MovieChat Forums > The Seven-Ups (1973) Discussion > Not Best, But Most Realistic Car Chase S...

Not Best, But Most Realistic Car Chase Scene Ever!!!!!

posted 18 years ago by woljm45
35 replies | jump to latest

When you speak of car chase scenes, usually Bullitt takes the cake, followed by The French Connection. It's unfortunate though that the chase scene in The Seven Ups goes frequently unnoticed. The biggest reason for this mainly the movie itself was mediocre and there wasn't a real big star in the credits. I like Roy Schedier as well, but let's face it, he's better in a supporting role. As for the car chase itself, its more realistic and gritty than the flashy and glamouors Bullitt chase.

First of all, who in their right mind would smash up a brand new Mustang and Charger like that? The Seven Ups has regular junk cars from the 70's you can picture in your mind getting smashed up a bit. Second of all, the dirty-crowded streets of NYC with garbage and pot-holes all over the place gave more realistic obstacles for the cars than the clean-sunny hills of SF. The only thing better in Bullitt were the car jumps, but then again, in real life you're not going to get nice clean jump formations like that. If your speeding like that you're going to getting little skip-jumps like in the Seven Ups.

There is a part in the chase that is a bad rip-off of Bullitt, when Moon goes in the backseat to use the shotgun on Buddy, followed by the two cars smashing into eachother. Other than that, I felt this out-did the chase in Bullitt, just too bad it came a few years late. As for the French Connection, a subway automatically stops if there is no one manning the controls, so the motorman dropping dead of a heartattack pretty much gives that chase scene no basis to being formed in the first place, though it is action-packed. Worthy note, Bill Hickman did driving stunts for all three chase scenes mentioned.

[–] star_wars_guy 18 years ago

Couldn't agree more. The Seven-ups is clearly one of the best ever, though my personal favourite is from original Gone In 60 Seconds. I just love the intesity of the whole scenes - Schediers expressions are some of the best you'll ever see in a chase. I even felt the same way as you about the Bullitt ripoff - the whole of the end scene is suspiciously similar.

[–] benoit_wah 18 years ago

This is my favorite car chase ever. I live in New Jersey and I actually drove the route up through manhattan and around the museum of natural history and up riverside drive. the continuity is good until they go across the GW bridge, then they kind of fudge it a bit. As for 70's cars, the 1973 Bonneville that the bad guys are driving is one of the nicest cars around. i love those boats. i have a 73 eldorado, and a 75 Olds ninety-eight.

Personally i like the movie, and i thought the seven-ups chase was better than the french connnection, and more realistic than bullit. the one in bullit is too "hollywood"

[–] joshua_carpino 18 years ago

and of course there's the hair raising and unrehearsed near death expierience that ends the chase.scheider is really shivering when they pull him from the car.

[–] AutumnRed 18 years ago

Just need some clarification on the "unrehearsed near death experience" that ended the chase, are you saying that was an accident? It totally looked planned with cameras positioned to capture it but why would Scheider have really driven the car into the truck when they could have just used a dummy or an empty car?

[–] tdf5g 18 years ago

A stuntman actually drove the Ventura into the back of the semi truck. it was all planned, I think the roof of the car was rigged to 'peel back' also.

[–] AutumnRed 18 years ago

That makes more sense, thanks dude.

[–] tdf5g 18 years ago

You're welcome, dude. If you get a hold of the DVD there is a documentary included that shows the making of the chase sequence.

[–] nolo_king 16 years ago

Im watching the movie on AMC and thought that there would be threads on the car scene, a very exciting chase, Im surprised that Ive never heard of this movie until today, lawls!

[–] ck427 15 years ago

But isn't the chase scene non-sequiter: it gores from the GW Bridge to the Palisades Interstate Parkway to the Taconic Parkway !!

The Taconic is on the other side of the Hudson River and further north than the PIP.

[–] joep-11 18 years ago

I recently saw something about that stunt - one of those late night showings with trivia running in the crawler. The car was supposed to stop just short of the semi. The police (I think NY State Police) at the last minute changed the venue where they let the crew film that scene. The new place had gravel and the driver unintentionally slid into the semi, saving himself by ducking. They said Roy Scheider used the way the stunt driver looked after the crash to model his performance when the semi driver helped him out of the car.

