Look out for Death Race, the latest Jason Statham vehicle, which raises the car chase bar...behind bars.

Matthew Taylor, Hong Kong, Hong Kong

Fear is the Key - probably as good as Ronin i.e both joint number 1 in my list!
Also worth a mention: The Driver; Hell Drivers, and of course Rendezvous

Nigel Roberts, Milton Keynes, UK

Where's the one that started them all: the climax of Don Seigel's The Line Up?

David, Saskatoon, Canada

Don't forget the Australian cult classic Malcolm (1986), starring Colin Friels and filmed in Melbourne. The getaway car (one of Malcolm's surreal inventions) is so unexpected, you can't help but smile when Malcolm is being pursued by the police. Watch it - I don't want to spoil it for you

Ann Chamley, Brooklyn, USA

Putting Bullitt at number 1 is the predictable knee jerk reaction tht is so common to an industry that still says Citizen Kane is the best film ever. Bullit really does struggle to be in this list at all. Anyhow, doesn't everyone find the green VW bettle annoying after its 20th appearance??

jonnie, London,

In "The Great Escape" Steve McQueen escape attempt on motorcycle, Steve played both himself and the Nazis because they couldn't find anyone else good enough on a motorcycle to make the chase look good!

Alexander, Toronto, Canada

Subway

You have forgotten Christopher Lambert being chased in Subway underground as well as on road an indoors where a Peugot 205 should not drive. Very stylish direction by Jean-Jacques Beineix .

j sinisgalli, Melbourne, Australia

Although not strictly a car chase, the speeder bike chase in Return of the Jedi is still as exhilarating as any car chase I've seen since.

Bisa Amoo-Gottfried, Purley,

Anyone? "Rendezvous" ?The real deal-no CGI-no fakes or cuts.

George, Toledo, USA

Bullitt. It's been the best and will be very hard to beat.

Randy, west bend,

The car race in this season's Entourage between Ari in a Ferrari and the other fellow in a Porsche is not bad for a TV show.

MIKE , NYC, USA

"To those who said "The Seven Ups": Yes, absolutely!
And what about "The Driver"? TWO fabulous car scenes (although only one was really a chase.)"

Yes to both!

Rich, Lancaster,

To those who said "The Seven Ups": Yes, absolutely!
And what about "The Driver"? TWO fabulous car scenes (although only one was really a chase.)

Mark , New York,

What about "The Seven Ups"?

MZ, Newland, US

What about Jade? A horrible movie, but even the critics who panned it said to go see it just for the car chase scene.

KJ, Las Vegas,

What about "The Seven-Ups" with Roy Schneider? The only part of that movie I saw once on tv was the car chase and it was excellent.

Mathew, AB, Canada

Bullitt contains the most overrated car chase in movie history. It's poorly edited and dubbed over with loud squeals to make it sound exciting. McQueen's car also loses six hubcaps throughout the chase. While it has some merit because its old and because McQueen looks good, it doesn't hold up.

Brigham, Salt Lake City, USA

'Crazy Larry and Dirty Mary' w/Peter Fonda deserves an honorable mention, IMHO, as well as 'Thunder Road' w/Robert Mitchem. Other then that, I think the list is fairly complete. Everyone has their own opinion as to how the sequence should be. I think #1 -Bulllit. #2 'Gone in 60 Seconds"

Jim K, Sequim, WA, USA

I think Striking Distance is worth a mention with a superb car chase in it.

Eric Tsao, Hong Kong, Hong Kong

where's the" Driver', it's only like the best driving movie ever, next to Ronin, also another unknown great is from the Tokyo speedway series movie , its either 1 or 2, were a young guy is trying to break the freeway record only to be chased by a cop almost the whole run at speeds well over 240+.

sheamus, richmond, BC, canada

One more Bond chase. . Sean Connery's Mustang driving in Diamonds Are Forever as he tips a Mustang onto two wheels and slides away leaving about 20+ sherriff's cruisers in ruins. A fun and almost silly chase, it speaks more to stunts than flat out mayhem;personal favorites, Bullitt and Ronin.

chris, Ohio, Usa

No mention of "Diva" which has a nice chase scene with the hero riding a moped through the streets and the Parisien Metro chased by the crooked cops. No CGI - but stylish and utterly gripping.

