You’re watching a movie. The protagonist is about to take a drive—possibly the place they are going will help them defeat their adversary or clear their name from a crime for which they’ve been framed. It doesn’t matter because moments before they got in the car, the film’s antagonist (or one of the antagonist’s henchmen) cut the brakes on our hero’s car. They start the car and begin to drive, and it’s not long before they’re on a winding cliffside highway and they realize they can’t stop the car. This plot device is by now a tried and true staple of TV and movies, but how realistic are these depictions of cars careening out of control when the brake lines get sabotaged? What would really happen if your brake lines were cut in real life?

Cutting the brake lines is not like flipping a switch that instantly renders the brakes useless.

Brake lines in a car are a critical component of the braking system. They are responsible for transporting brake fluid from the master cylinder to the individual brakes at each wheel, enabling the car to stop when the brake pedal is pressed. They have a handful of important components, including the brake hose, which is typically made of reinforced rubber and connects the rigid brake lines to the moving parts of the braking system (like the calipers or wheel cylinders). Since these parts move (for example, when the steering wheel is turned or the suspension moves), a flexible hose is needed. Then there’s the brake line itself, which is typically made of metal (often steel or sometimes stainless steel), these are rigid lines that carry brake fluid from the master cylinder to the rest of the braking system.

When you press the brake pedal, the master cylinder generates hydraulic pressure. This pressure travels through the brake lines and hoses, forcing brake fluid through the system. This fluid movement, in turn, activates the brake calipers (or brake shoes in some older vehicles), which press against the brake rotors (or drums), slowing down and eventually stopping the vehicle.

Brake lines are built to be durable, but they can corrode or become damaged over time, especially in regions where road salt is used, or if they suffer physical trauma. It’s important to inspect them regularly for signs of wear, leakage, or damage. Brake hoses, being made of rubber, can deteriorate over time and may become swollen, cracked, or leaky. If any issues are noticed, they should be replaced immediately, as a compromised brake line or hose can lead to brake failure.

Given the critical role brake lines play in vehicle safety, it’s essential to use quality replacement parts when repairs are needed and to ensure proper installation. Any air introduced into the system during maintenance or repair procedures needs to be bled out, as air bubbles can compress, reducing the effectiveness of the braking system.

The wide understanding of the catastrophic failure represented in a cut brake line ensures that viewers instantly grasp the peril the protagonist is in, facilitating immediate engagement with the unfolding drama.

Grab your popcorn and enjoy this time-honored storytelling device, which we’ll undoubtedly see more and more forms of in the future, without worrying too much about this happening to you.

Brake lines are a pivotal part of a car’s braking system, transporting the hydraulic fluid that allows for the safe and controlled slowing and stopping of the vehicle. Proper maintenance and timely repair or replacement of these components are vital for ensuring safe driving conditions.

If the brake line on your car was cut, several things would happen, and all of them are dangerous. Firstly, the brake fluid would start to leak out of the cut line. The rate of leakage would depend on the size of the cut and the pressure in the system when the cut occurred.

As the brake fluid leaks out, the hydraulic pressure in the brake system would drop. This is because the braking system relies on this fluid to transmit pressure from the brake pedal to the brake calipers or drums. The brake pedal would soon begin to feel much softer and would likely go to the floor when pressed. This kind of softness is a clear immediate indication of a severe brake system problem, and if you ever notice softness in your brakes when driving, stop driving immediately and have them looked at by a professional. With the loss of hydraulic pressure, the braking ability of the vehicle would be significantly compromised. Depending on the design of the vehicle’s brake system, you might lose braking power to all wheels or just to a specific axle (front or rear). Some vehicles have a split-diagonal brake system, meaning a failure in one line would affect one front wheel and the opposite rear wheel. Most modern cars have a brake warning light on the dashboard that would likely illuminate if there’s a drop in the brake system’s hydraulic pressure.

To be clear, if your brake lines were cut, the loss of hydraulic fluid would eventually negate your ability to stop. But this would differ from the experience depicted on movies and TV, namely in that there would be a number of strategies you could use to come to a  stop safely without dramatically careening over the side of a cliff like we so often see in films. These would be signs that something had gone wrong and that you might need to consider pulling over. As already pointed out, modern vehicles also have brake warning lights which are triggered as soon as pressure begins to slip out of your brake lines, meaning that this trope is not very realistic for modern vehicles. If the film shows someone driving a vintage car without these kinds of electronics it’s more plausible, but otherwise it would need to explain why the warning light didn’t signal the driver that something was amiss. 

Another key difference between what we see in movies when the brakes are tampered with and reality is that drivers have a backup braking system designed for just such an instance—the emergency brake.

