Revisiting our favorite car movies

The list we posted last weekend of our 10 favorite car films generated a fair amount of commentary — most of it relating to movies that posters felt were unfairly overlooked.

Up to Speed stands by its original selections, but we also understand the subjective nature of lists, rankings and popularity contests of any sort. And with that in mind, here are the four movies that got the most mentions from our readers:

"Vanishing Point" (1971) -– If, like Spinal Tap, we had gone to 11, this movie would’ve made the cut. Along with “Two-Lane Blacktop” (which did make the list), “Vanishing Point” is the car movie as existential epic -- as one poster noted, “one man, one car, one road: no exit.” (That car, by the way, was a white 1970 Dodge Challenger R/T.) If Camus had written a script for a car movie, this would have been the result. And it has one of the coolest endings in Hollywood history.

"Thunder Road" (1958) –- This tale of running moonshine in late '50s North Carolina apparently has a devoted following. Classic cars may be part of the reason, but we suspect that the presence of Robert Mitchum -- one of the great cinematic tough guys -- may also have something to do with it. (He even wrote and sang the title song!)

"Ronin" (1998) –- We saw this back in the dot-com era, and for some reason, the chase scenes just didn’t stay with us. But “Ronin,” with its tight European streets and slick European cars, clearly strikes a chord with many car-chase fans. We might have to put this one on Up to Speed’s Netflix list for a refresher course.

"Grand Prix" (1966) -– Like “Ronin,” this James Garner vehicle was directed by John Frankenheimer. The plot is basic big-screen soap opera, but it does feature spectacular footage of Formula One cars in all their mid-1960s glory, as well as cameos by some of the leading drivers of the era. When it comes to big-time racing films, some movie buffs prefer 1971’s “Le Mans,” which starred Steve McQueen and used a less-glossy, almost documentary-style approach.

-- Martin Zimmerman

After the jump: See the original theatrical trailer for "Vanishing Point."

Comments

[trickle]

When watching Bullit, look for the green VW.

[Christine B]

Bonnie & Clyde, a car movie? If that counts as a car movie, how about the original "The Italian Job" with the incomporable Rémy Julienne's stunt driving or "Dirty Mary, Crazy Larry" for some great car chases?

[Kathleen]

Shaker Run (1985) with Cliff Robertson, great New Zealand scenery.

[Eric]

I really liked Midnight Run. Can that be considered a car movie? Another great car movie is DUEL directed by a very young Steven Spielberg.

[Jon]

"C'etait un Rendezvous"
is a 8 min 39 sec, high-speed, 5:30 am jaunt through Paris. Shot in one take no matter!!! Enjoy:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M3RUtJhhxPg

[Super90]

If you haven't seen C'était un Rendez-vous, check it out:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M3RUtJhhxPg
It's not a car movie, exactly, but it doesn't get better than this.

[SLOnative]

LeMans, Grand Prix and the CanAm race movie that was shot at Road America with I believe Paul Newman. But you can't beat Bullitt for those stomach-turning drops in San Francisco.

If you want to see a crazy silent film chase through Malibu, check out a W.C. Fields silent. I don't know the name of the movie, but it's worth it just to see those empty ocean front lots on PCH. Maybe TCM will show it some Sunday night.

[Jeff]

"A Man and a Woman," and "LeMans."

[Fred]

Best car movie ?

1976's 'Gumball Rally', hands-down.

Or 'LeMans'...

[Gumball Girl]

Gumball Rally and Death Race 2000 (the original). Now those were car movies.

[CoolHandLuke]

"The Dead Pool" real car vs. toy car in San Francisco = Awesome!

"To Live & Die in L.A." William Peterson (the skinny version) going the wrong way on an L.A. freeway = Awesomer!

[Nate Hilts]

"Back to the Future" I thought for sure what be on the list. And maybe even "Italian Job" which made America fall in love with the Mini Cooper.