Chris Cox, Dublin, Ireland

I am glad the Blues Brothers are in there, they have some legendary car chases and definately the biggest pile ups!

Margaret, Scarborough,

A little disappointed not seeing Tarantino's "Death Proof" up there

Dylan, Liverpool,

I'm sorry but as a biker there is only one icon - Steve McQueen in The Great Escape I'm on the edge of my seat urging Steve and that old Triumph over the barb wire fence into Switzerland.

Colin Booth, Dubai, UAE

Hehe! (Kris, Los Angeles, USA) I agree completely. Quantum of Solace was shocking with the car chase scene. The cars were never given any room in the camera frame with pointless closeups confusing the hell out of everyone. The Bourne 'handheld, in-the-moment' approach taken ten steps too far!

Marko, Sydney, Australia

This must be a "guy thing".
For most women, any time there's a car chase on screen, it's time to get more popcorn. Who wants to waste money watching explosions and crashes we can see on the news for free?
Car chase scenes are there to disguise the fact that the screenwriter ran out of script!

Catherine, New York, USA

Death race 2000 and Le Mans. Now, let that be an end to it.

Stu, Weston Super Mare, UK

The Dark Knight and Quantum of Solace had car chase scenes? I don't remember seeing any in those films as I was too busy trying to suppress my motion sickness and not have an epileptic fit in the cinema...

Kris, Los Angeles, USA

the way of the gun. period.

matt smith, charlotte,

How 'bout the "7 UP'S" starring Roy Scheider. C'mon! That car chase should be in the Top 10!

Clooney, Raleigh, USA

Clarkson said it best, the British do not understand car chases.

AL, San Diego, USA

Ronin should win this one hands down, though I can live with these!

Jens, Gent, Belgium

Don't forget The Gumball Rally....

Kevin, California, US

The original Mad Max has better chases than the better-known Road Warrior sequel. Indeed, the film is book-ended by two of the best set-pieces in cinema history - particularly in terms of editing and cinematography. George Miller and Dean Semler won their Oscars in the US but cut their teeth here.

Wade, Sydney, Australia

Better chases than most listed - Fear Is the Key (Vanishing Point's Barry Newman!), Blazing Magnums (INCREDIBLE, may be the best chase ever), Cannonball (David Carradine), Smokey Bites The Dust (for real - watch it for the chases), Dirty Mary Crazy Larry, Seven-Ups, White Line Fever, Convoy, MANY mo

Steven, NYC,

No mention of the original 1974 'Gone in 60 Seconds'. The last half of the film is one insane 40-minute car chase.

How's nobody mentioned this so far?

John, Johnston, Republic of Johnland

Bullitt? come on, have you ever counted the amount of time ol' Steve passes that green beetle?

chris schofield, Grays, Essex

Quantum of Solace!!! A bond car chase with no gadgets was just so boring. Also note the Aston Martin with one occupant could not outrun a full Alfa Romeo! They tried to make it real but made it stupid at the same time. Stick too the good old stuff next time and let Q make a few adjustments.

Jason Marchant, London,

cool article. thanks

Odile, Les Andelys, France

It's not exactly a car chase, but the classic 10 minute ride through the early morning Paris streets in "Rendezvous" should be considered.

Matthew, London,

So where is the Bourne Supremacy? Probably a slightly better chase than Identity.

Murray Aitken, Carlisle, UK

The greatest car chase I've ever seen is from one of the most underrated thrillers of 90s and perhaps of all time - 'Breakdown', starring Kurt Russell.
Without giving it away, this film builds up suspense brilliantly and blew me away with an unexpected car chase that nearly took me off my seat.

Chris, Solihull, England

Oh, please. Bullitt? Again? How many gears do those cars have? Even more than a Lexus! Unrealistic and speeded-up.

