You’ll Believe A Car Can Fly!
This image is from one of the best car chases ever committed to film – shot in the early 70’s on the real mean streets of New York!
There were a number of great films from this era that really captured the look and feel of the times – here Is one action classic!
THE SEVEN UPS. 1973.
You want a muscular crime thriller? Start with Roy Scheider and “The Seven Ups”, a terrific action film with one of the best car chases in New York City history!
Here is the plot of “The Seven Ups”: New York City cops wage a war against assorted hoods and criminals after one of their own is brutally killed by a hoodlum. “Seven-Ups” refers to the minimum jail time each of the crooks will have to spend if they are caught.
They, of course, do NOT want to get caught, which is why you have one of the great “streets of New York” car chases ever!
Produced and directed by Philip D’Antoni, who also produced “The French Connection” and “Bullitt”, two other films with legendary car chases!
“The Seven-Ups” was a story by NYPD detective Sonny Grosso, who star Roy Scheider played in “The French Connection.”
Check Out “The Seven Ups” Trailer!
The car chase in “The Seven Ups” so so good that the entire ten-minute sequence can be found on YouTube, and I have that for you but don’t let that stop you from watching the entire film – this is a great police drama all the way through…
The film’s crew included Bill Hickman, who had orchestrated the car chases of both earlier films as stunt coordinator, as well as music by Don Ellis, whose French Connection soundtrack won a Grammy.
Finally, both Scheider and co-star Tony Lo Bianco returned in similar roles to their French Connection originals, playing respectively a rogue cop and scheming low-level mobster.
Terrific character Actor Joe Spinell is here as well, doing what he does best: another tough guy – like when he gets interrogated by the cops.
Toredano the Garage Man: “Look at my hands.” (He shows puffy, gnarled fingers to the Cops) “I’ve been here before, so do what you gotta do. I didn’t talk then, and I won’t talk now.”
Here is the chase scene!
Wow!
This was named one of the 5 best movie car chases of all time in one poll!
This is a terrific example of a 70’s film: gritty, a slower pace than modern action audiences are used to, but a terrific cast who excels in parts big and small…here’s another example of a classic 70’s film:
Robert Mitchum is terrific as a lowly member of the Boston Mob…just trying to hang on…click here to see the trailer and more:
One more as a bonus:
Forget the awful remake and book a ticket for this 70’s thriller!
Click here for the trailer and more!
Yes, the veteran Character Actor was known for his comedic roles, but he had a run of great 70’s action as well – here are details:
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Let me know if you’ve seen this great 70’s action film!
Categories: 70's Cinema, Action Films, Cult Movies, Film Fight Club, Great Films, Movies, New York, Obscure Movies, Talent/Celebrities
johnrieber 
I’ve always felt this chase as the Number 1 of all-time. I saw this film.when it first came out, at a drive-in.
I’m originally from San Francisco, and a lot of people from this area still contend that ‘Bullitt’ is the greatest. Even most of them have never seen or heard of ‘The Seven-Ups’
But their choice is based more on nostalgia from the various locations in “The City” Many of those locations have changed, or no longer exist.
I think the part where the bad guys blow the hood off Buddy’s Pontiac, was one of the best. And no special effects. I always point out the end of the chase, with Buddy’s car embedded under the rear of the semi; as a show-stopper.
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Completely agree! It’s no knock against “Bullitt” but that ending to the chase is a heart-stopping shock, and the entire sequence is beautifully done – thanks for the comment!
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A film for the boys they love a good car chase me not so much…:) x
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I’ve never heard of Seven-Ups before, John. It sounds great.
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A classic 70’s film: gritty crime action drama shot of the street of New York, so it’s a great time capsule of that time…
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On the edge of your seat car chase!
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Yes…I’ve had some folks say the case with Steve McQueen in “Bullitt” was better – it might be, but it’s from 1968 and I was highlighting 70’s films….either way, they are terrific moments in cinema!
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Yes!
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ooh, i never have seen this and i love a good car chase!
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You hit me right in the feels! I do tend to gravitate to the films of the seventies, which were released just after the fall of the studio system, but before the big corporate takeovers of the 80s, and the movies really reflected that. The seventies are where a lot of the best movie tropes began!
The Friends of Eddie Coyle is one of my big Robert Mitchum faves, along with The Yakuza!
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I bought The Yakusa a few years ago on DVd – he is such a legendary Actor – thanks for commenting!
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I have seen The 7-Ups, and it’s a great action film. I still prefer the car chase in Bullitt, and it’s worth noting that the man driving the criminal’s car is the same guy in both films. Check out his glasses. 🙂
Best wishes, Pete.
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That’s a great point Pete…as for Bullitt, I dont reference it because it’s not a 70’s film….but having walked those hills of San Francisco it is indeed a classic!
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II understand that. Many great car chases followed, but that one really stuck with me. 🙂
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