[–] woljm45 18 years ago

I don't understand though, how do they get from a car wash on Webster Ave. in the Fodham section of the Bronx to the GW bidge in 2 seconds? What route did they take?

[–] anthony-206 18 years ago

Where do you get 2 seconds?

If you consider time-shifting it was quite some time before they rolled over the GWB.

[–] floydpinque 18 years ago

I've always thought it was the car wash at E. 125th by the FDR. In any event--
The chase is a great one but highly illogical in real life. What starts out uptown on the east side then switches to 10th Ave in the 50s. The closed 'school street' was also off 10th Ave --78th, I seem to recall--but then they are seen making turns onto CPW twice! And crossing Columbus and Broadway twice! Then on to 96th & Riverside and then up and over the GWB. But they wind up on the Palisades Pkwy., where buses are most definitely NOT allowed! And while the bus is headed North of NYC on the Jersey side, the bus header says "New York City'!

[–] rogueforte 18 years ago

Aside from the technical errors mentioned above, the thing that severely diminishes the effect of the chase scene in The Seven-Ups is the dubbing-in of the sound effects from Bullitt (mainly for the Ventura that Scheider is driving). That, alone, makes the chase scene in The Seven-Ups a huge disappointment.

If they had used the actual sounds of the Ventura instead of dubbing in the engine roar and squealing tires from Bullitt's Mustang, although not as noisy or dramatic, it would been much better. At least it sounded like they used the actual sounds of the big Pontiac sedan that the bad guys were using.

[–] tdf5g 18 years ago

I agree with you about the sound effects, it would have been more realistic to use the sounds of the actual cars, I like the sound of the secondaries opening up on those old Quadra-jets.

[–] rogueforte 18 years ago

The Grandville probably had a Quadrajet (I think that model might have had a 455 engine as standard equipment), but I think the only V8 you could get in a '73 Ventura was a 350-2v. The Ventura didn't get a 4v V8 from the factory until the next year, and then only in the Ventura-based GTO.

That's probably a big reason they dubbed in the Bullitt Mustang sound effects for the Ventura - it was a lot cheaper to use stock Venturas than to modify any for realistic, good sound. The Venturas might not even have been V8s. Even though there's always dubbed-in tire squealing and engine roar when it takes off, you never see any actual tire smoke or marks.

[–] tdf5g 18 years ago

Yeah, your'e probably correct on those engine/carb options for '73

Although the engine sound effects used for the Ventura are the same used for Bullitt's Mustang, I still think it's cool to hear that sound as the Ventura flies through New York after the Grandville. Maybe Buddy had made a few modifications to it.

I've read also that the sound effects used for the Mustang in Bullitt were dubbed in also, taken from a Ford GT40 race car.

[–] rogueforte 18 years ago

I think the 'GT40 sound effects in Bullitt' is a rumor begun because of the double-clutching sound of the Mustang and that some of the sounds were dubbed in, but of the actual cars driven at a local racetrack later.

Someone got it into their head that the double-clutching was the result of a non-synchromesh transmission, the kind used in racecars of the day. I've never read anything that actually supports this theory, though.

[–] tdf5g 18 years ago

Who knows what to believe. You really can't verify anything for sure.

Hey, rogueforte, If your into car movies here's something interesting if you have time to read it. This claims that one of the Two Lane Blacktop/Amercian Graffitti 55 Chevys was used for the sound effects of the Trans Am in Smokey and the Bandit. Go figure.

http://kathyschrock.net/graffiti/55.htm

[–] rogueforte 18 years ago

That's a good article on the '55 Chevys used in Two-Lane Blacktop and American Graffiti. And from what I remember of Smokey and the Bandit, it wouldn't surprise me that the sounds of Burt Reynolds' Trans-Am were actually from the big-block in the '55 Chevy from the other two movies.

On a somewhat related note that might be interesting to gearheads/movie buffs is the upcoming introduction of three new retro cars that have very close connections to famous car-chase movies:

2008 Bullitt-edition Mustang in the same Dark Highland Green color as the original 1968 car (a similiar version had previously been released for 2001).

2008 Dodge Challenger that closely resembles the 1970 car used in Vanishing Point.

2008/2009 Pontiac GTO that may bear some resemblance to Warren Oates' 1969 GTO Judge in Two-Lane Blacktop (this last one is just a guess on my part, though, as no concept car or photos have been released).

