The Driver (1978)

Director:

Walter Hill

Writer:

Walter Hill (written by)

Release Date:

8 June 1978 (Netherlands)

Genre:

Action | Crime | Drama | Thriller

Tagline:

He'll get you away faster than anyone else on wheels.

Plot:

"The Driver" is specialist in a rare business: he drives getaway cars in robberies. His exceptional talent prevented him from being caught yet...

Plot Keywords:

Driver | Detective | Police | Man With No Name | Existentialism

Cast

Ryan O'Neal	...	The Driver
Bruce Dern	...	The Detective
Isabelle Adjani	...	The Player
Ronee Blakley	...	The Connection
Matt Clark	...	Red Plainclothesman
Felice Orlandi	...	Gold Plainclothesman
Joseph Walsh	...	Glasses
Rudy Ramos	...	Teeth
Denny Macko	...	Exchange Man
Frank Bruno	...	The Kid
Will Walker	...	Fingers
Sandy Brown Wyeth	...	Split
Tara King	...	Frizzy
Richard Carey	...	Floorman
Fidel Corona	...	Card Player

Also Known As:

Driver (UK) (DVD title)

Runtime:

91 min

Country:

USA | UK

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

Iceland:12 | Germany:16 (re-rating) (2006) | Netherlands:12 | UK:A (original rating) | Australia:M | Finland:K-16 | Norway:15 | Sweden:15 | UK:15 | USA:R | West Germany:18

Filming Locations:

Downtown, Los Angeles, California, USA

Company:

EMI Films

Trivia:

This film was originally written for Steve McQueen.

Goofs:

Crew or equipment visible: When The Driver elegantly destroys the Mercedes, there is a quick shot where the car hits a wall head-on, then reverses away. The stunt driver is visible as his blond wig almost falls off.

Quotes:

The Detective: Well, well, here's my new man. How do you like it here so far?
Red Plainclothesman: Just great.
The Detective: Let's get something straight right now. I don't like new men. They make mistakes.
Red Plainclothesman: Well, I haven't made any yet.
The Detective: Yeah, yeah. You're new. That's a mistake. And you talk too much... that's a mistake. That's the first thing you can learn. When you're talking, you're not thinking. Never talk... unless you have to.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in Il solitario (2008)

Excellent car and chase scenes

Why this film didn't get more exposure i'll never know. Anyways, this film was released in 1978 & also sports outstanding actors. Ryan O'Neil plays The Driver who steals cars & uses them in bank & other heists. Bruce Dern plays The Detective who goes after The Driver & tries to bring him to justice. The Detective tries to set up The Driver and ....well, I won't tell you how it ends but what leads up to it is just plain cool! The car scenes were excellent & almost rivals that of Bullit (a 60's movie that stars Steve McQueen). Although McQueen was supposed to star in The Driver, In my opinion, O'Neil does a better job. It now on DVD so add this one to your collection. You won't be disappointed!