"The Driver" is a specialist in a rare business: he drives getaway cars in robberies. His exceptional talent prevented him from being caught yet. After another successful flight from the ...
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Title: The Driver (1978)
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Cast
| Cast overview, first billed only: | |||
| Ryan O'Neal | ... | ||
| Bruce Dern | ... | ||
| Isabelle Adjani | ... |
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Plot Summary
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Storyline
"The Driver" is a specialist in a rare business: he drives getaway cars in robberies. His exceptional talent prevented him from being caught yet. After another successful flight from the police, a self-assured detective makes it his primary goal to catch the Driver. He promises remission of punishment to a gang if they help to convict him in a set-up robbery. The Driver seeks help from "The Player" (Isabelle) to mislead the detective. Written by Tom Zoerner <[email protected]>
Taglines:
To break the driver, the cop was willing to break the law. See more »Certificate:
See all certifications »Parents Guide:
View content advisory »
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See full technical specs »
Details
Language:
EnglishRelease Date:
11 October 1978 (UK) See more »Also Known As:
Ha-Na'hug See more »Company Credits
Show detailed
company contact information
on
IMDbPro »
Technical Specs
Runtime:
| (director's cut)Sound Mix:
MonoColor:
ColorAspect Ratio:
1.85 : 1
Edit
The Player: You didn't come up here to tell me that.
The Detective: You saw the man in the car. And you saw the man against the brick wall. And you know it's the same man. Yet you didn't identify him. Are you afraid of him?
The Player: No.
The Detective: Are you afraid of me?
The Player: No. I just don't like you.
See more »
(uncredited)
Written by Gerry Goffin and Carole King
Attributed to Linda Ronstadt (http://everything.explained.at/One_Fine_Day_(song)); original version by The Chiffons
Heard just prior to the first chase
See more »
Did You Know?
Trivia
Cheryl Smith had a sizable co-starring role in the original longer cut of the film, but the subplot involving her character wound up being excised and subsequently all of her scenes got cut out as well. Director Walter Hill regretted cutting these scenes and spoke favorably about Smith's acting skills. See more »Goofs
During the first chase, the driver swings to the right, bumping the police car running next to him solidly broadside (judging by the sound effect), causing it so slide out and crash into a pile of sacks of cement. But in the next shots, we can see the police car's left side and the driver's car's right side clearly, and neither car shows any sign that they made contact. See more »Quotes
The Detective: Nice Place. Terrific view. Wow.The Player: You didn't come up here to tell me that.
The Detective: You saw the man in the car. And you saw the man against the brick wall. And you know it's the same man. Yet you didn't identify him. Are you afraid of him?
The Player: No.
The Detective: Are you afraid of me?
The Player: No. I just don't like you.
See more »
Soundtracks
One Fine Day(uncredited)
Written by Gerry Goffin and Carole King
Attributed to Linda Ronstadt (http://everything.explained.at/One_Fine_Day_(song)); original version by The Chiffons
Heard just prior to the first chase
See more »
How underrated is Walter Hill?! 'The Driver' is one of his least known movies to a mainstream audience, but one of his best loved among fans. It's one of the greatest action movies I've ever seen, with car chases as exciting as any filmed before or since. The characters are all archetypes and named after their roles. There's no traditional character development here, but the actors and the action get the point across. Ryan O'Neal plays a getaway driver, the best in his field. Bruce Dern is the cop obsessed with catching him. He's willing to do anything to do so, even setting him up. I'm a major fan of Dern. I think he's one of the most interesting Hollywood actors and 'The Driver' is yet another great performance from him an a career filled with them ('The Wild Angels', 'Bloody Mama', 'Silent Running', 'Coming Home',etc.etc.) And Ryan O'Neal, an actor I've never warmed to, is surprisingly effective is a role originally intended for Steve McQueen. Plus you get Isabelle Adjani ('The Tenant'), always a pleasure to watch. I'd put 'The Driver' up there with the original versions of 'Vanishing Point', 'The Getaway' and 'Gone In 60 Seconds' as the most underrated action thrillers of the 1970s. Why it has yet to be remade is a mystery, but hoping it isn't as it will undoubtedly suck. Hollywood just seems to have lost the ability to make these kinds of movies. 'The Driver' is expertly directed by Walter Hill, who also scripted. Also check out 'The Warriors' and 'Southern Comfort' for the best of Hill. He's a hell of a film maker and rarely gets the attention he deserves.