ANTICLIMACTIC ACT

Unless this crucial component, which uses a mechanical cable system rather than hydraulic fluid, has been tampered with as well, pulling or pressing the emergency brake would in theory slow the car down and quickly bring it to a stop. Last but not least, in order to increase the dramatic tension this trope always seems to depict the car picking up speed faster and faster; the danger of the moment ramping up with every second that passes. But of course reality isn’t like this. In most cases all one needs to do to begin slowing down their car is to let off the gas and wait for the car’s momentum to run out. Better yet, follow the road up a hill and let gravity stop the car for you. The only plausible situation where a driver could not use inherent physical forces to slow down would be if they were rolling downhill for a long time unimpeded, which is probably why we often see this trope employed when the driver is cruising on a mountain road. It’s also worth noting that if your brakes suddenly go out in the mountains, many roads on this terrain have “runaway truck ramps” which are essentially lengthy uphill runways paved with rough gravel. Driving off into one of these would give you a good chance at slowing to a stop if you’re ever in this situation in real life.

So if cutting the brake lines is more likely to be noticed when the driver is moving at a slow speed, and more likely to trigger the anticlimactic act of simply rolling to a stop, pulling over to the side of the road, and calling a tow truck, why is it so commonly used in movies?

A few reasons come to mind. Although we know that cutting brake lines is more complicated than it’s made out to be in movies, the notion of a driver who can no longer use their brakes immediately injects a scene with high stakes and palpable tension. The unexpected failure of a vehicle’s brakes not only signifies immediate peril but also represents a form of attack that is both insidious and anonymous. This creates an instant adrenaline rush for the viewer, as the victim is unwittingly plunged into a life-threatening situation. 

Additionally, the trope has a sinister implication, pointing towards a villain who is not only dangerous but also cunning and covert in their methods. It allows the person tampering with the brakes, crucially, to do the deed without their victim seeing them work, which is often necessary for storytelling. This multifaceted threat, which combines immediate physical danger with a deeper, often personal mystery to be solved, allows for rich storytelling in various cinematic genres, from suspenseful thrillers to complex mysteries. 

Moreover, the wide understanding of the catastrophic failure that a cut brake line represents ensures that viewers instantly grasp the peril the protagonist is in, facilitating immediate engagement with the unfolding drama. 

The fact that it has been employed effectively across numerous films—as in 2000’s Drowning Mona, for example—also fortifies its recurring utilization, serving as a tested and powerful mechanism to propel a plot forward and deepen the emotional and narrative complexity. 

So in short—grab your popcorn and enjoy this time-honored storytelling device, which we’ll undoubtedly see more and more forms of in the future, without worrying too much about this happening to you.

“Bullitt,” released in 1968, featured one of the most iconic car chase scenes in cinematic history. Directed by Peter Yates, the film showcased a chase through the steep hills of San Francisco, with Steve McQueen’s character, Frank Bullitt, driving a Ford Mustang GT, pursuing hitmen in a Dodge Charger.

A significant part of the scene’s success was the innovative filming technique and the exceptional stunt driving. The driving sequences were remarkably authentic and visceral, thanks largely to the contribution of the legendary stunt driver Bud Ekins and McQueen himself, who was an accomplished driver. Ekins was the main stunt driver, but McQueen also performed some of his own driving to keep the character consistently integrated into the action, enhancing the authenticity of the scene.

The film employed a groundbreaking approach to shooting the car chase, utilizing new camera mounts on the cars to put the audience in the middle of the action. Multiple cameras were mounted on the vehicles to capture various angles and viewpoints, immersing the audience in the chase. Director Peter Yates emphasized capturing real speed and action, which meant that the cars were genuinely driven at high speeds, reaching up to 110 miles per hour during filming. 

The hilly streets of San Francisco provided a unique and challenging environment for the chase scene. The stunt drivers had to navigate sharp turns, steep inclines, and declines, and busy intersections, requiring extraordinary precision and control. The locations were carefully chosen and blocked off to ensure the safety of the stunt team and the public, and the scene was meticulously choreographed and rehearsed to synchronize the movements of the vehicles.

The “Bullitt” car chase set new standards for action filmmaking, influencing numerous car chases in subsequent movies. The scene’s success and endurance as a cinematic classic are due to the exceptional skills of the stunt drivers, the director’s vision, and innovative filming techniques that brought a new level of realism and excitement to car chase sequences.

Bourne Identity – Jean-Claude Lagniez

The Paris chase scene in “The Bourne Identity” (2002), the first film of the Bourne trilogy, is one of the most notable car chase sequences in modern cinema. The scene involved a thrilling chase through the narrow, bustling streets of Paris, with Matt Damon (Jason Bourne) and Franka Potente (Marie) in a classic Mini Cooper being pursued by police and other adversaries.

The director, Doug Liman, wanted the chase to be as authentic and visceral as possible. The sequence was carefully choreographed and filmed on location in Paris, using multiple cameras to capture the action from various angles, which added to the scene’s intensity and realism. Shooting on the actual streets of Paris contributed to the scene’s chaotic and claustrophobic feel, as the chase maneuvered through traffic, narrow alleyways, and down staircases.

