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As much as we fear the subjective, the prospect of putting to rest a question that has plagued film buffs for decades was too sweet to pass up. So here's our take on the debate. Now bring on the hate mail, er, feedback! After doing some preliminary research, we put together our short list of the greatest chase scenes -- movies that even the greasiest gear-head would love. While Bullitt is by all accounts the originator, we found many online experts
pointing toward The French Connection as the film that took burning rubber to a whole new level. Known as much for its originality (the famed chase features only one car) as its thrills, The French Connection's most famous scene involves Detective Popeye Doyle (great name) hot on the trail of drug smugglers through the mean streets of Manhattan. The unplanned car crashes, unknowing extras, and acclaimed editing helped give Popeye's pursuit an ultra-realistic feel. More importantly, the chase is vital to the story -- there's nothing gratuitous about it. Of course, there are a slew of
films with great chase scenes. The Blues Brothers, Ronin, and The Bourne Identity are all right up there. But we like The French Connection for the top spot -- after all, any film that took home the Oscar for Best Picture must have done something right.
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