If you were to name one of the most famous car chase scenes in film history, many movie fans would think of the 1968 film Bullitt.

In this film, Steve McQueen plays San Francisco detective Frank Bullitt, and it has made its mark in film history with its thrilling car chase scene through the city.

The car chase scene in the movie was filmed with astonishing levels of real high-speed driving, even by 1968 standards. Steve McQueen himself took the wheel at times, while a professional stunt driver handled other parts.

The car driven by McQueen was a dark green Ford Mustang GT390, which became known as the 'Bullitt Mustang' after this film, making it one of the most famous movie cars in automotive history. The chase scene with the villain in a black Dodge Charger is still exhilarating to watch today.

The filming locations are scattered throughout San Francisco. The steep hills of the city, particularly the streets between Russian Hill and Nob Hill, served as the main stage for the car chase. The scenes of racing up and down the uniquely steep slopes of San Francisco are a backdrop that is hard to replicate in any other city.

Some scenes also utilized streets in the direction of Scottie Square and Potrero Hill.

The story of the film revolves around Detective Frank Bullitt, who loses a witness during a witness protection mission involving the mafia, and uncovers a complex political conspiracy.

Steve McQueen's portrayal of the stoic yet strong character drives the film, and the realistic police drama style was impressive for its time. The jazz and funk-style music also blends well with the film's atmosphere.

Upon its release, Bullitt was a major box office success, solidifying Steve McQueen's stardom. The car chase scene has influenced countless chase sequences in movies and TV shows since, consistently ranking among the top two when discussing the best car chases in Hollywood. It is considered a textbook example among car enthusiasts and film fans alike.

Today, when visiting San Francisco, you can actually walk the streets where the car chase scenes were filmed.

Especially walking the hilly streets of Russian Hill and Nob Hill, it's fun to imagine, "Ah, the Mustang raced down that slope!"

Experiencing how the unique geography of San Francisco was utilized in the film is one of the special experiences of visiting the city.

In Korea, after its theatrical release in the 1970s and 80s, it gained recognition through various TV dubbed versions and has been consistently introduced through cable movie channels, DVDs, and streaming services.

Though it's an old film, it is still recommended as a classic that showcases the fundamentals of action cinema.