British news site counts down the greatest car chases in movies

Posted Monday, November 24, 2008 at 8:43 PM Central

by Tim Briscoe

Putting a car chase in a movie is sure-fire way to get an audience's blood pumping. That is, if a car chase is done right.

If the director can piece together cinematography, stunt driving, score and editing, they have the basis for a powerful film experience. If they fail, they've got a car sequence no more thrilling than Driving Miss Daisy.

London's Times Online recently ranked the 20 best car chases in movie history. This list compiles some of the greatest adrenaline rides ever filmed. Below are movies 15 through one. Check out their site for the remainder. They also provide some excellent commentary on each of their choices.

15. To Live & Die in L.A.
14. The Cannonball Run
13. Gone in 60 Seconds
12. McQ
11. The Matrix Reloaded
10. Quantum of Solace
9. T2: Judgment Day
8. Vanishing Point
7. The Blues Brothers
6. Ronin
5. The Road Warrior (a.k.a. Mad Max 2)
4. The Bourne Identity
3. The French Connection
2. The Italian Job
1. Bullitt

I'm honestly surprised chase through London in Ronin didn't rank higher. Here is the famous scene from that movie. That'll play well on Blu-ray when it arrives on Feb. 24.