What about What's Up Doc and It's a Mad Mad Mad Mad World. Great chases and funny too.

Nobby Clark, Perth, the Scottish one,

I can't believe no one remembers the stunning police chase through London from Stanley Baker's 60s movie Robbery. After all, it won Peter Yates the job of directing Bullitt !
Its virtual unavailability on video or dvd hasn't done it any favours, of course. A lost classic.

Bill T Storey, Taunton, GB

Three obvious chases, or at least car sequences have been missed:

Duel - with Dennis Weaver being monstered by an Oil truck.

Wallace and Gromit and the curse of the were-rabbit - the animated dynamics and details displayed by W&G's A35 van when being towed by the monster bunny is worth studying. It's probably the most honest and accurate portrayal of a 'chase' ever.

Le Mans - it was panned at the box office and by the movie media, but Le Mans' high-speed Porsche 917 sequences were brilliant and while it's not a 'chase' per se, it should be on the list for the 917's engine note alone.

Dave, Christchurch, New Zealand

Excellent choices. Much better than the american version of the job.
My own favorites: Bullit & Bourne

paul zugasti, Juarez, Mexico

I would move number three to number one, an obvious manouvre

Peter, warrington, Cheshire

What about BAD BOYS 1, Co Starring that Legendary Porsche 911 (964) Turbo 3.6 vs thE Shelby AC Cobra?????

Divi, Johannesburg, South Africa

I am sorry - still reeling from this remark: 'A career-defining role for Gene Hackman who might otherwise be remembered as the comedy villain in the Superman movies..'
Clearly a different Gene Hackman from the one in The Conversation, Unforgiven, Get Shorty, Royal Tenenbaums, Another Woman, etc, etc

Alan Thomas, Canterbury, UK

Beverley Hills Cop opening scene has a truck chased by police ploughing through many cars; great stuff! Incredible Blues brothers chase down Wacker drive will never, ever, be repeated in that city again. Quantum of Solace didn't even rate, the camera work showed no context, only shaking.

Peter, Sydney, Australia

To live and die in LA number 15!.....The film that bought driving down a LA freeway the wrong way, lead matrix reloaded to emulate as others have, a true sign of greatness!

Peter, London,

Ronin has to be the number 1 for me. Simply awesome...

Simon McAuley, Sydney, Australia

To Michael in Cannes- the chase scenes in the Matrix Reloaded were actually filmed in my hometown (Alameda, CA) where they built the section of highway. As a high school student nearby we often heard the explosions coming from the decommissioned naval base during lunchtime...

Carolyn, London, UK

Why not the movie Dirty Mary/Crazy Larry which featured Peter Fonda,Adam Roarke,Susan George and Vic Morrow.And a very bad 69 Charger R/T.Also another was The California Kid with Martin Sheen and Vic Morrow.Another good car movie was Aloha Bobby and Rose.

Buddy, Texas, U.S.A.

Quite right Dondons! "What's up doc?" contained the best and probably most copied car chase through the streets of San Fransico ever. How many other car chases here include a chinese dragon, glassfitters and end up with all of the characters driving into the bay?

Genius stuff

Mark, cardiff,

The one that ALWAYS fails to get mentioned (not surprisingly though) is from the obscure 1976 Canadian-Italian police thriller 'Blazing Magnum' starring Martin Landau, Stuart Whitman and Gayle Hunicutt. A pursued baddie and chasing cop (Whitman) literally lay waste to downtown Montreal. A classic!

Neil, Wembley, England

What about The Seven Ups with Roy Scheider ? Check it out !

Joe, USA,

Must say, wasn't too impressed with Bullit, though now knowing it was McQueen the whole time kind of changes that

Randy, Adelaide, Australia

The Castle of Cagliostro has what is probably the greatest car chase on film. The fact the movie is animated shouldn't disqualify it... the car chase is just as real as any computer-generated car chase in modern live-action films.

Jim, Sydney,

Whatever happened to Duel ? Would have to be my No. 1

Russell, Sydney, Australia

These are all action movies. Don't forget 'Against All Odds'. It's a terrible love story / adventure, but it does have the greatest urban car chase through packed roads.

