Back in 1984 director Taylor Hackford released a love triangle thriller starring a young, handsome Jeff Bridges, an ever-so-creepy James Woods, and the stunning Rachel Ward.
What distinguished "Against All Odds" to me, besides Ms. Ward of course, was the underrated car chase between Woods in a Ferrari 308 GTS and Bridges in a 1984 911 Cabriolet.
This was before CGI and the video-game car chases of today. These were two real cars racing down Sunset Boulevard at speed -- and no accelerating the film up, either.
I immediately thought of this movie when we picked up our new old 1985 911. I think it's one of the great car chases in movie history, and it was one of the factors that initiated my lust for the 911.
I haven't had the chance to try our 911 yet, but when I do, perhaps I'll take it on Sunset.
And find me a 308.
Hit the jump to watch the chase down Sunset Blvd. (Warning: profanity in the video.)
Albert Austria, Senior VE Engineer
allinmyhead says:
10:15 AM, 06/17/11
The movie was recently released on blu-ray and I re-watched it; being one of those favored memory movies. Unfortunately, the chase scene is about the best part of the film. The rest hasn't held up particularly well.
Watching 80's movies, I'm still amazed at how short our attention spans have gotten and/or how much writers will cram into a plot now. I'm always sitting there, impatiently, wondering why we need a 4min establishing shot.
The chase scene also reminds you that even though these cars only had a little over 200hp, and didn't have the < 5sec 0-60 times, they were still very quick even by today's standards. Keep in mind, neither of these cars had power steering or ABS and the delta in tire technology; no sequential manuals, torque vectoring diffs, no stability or traction control either. The numbers on paper don't tell the whole story, these were still properly quick cars.
texases says:
10:33 AM, 06/17/11
Nice view of the tail-waggin' 911...
ptcdawg says:
10:33 AM, 06/17/11
Great movie, cool scene. Had an 83 911 SC Cab in that exact color combo. Great car.
throwback says:
10:37 AM, 06/17/11
It was actually a good movie, with Phil Collins singing the title song.
zcalvert says:
11:05 AM, 06/17/11
alright... into my Netflix queue it goes.
better be good.
iceman100 says:
12:04 PM, 06/17/11
allinmyhead
Excellent points - I'll take "old-school" movies and car chases like these over any modern film. With all the CGI and other stuff today all I get watching new movies is a headache.
v8vader says:
05:00 PM, 06/17/11
that was very refreshing! thanks, Albert!
jhazey says:
10:35 PM, 06/17/11
The dude abides.
northsparrow says:
05:33 AM, 06/18/11
Since Mr Austria (a title shared with Arnold Schwarzenegger?) has brought up the subject of
stunning 80s actresses may I suggest the incomparable Greta Scacchi in 1987's "White Mischief" .
For what it's worth, John Hurt's hangdog character provided a perfect counterpoint to Miss Scacchi's radiance and he drove an interesting old Rolls.
wag2vr says:
08:23 AM, 06/18/11
You'll notice that the 308 here has the same dubbed-in engine sounds that they gave the Countach in "Cannonball Run" and that kit car in "Hardcastle and MCCormack". I'm wondering exactly which car they stole this from.
kissel1 says:
04:26 AM, 07/18/11
Not to be too anal or anything, but Jeff was driving a 1983 SC, not an '84.
Still one of the all-time best car chases. "Entourage" paid tribute to it a few years ago with Ari going at it against a rival agent.