BMW on the Big Screen: 5 Classic Moments
BMW is no stranger to the limelight. The automaker's models have been appearing in movies and commercials virtually as long as film has been around. From white-knuckle chase scenes in movies like Splash and Gone in Sixty Seconds, to simply looking sleek in films such as The Italian Job and The Bourne Identity, BMW has certainly forged its place in popular culture.
The company even has its own film company, aptly named BMW Films, which is responsible for producing the eight groundbreaking online short films called "The Hire," which have cultivated a cult following since their creation in 2001. "The Hire" stars actor Clive Owen as a suave, James Bond-esque driver for hire, with each episode outlining a unique story. Madonna, Gary Oldman, Dave Cheadle, and Mickey Rourke have all co-starred in the films, and the newest addition, "The Escape," stars Dakota Fanning, Vera Farmiga, and Jon Bernthal alongside Clive Owen.
Which other notable BMW models have appeared in films over the years? We've got five ones worth remembering.
The 1980 E23 755i
This model appeared in the 1990 movie Marked for Death and was part of a brilliant chase scene with Steven Seagal and Jeffrey Anderson-Gunter. Sadly, the vehicle met an untimely demise, crashing into a jewelry store and becoming part of the battleground for a gunfight. You could say it "went out with a bang."
The 1991 E31 850i
Appearing in 2001's The Score starring Robert DeNiro and Edward Norton, this BMW model represents the life that DeNiro's character Nick wants. A semi-retired thief, Nick just wants to provide "the good life" for his girlfriend. The classic lines of the 850i certainly support the elegance that Nick is striving for. Perhaps his taste for the good life is too defined, because Nick is soon sucked into thieving again by Edward Norton's character.
The 1995 E36/7 Z3
What James Bond movie wouldn't be complete without a sleek, eye-catching car for the spy to take for a spin around the block? Pierce Brosnan's vehicle in 1995's GoldenEye even has Stinger missiles behind the headlights and an available parachute that can deploy out the back. What more could a secret agent need?
The E3 2500
Appearing in 1987's Cry Freedom, actor Kevin Kline's character Donald takes this sporty model off-roading in South Africa, being chased by apartheid supporters for being an anti-apartheid journalist in the 1970s. The car performs admirably in its role, though it would have looked just as good simply cruising the streets of Cape Town.
Vision EfficientDynamics i8 Concept
This model, appearing in 2011's Mission: Impossible--Ghost Protocol, wasn't even close to appearing on the market when this movie was released. The futuristic i8 is driven by Tom Cruise's character Ethan Hunt as he goes about his usual fast-paced shenanigans. Audiences were thrilled to see the model, which is affectionately referred to as an "electric supercar," and waited with baited breath until its official release to the public in 2014.
Among the various movies that BMW models have appeared in, which is your favorite? Here at BMW of Silver Spring, we can't pick just one!
Image Credit: BMW Films