Two James Bond films rank in top 10 movie car chase poll

23-Jul-2008 • Bond News

The Italian Job has the best movie car chase of all time, according to a poll of filmgoers. The 1969 pursuit follows three Mini Coopers around the streets of Turin, Italy, at break-neck speed. The movie, starring Michael Caine, picked up 25% of the votes, while in second place (16%) was The Blues Brothers car chase. That film also featured Minis and was famed for its car pile-up climax, reports Sky News.

The Bourne Identity, again involving a Mini, was third, with 15% of the vote. The stunts were carried out on the streets of Paris.

Other car chases in the poll included Ronin, shot through the streets and tunnels of Paris, and Batman Begins, with the Batmobile traversing the roofs of Gotham City.

Bullitt also featured, with Detective Frank Bullitt, played by Steve McQueen, chasing a 1968 Dodge Charger in a 1968 Ford Mustang around San Francisco.

The survey was carried out for Pearl & Dean and more than 3,000 people were polled.

Kathryn Jacob, chief executive of the company, said: "You can see why these film car chases topped the polls.

"Many of them don't use massive amounts of special effects, which makes the chase more impressive.

"Featuring Minis rather than flashier cars appeals to the public because it injects a touch of British cool to the chase and adds cult status to the film."

The poll results in full were:

1. The Italian Job 25%

2. The Blues Brothers 16%

3. The Bourne Identity 15%

4. Ronin 10%

=5. Bullitt 9%

=5. Batman Begins 9%

7. Casino Royale 7%

8. The Rock 5%

9. The French Connection 3%

10. Goldfinger 2%

Thanks to `Zekidk` for the alert.