Danielle Solzman
Jacqueline Bisset spoke about working with Steve McQueen prior to this weekend’s airing of Bullitt during the 2021 TCM Classic Film Festival.
Produced on a $4 million budget, Bullitt would go on to earn just north of $42 million at the box office after its 1968 opening. The film is also notable for featuring one of the most iconic car chase scenes in cinematic history. It has been spoofed or paid homage time and time again. Frank P. Keller took home an Oscar for Best Film Editing while the film also earned a Sound nomination. Across the pond, the film earned five nominations at the BAFTA Awards.
This weekend’s screening will feature a new conversation filmed between Bisset and TCM host Eddie Muller.
What was it like getting to work with Steve McQueen on Bullitt?
Jacqueline Bisset: It was good. We worked well together. He was very kind, very patient. He was a bit hyper during the shoot because it was his first production. He would sort of rushed up to me and speak in sort of hip American lingo that I didn’t really understand. Talk about soul chicks and dudes and I was a bit off in that didn’t really know. But starting with the screen test with him, he was very, very patient and I felt that he listened and he was supportive. It was a good experience and Peter Yates, the director, was also very supportive.
