Steve McQueen was a legendary figure both on and off the screen, and his best movies demonstrate how action and thrill rides were as much a part of his professional life as they were his personal. McQueen’s story is one marred by tragedy, as he passed away at only 50 years old, but in that time, he made an unforgettable mark on the world. His films were adventurous, exciting, and imbued with true human empathy, as McQueen was himself. It’s unlikely that McQueen and his contributions to cinema will ever go overlooked.
He was an in-demand star, did his own stunts, produced and elevated many action movies, and was known for being particular about his roles and the people he worked with.
Today, McQueen’s filmography and fame could be compared with Tom Cruise’s best movies, excepting the fact that McQueen was rarely involved in any franchise work. He was an in-demand star, did his own stunts, produced and elevated many action movies, and was known for being particular about his roles and the people he worked with. McQueen was aware that he was a box office draw, and this led to him demanding high salaries and having his pick of projects. Known for putting himself in high-risk situations, McQueen raced motorcycles and cars in his free time, expanding his “bad boy” persona.
The Blob (1958)
As Steven Andrews
A hallmark of the classic Hollywood monster movie genre, The Blob combines science fiction, horror, and thriller elements that come together to make a film that holds up surprisingly well. It was McQueen’s first starring role as Steve Andrews, a teenager who witnesses the power of the Blob and tries to mobilize his small town to fight against it. It’s Steven who realizes how to stop the Blob, and the beginnings of McQueen’s chops as a leading man are apparent throughout the film. It’s an early example of how strong a performer he is.
Though The Blob was a B movie, it was an unexpected hit and set McQueen on his trajectory toward fame. While elements of the film are campy, and the effects aren’t amazing by today’s standards, it has a strong internal logic, and it was popular enough that a 1988 remake was greenlit. Its larger themes of mass hysteria, misinformation, and small-town politics aren’t too overt but provide enough depth that the film doesn’t feel unjustified in its happy ending.
The Great Escape (1963)
As Hilts ‘The Cooler King’
Directed by John Sturges, The Great Escape is considered one of the best action movies of all time. Highlights of the move include the infamous motorcycle scene. The film is based on Paul Brickhill’s novel about British soldiers imprisoned in a German POW camp. The Great Escape is McQueen’s best leading role and the role he is most associated with, propelling him into further stardom. This notoriety stems from the fact that he did so many of his own stunts, including the motorcycle ride. This stunt is one of the greatest chase scenes in film history.
For a film that holds so many “greatest” and “best” titles, it didn’t receive many accolades when it hit theaters in 1963. McQueen was recognized for his role and won Best Actor at the Moscow International Film Festival, but the film didn’t reach the highest levels of critical acclaim, as action movies are rarely lauded as great works of art until many years after their release. Despite this, The Great Escape will never be forgotten because of the timeless themes of wartime struggle and sacrifice.
The Magnificent Seven (1960)
As Vin
The mythic nature of the West and the fable of the cowboy would naturally hold increased influence over American audiences and become a hit.
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In Steve McQueen’s best Western movie, The Magnificent Seven, the actor once again displayed his trademark stubbornness and desire to be a star. The film is a remake of the seminal samurai movie, 1954’s The Seven Samurai, directed by Akira Kurosawa. Though The Magnificent Seven doesn’t quite hit the mark of The Seven Samurai, it still did amazing work translating the story to the format of the American Western. The mythic nature of the West and the fable of the cowboy would naturally hold increased influence over American audiences and become a hit.
The American remake even went on to incur another adaptation in 2016. McQueen’s character, Vin, is part of the larger ensemble of the movie and isn’t the leader of the band of outlaws he’s part of. This role is an outlier for McQueen, as he often preferred to be the star or nothing at all. However, McQueen has great chemistry with the rest of the cast and is a strong foil to Yul Brynner, who plays the leader. Though The Magnificent Seven was underappreciated when it was first released, it’s come to be known as a classic today.
Bullitt (1968)
As Frank Bullitt
McQueen is the king of chase scenes for many reasons, and though Bullitt doesn’t feature his most iconic chase, it does have an epic car scene for the ages. He plays Detective Frank Bullitt, a police officer in San Francisco, a city that lends its beautiful skyline and intricate streets to the film’s atmosphere. Shot on location in San Francisco, the dedication to the city, and realistic portrayal of the environment, especially during the chase scene, is evident. The film is a neo-noir thriller and portrays Bullitt as a morally ambiguous but heroic officer, featuring a complex performance from McQueen.
Due to the nature of the action-fueled thriller, Bullitt won the Academy Award for Best Editing and was nominated for Best Sound. The car chase, in particular, is an extremely influential part of the film, and many similar chase scenes filmed today have Bullitt to thank for reinventing the trope. Lending his typical stoicism and edge to his part, McQueen is a worthy actor to lead the film, and it could not have been as boundary-pushing without him behind the wheel.
Papillon (1973)
As Henri ‘Papillon’ Charrière
McQueen is joined by Dustin Hoffman in Papillon, a film that provides insight into the plight of men in a French prison and their treatment. It’s based on the autobiography and life of Henri Charrière, the man on whom McQueen’s character is based, with a screenplay penned by two of the greatest writers of the 20th century, Dalton Trumbo and Lorenzo Semple Jr. In the film, Charrière and Hoffman’s character, Louis Dega, form an unlikely bond and are a source of solace during times of incredible brutality and suffering.
It can be a challenge to get through the entire two-and-a-half-hour runtime of Papillon, as there are moments when the characters and the audience come close to losing hope completely. Papillon is not meant for casual viewing, but this makes it all the more interesting as a part of McQueen’s career. The movie requires serious dramatic acting on McQueen’s part, but he delivers at every turn, particularly in the most unbelievable examples of what humans can endure.