A new Chevy Camaro that has touches of the 1969 car is also scheduled to be released in the near future, but I know of no popular movie that used this specific model year.

[–] tdf5g 18 years ago

Yes I've seen and read about the production of the retro cars you mention.

I'd still rather have the originals though.

Another reminder to all gearheads, don't miss the Barrett-Jackson auction this week on SpeedTV live from Scottsdale AZ. Coverage begins this Tues. evening.

[–] -501 16 years ago

The awful audio dubs have been beat to death here so I won't dwell on them other than saying the lack of overlays of other sound effects make this nothing more than a dated 70's TV show in quality.

If you like it you like it but please, a Ventura trying to knock a much larger Grandville off the road? If that wasn't funny enough the Ventura hits the Grandville, then an awkward time gap before the Grandville stunt driver reacts and turns his wheel to hit the guard rail. C'mon folks, this is awful stuff.

The bit with the bus that doesn't slow up with a car right in front of it and a guy with a shotgun preparing to shoot someone. What the driver didn't get a good look at that though his big windshield? The bit where the bus STILL doesn't slow up when shots are fired. The classic crap of a hood blowing off when hit by a shot gun blast? Yeah, that's what happens when you shoot shotgun shells at the side of a hood, the hood blows off. Please. The decapitating car crash is tired stuff too.

Other than that, it was amazing stuff, vroom, vroom. ;-)

Living Is Easy With Eyes Closed

[–] urgeking 12 years ago

-501's post kind of sounds like it's coming outta trollsville, or perhaps from the land of Not Paying Close Attention.

"A Ventura trying to knock a much larger Grandville off the road?" Sure. The Grand Ville may be longer, wider, and have a 1000-pound advantage, but the Ventura, although we called it a "compact" car in the '70s, ain't no Mini. It's larger than today's "mid-size" sedans and weighs 3000+ pounds-- so, yes, it WILL have a considerable impact on the bigger car when it slams against it. Hmm, I don't suppose the PIT maneuver had been invented by 1973... imagine the Grand Ville losing control and rolling a few times-- now that would have been spectacular.

What "awkward time gap"? Apparently this refers to the hit at 1:02:42. No, the Grand Ville doesn't instantly veer toward the guardrail; it takes maybe half a second. Given that we're talking about a 4000-pound car moving forward at 70 mph or so, I think that's probably in line with the laws of physics. And it may be that the driver (the character, not the stuntman) got a little shaken by that hit and just lost it for a moment-- in his big heavy sedan with far-less-than-sports-car handling-- and swerved the wrong way. Whatever, when I watch (like right now) it doesn't look unbelievable at all. There's one thing that always seemed odd to me, though: Why is the gunman now just watching and not even trying to shoot at the Ventura again?

The bus: Well, I think it DOES slow down a bit when the Grand Ville pulls right in front of it and makes itself at home. (Honk, honk!)

As for the bus driver not seeing the guy with the shotgun: The bus may have a "big windshield", but the back window of the 'Ville is nowhere near as big, and as the (black) car interior looks pretty dark even from the INSIDE, it would look even darker to the bus driver, being that his eyes were adjusted to the outdoor light. Plus the back window is probably full of reflections from the sky, obscuring his view even more. (It's surprisingly hard to see very much through the windows of a moving car from the outside in daylight-- try it sometime.) Maybe he does notice the end of the sawed-off shotgun poking a LITTLE bit out of the Grand Ville's open window... and maybe he doesn't realize what it is, since HE hasn't been watching the movie up until now. Maybe he's also trying to keep an eye out for other dangers ahead-- a wise course of action for anyone who's on the Taconic State Parkway (I hope I never have to drive on that road again!) with a busload of passengers. Anyway, when the gunman leans out and aims, the bus driver does react.

As for not slowing down: We only see the bus for about one second after the shots are fired, and, no, it doesn't seem to slow down drastically-- but, y'know what, given the angle at which the shotgun's aimed, the bus might be safer NOT backing off too far! In any case, by the time the Ventura gets back on the road, the Grand Ville is racing away from the bus and the brake lights on the bus are flickering quickly. So I don't see anything weird there.

