Vehicles have been an important element in cinema since day
one; the title of the first true motion picture, THE GREAT TRAIN ROBBERY
(1903), speaks for itself. In every film, characters have to get from one place
to another, and covering that distance can be done in many ways; cars, trucks,
planes, helicopters, spaceships, rocketships, horseback, dragonback, bicycles,
tricycles, skateboards, outboards, motorcycles and lightcycles…to name a few. A
truly great film manages to take a vehicle and give it such a presence that it
becomes a character itself; a character that is remembered long after the
credits roll.
This list of the Top 10 Best Cinematic Vehicles was put
together from factors ranging from screen-presence, cultural impact, longevity,
and a careful balance of this Blogger’s objectivity and personal favorites. With
so many to choose from and only 10 spots available, this list was a challenge,
and honorable mention needs to be paid to the V8 Interceptor from MAD MAX
(1979), the Truckster from NATIONAL LAMPOON’S VACATION (1983), the Batmobile from BATMAN (1989), the X-Wing and TIE Fighters from STAR WARS, and the
ballistic missile submarine Red October from
THE HUNT FROM RED OCTOBER (1990).
Now let’s get this engine started, and please note; many of
these vehicles appear in more than one film, so only their debut is referenced.
10.The Bandit’s
Trans-Am from SMOKEY AND THE BANDIT (1977)
Hal Needham’s action-comedy of cross-country outlaw bootlegging
demanded a cool character with a cool car. The Bandit’s black Trans-Am screamed
outlaw with its T-tops and eagle on the hood, and the film would double
Trans-Am sales for years. The car has such a presence in the film, it seems to
appear more than the Bandit himself, played by Burt Reynolds.
9. Steve McQueen’s
Ford Mustang GT from BULLITT (1968)
When people purchase a Mustang today, most of them don’t
realize they are doing so thanks to the legacy of this car. Perhaps the most
iconic muscle car of all cinema, it is in the center of one of the best
car-chases on film, and it would inspire decades of Mustang sales. It was a
perfect matchup; the all-American movie star (McQueen) with the all-American
vehicle. The only reason it doesn’t rank higher is because the car’s popularity
has eclipsed the film, which has sadly faded over time.
8. RMS Titanic from TITANIC (1997)
Historians have written that even when considering the fate
of the real-life doomed ship, ship-builders and designers of today still
consider Titanic to be one of the
finest achievements in ocean liners. With such a reputation, filmmaker James
Cameron had a tall order to fill when he made his eventual Oscar-winner and
historical money-maker. By using the original blueprints and suppliers from the
actual ship, along with a combination of practical sets and CGI, Cameron’s
re-creation of the ship was stunning with its attention to detail, and is the
perfect example of a vehicle having a dominating presence on the screen.
7. Ecto-1 from GHOSTBUSTERS (1984)
The quirky and weird looking modified hearse that the one
and only Ghostbusters got around NYC in may have been under-utilized in its two
appearances, but to this day it is instantly recognized and replicas are a huge
hit at conventions.
6. James Bond’s Aston
Martin from GOLDFINGER (1964)
The best secret agent in the world needed a car that could
get him around and fight off enemies. The tricked-out car with hidden guns,
rocket launchers, and ejector seats are always a delight to see in action, and
similar to its owner, it was elegant with hidden dangers.
5. The Orca from JAWS (1975)
The boat captained by Quint the shark-hunter was designed to reflect its owner’s
larger-than-life personality. The Orca beamed with character, and despite its
eventual fate, was the right ship to hunt down a killer shark. It was a functional vehicle with a distinct outline on the horizon, and served as the set for the third and final act of the ultimate showdown between man and sea.
4. The DeLorean Time
Machine from BACK TO THE FUTURE
(1985)
When Doc Brown decided to travel through time, he wanted to
do so in style. The DeLorean’s sleek lines gave it a futuristic quality that
matched the film’s themes perfectly, and it maintained that characteristic
despite all the upgrades (and downgrades) that it would see during Doc and
Marty’s voyages through time. When replicas of the DeLorean appear at
conventions, the lines to sit at the wheel go forever.
3. The Death Star from
STAR WARS: A NEW HOPE (1977)
The ultimate power in the universe with the ability to
destroy a planet is by far one of the most iconic images in cinema and
pop-culture; everyone recognizes it
right away. Its name induces fear, its look is most impressive, and its
interiors are a maze of dangers reminiscent of an old haunted house film.
2. USS Enterprise from STAR TREK: THE
MOTION PICTURE (1979)
No spaceship or vehicle has ever looked more beautiful on
film than the refurbished Enterprise
in 1979. When Admiral Kirk does his breathtaking fly-by tour of the ship, he acts as an
audience surrogate and kicks in all our emotions as we see her in her glory, with
gorgeous lighting and graceful lines. It was a powerful moment that means
all the more when she meets her demise two sequels later.
1. The Millennium Falcon from STAR WARS: A NEW HOPE (1977)
The most popular character in the entire STAR WARS saga
deserved to have the fastest, and coolest ship in the galaxy. Han Solo’s ship
thrilled audiences in every appearance as it gunned down enemies, swerved
through asteroids, and played a major part in the destruction of two Death Stars. Its popularity made it
an instant, long-lasting entry into pop culture, and was easily marketed in
toys, models, and massive Lego kits. From the early days it was a top seller,
and this Blogger still has his Falcon from
1979:
Much like the two Death Stars that it rebelled against, the Falcon is recognized by everyone ranging
from diehards to non-fans. It’s longevity, screen-impact, and emotional
resonance makes it the best way to go someplace on the screen.
THE TOP 10 MOVIE VEHICLES
1.
The
Millennium Falcon
2.
USS
Enterprise
3.
The Death Star
5.
Orca
6.
James Bond’s Aston Martin
7.
Ecto-1
8.
RMS
Titanic
9.
Steve McQueen’s ’68 Mustang
10.
The Bandit’s Trans-Am
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