first-run Hollywood movies too! Yet there’s no doubt that walking into the theatre is like stepping back in time.
Pass under the marquee lights into the grand lobby with its old school velvet curtains and period-correct purple paint. This was cinema in the ’80s; hints of the golden era of movie theatres with a Miami Vice colour scheme.
So how was ‘Bullitt‘ on the big screen? Even the 60″ TV with Dolby surround sound in your living room cannot begin to compare with the silver screen, especially when seated up front. This is the way director Peter Yates and cinematographer William Fraker intended for audiences to see the movie; larger than life.
Yet the experience was also a little disappointing. After seeing ‘F1: The Movie‘ in IMAX and D-Box this summer, a regular old movie screen actually seems kind of small. There were no earth-shaking subwoofers or deafening speakers to add to the experience either.
In the parking lot after the movie, it was obvious who came to see ‘Bullitt‘ as several late-model Ford Mustangs plus a red 1968 Alfa Romeo parked side-by-side. Would these be other red-blooded motorists planning on a high-speed chase through the deserted streets of Oakville? No… not really.
The drivers climbing into the sports cars were grey-haired seniors. Seems the younger generation doesn’t know about this film, and no way grandpa was risking points on his license.
Driving home on the highway, two headlights pierced the darkness. The lights were growing bigger in the rearview mirror, and there was no choice but to to cede the left lane to faster-moving traffic.
Moments later, a Ford Mustang blew past at easily 140 km/h, more than enough for a street racing ticket. Could have sworn that grandpa from the parking lot waved as he sped by.
I love Bullit.
Did you ever get to see it at a movie theatre? Takes it to another level, bro!
In the 70s when I was a teenager.
Last week at the repertoire theatre was my first time. You are a lucky duck.
One of the best chase scenes ever. The chase scene in Clint Eastwood’s “The Dead Pool” is really good, also.
I haven’t seen that one in years. I may check it out.