Bullitt Blu-ray

Bullitt

 (1968)

Action | Crime | Drama | Thriller



His new assignment seems routine: protecting a star witness for an important trial. But before the night is out, the witness lies dying and cool, no-nonsense Detective Frank Bullitt (Steve McQueen) won't rest until the shooters - and the kingpin pulling their strings - are nailed. From opening shot to closing shootout, Bullitt crackles with authenticity: San Francisco locations, crisp dialogue and to-the-letter police, hospital and morgue procedures. An Oscar winner for Best Film Editing (1968), this razor-edged thriller features one of cinema history's most memorable car chases. Buckle up...and brace for unbeatable action.

For more details about Bullitt on Blu-ray, see the Bullitt Blu-ray Review

Starring: Steve McQueen, Robert Vaughn, Jacqueline Bisset, Don Gordon, Robert Duvall
Director: Peter Yates

Bullitt Blu-ray, Video Quality

 


For some reason, I never warmed to Bullitt’s 1.78:1 1080p VC-1 transfer. While it’s certainly serviceable, and likely the best that the film will ever look, the first act gave me a minor headache. Black levels are overwhelming at times, and I found myself squinting in vain to make out details that simply aren’t present in the prevalent shadows. Contrast, especially in the earlier outdoor scenes, is much too hot—the sky comes across as a blinding white while the actors faces are cloaked in shade, a balancing issue that could’ve been easily remedied by some subtle fill lighting. Realism is what Steve McQueen sought in this film, however, and Director Peter Yates employs verite cinematography that has little use for carefully constructed lighting schemes. The film is awash in heavy, but not distracting grain, and on the whole is far softer than it is sharp. Colors are generally strong, however, if a bit oversaturated, and the clarity of the game- changing car chase is better than ever.

Bullitt Blu-ray, Audio Quality

 


For a film that should throttle and growl with a thick automotive rumble, Bullitt’s Dolby Digital 2.0 stereo track whines as its audio engine tries desperately to turn over and engage. It’s a listenable mix, sure, and there are no major aural disasters, but the track has a compressed, lifeless feel that is nothing more than dull. The opening score is a good indication of the brittle highs and unsubstantial bass. Voices lack crispness, sound hollow, and it’s often obvious which ones have been looped in during post-production. Most disappointingly, when the two cars play dueling engines during the chase scene, I found myself longing for a rounder, throatier purr.

Bullitt Blu-ray, Forum Discussions

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