Donald Rodriguez, Ormond Beach Florida, USA

I'm waiting for the movie version of "Wacky Races" with Richard Jenkins and his Greenbird... and I reckon Duffy would make a great Penelope Pitstop!

Wardy, Manilva, Spain

One that always gets missed (but not surprisingly) is from obscure 1976 Canadian-Italian thriller 'Blazing Magnum', starring Martin Landau, Stuart Whitman and Gayle Hunnicutt. In it, pursued baddie and chasing cop (Whitman) utterly lay waste to downtown Montreal! A true gem and worth hunting down.

Neil , Wembley, England

Bullitt...c'mon!!!. Where's the beef in this car chase? I've seen better chases on 'Britains's best police videos'. I wouldnt even rate this in the top 5 let alone #1....
Just 'cos its got McQueen doesnt make it some awesome chase. Ronin or the Italian Job win hands down.'

stevie, England,

Surely C'était un rendez vous should get a mention

Guy, London, UK

Got to say Death Proof has to be in the top 5. If not for the first part of the car chase but for the second part at least.

Tom , Petersfield,

Quantum of Solace? Get real! The only "recent" film that should have made it into the top 20 is Ronin which should be at or very close to the top of the list - anything using CGI or just plain lame such as Gone in 60 Seconds belongs in the deep bin of most embarrassing car chases in movie history.

Martin, Leeds, England

I must say, if i'd seen 'Bad Boys 2' BEFORE the deadline for this piece, it would have been in!

Michael, Wapping,

How about The Sugarland Express (1974), with Goldie Hawn in charge of the dynamic - the slowest car chase ever seen?

Michael, Kangaroo Point, Australia

Have you heard of Steve McQueen!!!

coombs, bath , UK

You should also add that Bullit proves there is life after death. The baddies crash into the filling station and explode in flame, but look left and you see the car reappearing from behind the buildings........how many of the others can raise the dead?

Ian Dale, London, UK

And has everyone forgotten "Thunder Road"? Moonshiners vs the Revenue boys. Several classic '50s era extended car chase scenes. About 2/3s a great movie but the last reel sucked.

peter , Seattle,

Another vote for "Against All Odds". The Porsche/Ferrari duel through heavy LA traffic was heart-stoppingly realistic.

Dennis, Berkshire, UK

Two-Lane Blacktop. Although more a road movie than a car chase (there is a race). This has to be considered one of the great car movies of all time.

Able, Chicago,

How about Bad Boys II where they are dirving on the highway in Miami and cars are being hurled at them. They dodge the flipping cars as they whiz by their heads. That was a sick car chase.

Zach, Orlando,

The Gumball Rally 1976 race in the LA river is way better than that cannonball run nonsense.

Lance, Ocala, USA

"Deathproof" is in the top five. It's hard to believe all the "me-too" car chases from recent films made the list. Bullitt is great, and it was the first modern car chase, but the Road Warrior chase was the absolute best by all measures.

Dave Hearn, Fort Dodge, United States

Blues Bros #1

crod, san antonio,

Er, where's Duel?

Andy, Bournemouth, UK

Probably not needing to be on the list as one of "The Best", but I would certainly include Detective "Dirty" Harry Callahan's jaunt through San Francisco with the bomb-rigged remote control toy car from 1988's THE DEAD POOL as certainly one of the "Most Fun".

Patrick, Atlanta,

One of the most spectacular chases is in Terminator 3, where a huge crane chases the hero through the streets taking Arnie through buildings on the hook at the end of the boom. Climax is when Arnie drops the hook down a manhole to cause the mobile crane to flip as he hops to the chased van. OTT ;-)

Mark, London,

Matrix's chase scene was actually filmed not in Australia, but on a new, then unopened section of the Nimitz Freeway in Oakland, California...

Michael Gittins, Cannes, France

1. The Bourne Supremacy

2. Matrix Reloaded

3. Ronin

Nik, Philadelphia, USA

I'm absolutely shocked that The Times neglects to mention that The Duke drove in a car-chase scene through the streets of London in "Brannigan."

