05-03-2008, 12:31
McQueen was quite heavily into his own image by that period of his career. He wanted the sound of the engines and gears to be prominent i.e. make his character's driving look good, and not overshadowed by the music. Because he had the clout he had, that's what he got. I don't know whether or not the director and composer would have reached the same decision on their own.
Incidentally, speaking of car chases involving Steve McQueen, there's a beauty in his last film, The Hunter, which is set in a wheatfield. McQueen is driving a Trans-Am and is being chased by a combine harvester. Sounds ridiculous, but it's not.
The best music for a McQueen film has to be a tie between The Magnificent Seven and The Great Escape, both by the late, great Elmer Bernstein.
Incidentally, speaking of car chases involving Steve McQueen, there's a beauty in his last film, The Hunter, which is set in a wheatfield. McQueen is driving a Trans-Am and is being chased by a combine harvester. Sounds ridiculous, but it's not.
The best music for a McQueen film has to be a tie between The Magnificent Seven and The Great Escape, both by the late, great Elmer Bernstein.