QOTD: Somebody Does It Better?
I don’t profess to be a filmmaker, but were I to one day find myself behind the camera, I’m pretty confident I’d come up with something better than 75 percent of the mediocrity I see on Netflix. And you can bet there’d be a car component. No fast cutting during the action sequences, either.
As I sit here watching the detective in The Valhalla Murders pilot her grey Tiguan across the bleak and snowy Icelandic landscape, I think about the on- and off-road duels that haven’t yet made it to the big screen… and wonder which matchup I’d prefer to see first.
Given the sheer volume of films released over the past century and change, you’d think there’d be a great deal more famous matchups.
Think about it — minus the deluge of obscure (and generally low quality) European chase flicks that proliferated in the 1970s, the number of truly famous on-screen chases can probably be counted on one hand. Ask someone who’s a movie and car buff and the tally might encompass two hands. Not a lot of titles.
Any number of makes and models are missing out on a chance to flaunt their on-road prowess and prove their mettle against a worthy adversary. Where’s that longed-for AMC Eagle vs Jeep Grand Wagoneer battle? That never-filmed joust between a Jaguar XJS and first-gen BMW 8 Series? A Supra and F-Type?
Contour vs Corsica???
As we collectively shelter in place (self-isolate? Socially distance? Hide?), what missing on-screen matchup would you most like to see made a reality?
[Image: Murilee Martin/TTAC]
More by Steph Willems
Comments
Join the conversation
Contour would bury a Corsica unless maybe it was a straight Interstate chase or an OJ style one.
Pretty close, Frank Cannon, in Lincoln Continental vs Bad Guy in Ford Bronco across desert. That happened several times.
To me it seems every time a director needs a fast car for the 'strong, silent type' of hero, they always use a Mustang. Nothing against the 'Stang (and I love Bullit) but I'd like to see a movie car chase between a Porsche 911 and a Corvette! Or any Euro car against a Corvette (preferably the new C8) Now that would get me to tune in!
As I have posted previously the UK cop show/crime movies of the 50's to 70's. Nothing like watching a Cortina sedan allegedly 'racing' around. They must have cordoned off the streets so you couldn't see the pedestrians pushing baby strollers (prams) travelling about as fast. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e7gR7EYjcP8 The best car commercial of recent years. The bad guys always drive Jaguars. Well worth a watch.