The best automotive movies for the lockdown

Let’s start by saying that we deeply appreciate everyone who is following the government lockdown orders. That said, this lockdown has been one long boring vacation that we wish ends sooner rather than later. Today we have a list of auto movies that will help you pass time and satisfy your inner petrol head during the lockdown. Given below, in no particular order, are some we think are totally worth a watch... or two.

Bullitt (1968)

Bullitt is a 1968 American action thriller directed by Peter Yates and produced by Philip D'Antoni. Legendary Steve McQueen stars as Frank Bullitt, a tough San Francisco police lieutenant assigned to protect a mob witness. The star of the movie, a 1968 Mustang Fastback, was sold at Mecum Auctions for a record $3.4 million ($3.7 million including auction fees) on 10 January 2020.

The Italian Job (1969)

The Italian Job is a 1969 British comedy caper film, written by Troy Kennedy Martin, produced by Michael Deeley, and directed by Peter Collinson. The movie or the job is a plan to steal a gold shipment from the streets of Turin by creating a traffic jam. Using three Mini Coopers, a couple of Jaguars, and a bus, the goal is to bring Torino to a standstill, steal the gold, and escape.

Le Mans (1971)

Le Mans is a 1971 film featuring a fictional 24-Hour Le Mans auto race starring Steve McQueen. Directed by Lee H. Katzin, it features actual footage captured during the 1970 race. In focus is the duel between German Stahler in Ferrari 512LM and American Delaney in Gulf Team Porsche 917.

Gone in 60 Seconds (2000)

Gone in 60 Seconds is an American action heist film starring Nicolas Cage as a retired master car thief who must come back to the industry and steal 50 cars with his crew in one night to save his brother's life. These cars include fast Lamborghinis, precious Ferraris, luxurious Porsches, and Eleanor—a rare Ford Shelby Mustang GT500.

 

The Fast & The Furious: Tokyo Drift (2001)

The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift is a 2006 American action film directed by Justin Lin. It stars Mitsubishi Evo 9, Nissan Silva, Ford Mustang, RX 7, Toyota Chaser, Lucas Black, Bow Wow, Nathalie Kelly, Sung Kang, Sonny Chiba. The F&F franchise has now become no less than a superhero movie where Dominic Toretto and his family save the world from different threats. Tokyo Drift was different as it brought tuner cars and drifting to international exposure. It was a no-nonsense story driven by some of the best cars in the tuner world that created an exclusive car culture.

The World's Fastest Indian (2005)

The World's Fastest Indian is a 2005 New Zealand biographical sports drama film based on the story of New Zealander Burt Munro played by the extraordinaire Anthony Hopkins, who spent years rebuilding a 1920 Indian motorcycle. This helped him set the land speed world record at Utah's Bonneville Salt Flats in 1967.

Senna (2010)

Senna is a 2010 British documentary that depicts the life and death of Brazilian motor-racing champion and driving legend Ayrton Senna. Directed by Asif Kapadia, it shows Ayrton Senna become a three-time Formula One racing champion and Brazil's national hero before his untimely death at 34.

TT: Closer to The Edge (2011)

TT: Closer to the Edge is a British documentary by first-time director Richard de Aragues. The film is narrated by Jared Leto and charts the Isle of Man TT motorcycle race that takes place on the Isle of Man every year. It follows the leading riders in the 2010 race, most notably Guy Martin and Ian Hutchinson. Motorcycle racers reveal their motivation for competing for the Isle of Man Tourist Trophy, after what is the most dangerous and deadly race in the sport.

Rush (2013)

Rush is a 2013 biographical sports film centered on the rivalry between Formula One drivers British James Hunt and Austrian Niki Lauda during the 1976 season. Hunt and Lauda, two extremely skilled racers, have an intense rivalry. Their mutual enmity that pushes them to their limits.

Need for Speed (2014)

Need for Speed is a 2014 sports action thriller film directed and co-edited by Scott Waugh, and written by George and John Gatins. It is the film adaptation of the racing video game franchise of the same name by Electronic Arts. Fresh from prison, a street racer (Aaron Paul) who was framed by a wealthy business associate joins a cross-country race. His purpose: redemption, recognition from the world of racing, and solving his problems. But above all, revenge. This is a story about love, redemption, revenge, and motor oil, all swirled together.

Ford V Ferrari (2019)

Ford v Ferrari is a 2019 American sports drama film directed by James Mangold and written by Jez Butterworth, John-Henry Butterworth, and Jason Keller. American automotive designer Carroll Shelby and fearless British race car driver Ken Miles battle corporate interference, the laws of physics, and their own personal demons to build a revolutionary vehicle for the Ford Motor Co. Together, they plan to compete against the race cars of Enzo Ferrari at the 24-Hour Le Mans in France in 1966.