T. J. Cassidy, Arlington, Virginia, U.S.A.

Cool list - Right when it needs to be, funny when it wants to be. Love it

Laura, San Diego, USA

Matrix Reloaded correction. The highway chase sequences were filmed at the former Alameda Naval Air Station across the Bay from San Francisco, and not in Australia.

Paul M, Marin, USA

I agree with comments here that Sean Connery and Nic Cage in The Rock is a notable omission, especially as several chosen you say aren't even car chases.

John Kench, Chelmsford, UK

Though not really a car chase the ending of the original Pink Panther with the Minis circling in front of bemused spectators
deserves an honorable mention.

peter greenberg, san francisco, usa

The car chases in "Bonnie and Clyde" are not spectacular except that they have Faye Dunaway!!

james phillips, durham, united States

No Bourne Supremacy? Then I know this list is not worth my time. Maybe not the top 5 but at least the top 10.

Brad, lakeland,

Film Fan
The non-speaking guy driving the chase car in Bullitt and the Seven-Ups was the actual stunt driver.He also did almost all the stunts in Bullitt's Mustang. McQueen nearly wiped out trying a stunt early on in the sequence - and it's still in the film - but the stunt guy drove the rest.

Murph, London,

Nice to see that "Ronin" made the list. Great choice. And someone's suggestion of "White Lightning" is truly inspired. Mine would be for "Fear Is The Key", using the "Vanishing Point" star Barry Newman. And i love the auto element of Sam Peckinpah's "Getaway", though not strictly a car-chase.

peter koeb, aljezur, portugal

The chase scene in the 7-Ups from the 70s (with Roy Schieder) definitely deserves a place on this list! It makes McQ look like a bunch of old ladies driving to church.

Roger Pence, San Antonio,

All car chases don't have to be long, they just have to get your blood boiling at least for the nice looking cars. Case in point, Goldeneye. I love that beginning playful scene with Xenia and James.
The original Batman in '89 when they show the batmobile for the first time Vicki Vale etc...

aitor, chicago, USA

Also Lethal Weapon 4 and 3 have pretty cool car chases.
And for futuristic fans The Phantom Menace extended Pod Race, that was pretty hot.

aitor, chicago, us

How about the chase in The Rock? Sean Connery's Humvee vs Nicolas Cage's Ferrari against the San Francisco background and Hans Zimmerman's score and excellent editing.

Ted, London, UK

you forgot 'what's up Doc'

dondons, Romford, UK

The Driver (1978) with Ryan O'Neal is definitely top 3, and 'The Seven Up's' (1972) starring Roy Schneider. Saying that the Seven Up's was probably trying to copy Bullit, in that the driver of the villain's vehicle borrowed the same actor (non speaking role once again I believe).

Film fan, London, Englan

Any list of great car chases that doesn't include the chase from 'The Seven-Ups' is worthless.

DW, Syracuse, USA

Great list
I'd have to say, even though it was brief, the amazing car chase scene of 'Children of Men' deserves a spot on this list, if only for the way it was filmed.

Sean, Omaha, U.S.A.

Freebie and the Bean . . . . good call! That is one film which altends to get overlooked in the car chase stakes.

Another is White Lightning (1973), pitting a moonshine-running Burt Reynolds against Ned Beatty's (very convincing) corrupt sheriff. Full of 429 cubic inch Ford LTDs . . . great stuff.

Keith Darby, Cleckheaton, UK

What about the famous 10 minute Jean Paul Belmondo chase in The Burglars (1971)? Or his chase in Le Professionel (1981)? They don't rate? I guess anyone who thinks the spectacular car chase in Friedkin's To Live & Die in L.A. is only worthy of the no. 15 ranking has never been chased.

LR, Victoria B.C.,

Not bad but I'd exclude anything with CGI (apart from Quantum of Solace's car chase, which is both brief and brilliant). Honourable exceptions would be Against All Odds, For Your Eyes Only and The Love Bug.

Paul, Aberdeen, Scotland