Jacqueline Bisset Talks Steve McQueen in Bullitt

Steve McQueen and Jacqueline Bissett in Bullitt. (Warner Bros.)

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.

Jacqueline Bisset attends the 2013 Governors Awards.
Actress Jacqueline Bisset attends the 2013 Governors Awards at The Ray Dolby Ballroom at Hollywood & Highland Center® in Hollywood, CA, on Saturday, November 16, 2013. (Matt Petit / ©A.M.P.A.S.)

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.

Bullitt screens during the TCM Classic Film Festival on May 8 at 5:45 PM ET.

Danielle Solzman

Danielle Solzman is native of Louisville, KY, and holds a BA in Public Relations from Northern Kentucky University and a MA in Media Communications from Webster University. She roots for her beloved Kentucky Wildcats, St. Louis Cardinals, Indianapolis Colts, and Boston Celtics. Living less than a mile away from Wrigley Field in Chicago, she is an active reader (sports/entertainment/history/biographies/select fiction) and involved with the Chicago improv scene. She also sees many movies and reviews them. She has previously written for Redbird Rants, Wildcat Blue Nation, and Hidden Remote/Flicksided. From April 2016 through May 2017, her film reviews can be found on Creators.