5 Most Iconic Film and TV Shows Featuring Dodge Muscle Cars
Movies have played a major role in the way the public views muscle cars. If you're a fan of Dodge, you should make a point of checking out these classic examples.
1. Vanishing Point
Vanishing Point, released in 1971, is arguably tied with Gone in 60 Seconds as the quintessential car-sploitation film of the 1970s. The movie is a perfect encapsulation of everything that makes muscle cars so cool. The decision to use a 1970 Dodge Challenger as its main star car was an inspired choice; it looks like exactly the kind of road demon that could go up against the world and even possibly win. A movie like Vanishing Point probably stands as the best 90 minute commercial Dodge could have ever hoped to have for the Challenger.
2. The Fast and the Furious Franchise
The original Fast and Furious movie featured Vin Diesel's character in a certain iconic Dodge Charger, and the series hasn't looked back since. It's somewhat surprising that a franchise like this has manged to keep itself relatively fresh where so many other blockbusters have failed with the first sequel. If we're speaking of Vin Diesel's Dodge Charger(s), its coolest showcase is arguably saved for the sixth film. Seven Charger Daytonas were made for the film. Three survived. We'd shed a tear for the sacrifice of the movie cars that offered up their bodies for high-stakes action, but at least the damage shows they weren't pulling punches with the awesome stunts, which live on film forever. The Fast and the Furious movies may be geared towards a mainstream audience, but there's plenty for hardcore auto fans to dig and enjoy.
3. The Dukes of Hazzard
The Dukes of Hazzard was originally a TV show featuring the iconic orange Dodge Charger "General Lee" in many a heated chase sequence. Over 300 different Chargers were reportedly used over the course of the series run. Perhaps it's cheating to talk about a show in a movie list, but the General Lee did get a chance to shine on the big screen with the 2005 film adaptation of the series. While the movie itself didn't translate as well into a feature as some might have hoped, it's hard not to feel some joyous nostalgia seeing the orange Charger ripping through the backwater roads again. Just like the good old days.
4. Bullitt
The 1968 film Bullitt offers a masterclass in action sequence direction and editing with its pivotal car chase; easily one of the finest ever filmed. While Steve McQueen's green Ford Mustang fastback stands out the most as one of cinema's iconic cars, good attention should be given to the other half of the chase. The antagonist's 1968 Dodge Charger 440 was a perfect choice as a menacing foe for McQueen's character. The tension and build-up to the chase's climactic finale is one of the most engaging scenes action filmmaking has got to offer.
5. Death Proof
Quentin Tarantino's love letter to classic car movies, Death Proof, wasn't a great movie in most respects. However, the final car chase between two Dodge cars is a joy to watch. Kurt Russell's '69 Charger chases, and is subsequently chased by a 1970 Challenger, notably a replica of the iconic muscle car used in Vanishing Point. Considering that these are two of Dodge's most classic and well-loved models, it's an absolute must-see for Dodge fans, and considering the chase itself lasts a full twenty minutes, it may be worth sitting through the movie's slow parts to get to.
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