The hood blowing off: Well, in the close shot of the gunman just before that, it's true that he's aiming as if the Ventura has pulled up almost next to his car... although the shot is so quick, it's awfully hard to tell without pausing the DVD. But in the next shot, as we look back at all three vehicles, the Ventura is actually back a good deal further, next to the middle of the bus-- look at the shadows. The shooter is aiming at the front of the Ventura, at roughly a 45-degree angle, and from his vantage point the center of its hood (where the latch would be) is almost in line with the driver's side of its windshield (presumably his target). So, "shooting shotgun shells at the SIDE of a hood"? Nope. It all lines up. Pause it and see.

"The decapitating car crash is tired stuff too." That so? I suppose there had already been lots of movies where they did that... right??

Yeah, living IS easy with eyes closed-- and you know what the next line is! Heh heh, I couldn't resist, you put it right there...

[–] fdc-2 18 years ago

You are correct, all Grandvilles (they were only made from 1971 thru 1975, with the '75 convertibles being very collectible) had the 455 V-8, all with 4 barrel carbs. The Ventura did a have a V-8 (only a 350 cid with 2 barrel). You could get them to squeal from a stop light ( I know, I had one), but they where uncapable of burning rubber, much less smoking the tires, that looks so cool in the movies. I even had a '72 Grandville coupe once, that was a great cruiser!

[–] yatzo376 11 years ago

I agree

[–] yatzo376 11 years ago

I agree

[–] sinistercard 18 years ago

Anyone notice on the rear-ending scene into the semi-trailer.....that the trailer itself appeared to NOT have a DOT bumper!? I wonder when the Feds(DOT)decided to change the regulations that require such a bumper as to protect the public from potential decapitation as the scene in the movie inferred? For those that don't know what I'm referring to....nowadays next time you go behind a big rig's trailer.....you'll notice a lower bumper braced by smaller support beams attached to the higher main frame of the trailer's body....that's known as a " DOT bumper".So my question again is.....what year did these change(s) take place?

[–] keljor-1 16 years ago

You're joking, right? JUST WATCH THE FILM!

[–] camaroamx 13 years ago

the crash with the ventura at the end of the the chase was Bill Hickman's(the stunt driver, also the bad guy driving the Gran Ville) tribute (a little odd to me) to Jane Mansfeild (the actress), who was killed several years earlier by rear-ending a semi (spray truck). her death was a big reason why they started putting the "DOT Bumpers" on the back of semis. anther name for that bumper is the "Mansfeild bar", which is actually officaly called a underride guard. the regulation started shortly after 1967 (after Mansfield's death on June 28 1967).

the result of the accident in the 7-ups where the Ventura's roof is folded up was realistic, as it was the same result of Jane Mansfield's car after her accident, though others on here have said otherwise.

The engine sounds from the ventura are dubbed from Bullit and the sounds from Bullit were dubbed from the Ford GT 40 (recorded at Le Mans if i remember correctly). The engine sounds from Smokey and the Bandit were dubbed from the 55 Chevy in Two-Lane Blacktop/American Graffitti (you here the supercharger pretty good were Burt drives through the mailboxes).

[–] bhobnine 11 years ago

Those trailer bumpers are known around here as ICC bars.

ICC= Interstate Commerce Commission.

They have been required since 1953.

I would say they intentionally removed the one in this scene for a cooler...

...Jayne Mansfield effect ;)

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"Pffft, my suspension of disbelief has higher standards than that"

[–] Woodyanders 17 years ago

That wild and exciting protracted heart-in-your-throat mondo destructo car chase was one of the definite highlights of the whole movie.

Look nonchalant and keep on smiling.

[–] bradford-1 15 years ago

Who the ##*^% cares if a Grandville could be knocked off the road? Or if a shotgun can really shoot the hood off a car? I don't give if a hoot in hell if such things can happen in "real life." If the filmmakers can give me a few minutes of escapism, so be it!

[–] Cinamon 15 years ago

Everyone's always going on about the chase scene in Bullitt, but The 7-Ups usually falls thru the cracks.
This is my FAVORITE scene in the film and best car chase I've ever seen!!

[–] Hey_Sweden 11 years ago

It's extremely well done. I really was on the edge of my seat.

What do you think this is, a signature? It's a way of life!

[–] 11 years ago

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