The stunt driving for this spectacular scene was coordinated and executed by a team of professional stunt drivers, led by the French stunt coordinator Jean-Claude Lagniez. The drivers had to be extremely precise, as they navigated tight corners, avoided pedestrians, and managed high-speed maneuvers through the city’s compact streets. Lagniez himself also performed some of the driving, showcasing his expertise and skill in managing the demanding requirements of the scene.

Matt Damon also participated in some parts of the driving, as he had received specialized driving training to perform certain maneuvers. However, the more complex and dangerous stunts were handled by the professional stunt drivers to ensure safety and precision.

In order to film the chase sequence with maximum authenticity and impact, the filmmakers used various filming techniques, including mounting cameras on chase cars and using handheld cameras for more dynamic and immersive shots. This approach allowed for the capture of real-speed action, enhancing the audience’s adrenaline-pumping viewing experience.

Smokey & the Bandit – Alan Gibbs

“Smokey and the Bandit” is a classic 1977 action-comedy film directed by Hal Needham, renowned for its car chase sequences. One of the most iconic stunts in the movie is the bridge jump scene, where the Bandit, played by Burt Reynolds, jumps a dismantled bridge in a 1977 Pontiac Trans Am.

The stunt driver who executed this legendary jump was Alan Gibbs, a professional and experienced stuntman. Hal Needham, the director, was himself a former stuntman and brought a wealth of experience and knowledge about planning and executing stunts safely and effectively.

For the bridge jump scene, they used a ramp to launch the car into the air. The car was specially modified to withstand the impact of the jump and landing. Certain adjustments were made, such as reinforcing the car’s structure and modifying the suspension, to ensure the car and stunt driver remained secure during the stunt.

Alan Gibbs drove the Trans Am at a calculated speed to hit the ramp at the right angle and trajectory, ensuring the car would clear the gap in the bridge and land safely on the other side. The team meticulously planned every detail of the stunt, considering factors like the car’s speed, the ramp’s angle, and the distance to be covered.

The filming was done with multiple cameras placed at various angles to capture the jump from different perspectives, ensuring that the best shots could be used in the final edit. After the successful execution of the stunt, additional elements might have been added during post-production to enhance the scene’s visual appeal and coherence within the film’s narrative.

Casino Royale – Adam Kirley

In the 2006 film “Casino Royale,” one of the most breathtaking stunts occurs during a high-speed chase, where a car rolls multiple times before coming to a stop. This scene was not only a cinematic spectacle but also set a world record for the most cannon rolls in a car.

The car used in this scene was an Aston Martin DBS, and the stunt was performed by Adam Kirley, an experienced stunt driver. To execute the stunt, the team didn’t solely rely on Kirley’s driving. Instead, they employed an air cannon placed behind the driver’s seat, which used compressed air to force a metal ram into the road, tipping the car into a roll.

The stunt took place on the Millbrook Proving Ground in Bedfordshire, England. Safety was a significant concern, and meticulous planning went into ensuring that the stunt was conducted with precision and care. Kirley wore a helmet and a HANS device (Head and Neck Support) to protect himself during the stunt. 

When the scene was filmed, Kirley drove the Aston Martin at a high speed, and at the precise moment, the air cannon was activated, causing the car to flip and roll multiple times before it came to a rest. The stunt was executed perfectly, and the Aston Martin DBS rolled seven times, which was acknowledged by the Guinness World Records.

The combination of meticulous planning, the use of innovative stunt technology, and the skill of a professional stunt driver made this scene in “Casino Royale” a memorable moment in action film history, illustrating the extraordinary lengths filmmakers go to create realistic and visually stunning action sequences.

Speed – Jophrey Brown

“Speed,” the 1994 action-thriller directed by Jan de Bont, features an iconic bus jump scene that was an impressive cinematic achievement of its time. Filming this scene was a significant technical challenge that required meticulous planning, innovation, and a blend of practical effects and cinematic tricks to make it believable.

In the film, the bus had to jump across a 50-foot gap in an incomplete elevated freeway. To accomplish this, the filmmakers used a real bus and a real ramp to launch it across the gap. The scene was filmed in the desert outside of Los Angeles, not in the city where it was set. They picked a location that allowed them to have maximum control over the environment and the safety of the stunt.

A special bus was used, reinforced to withstand the impact and stripped of unnecessary weight to make it airborne for a longer time. The suspension of the bus was also modified to ensure that it could endure the jump and landing. Powerful hydraulic rams were installed to give the bus an upward boost as it left the ramp, helping it to clear the gap in the freeway. 

The gap in the highway itself was an optical illusion created using visual effects. In reality, the bus jumped a much shorter distance, and the gap was added in post-production to enhance the scene’s drama and intensity.

Safety was paramount in executing this stunt. The team took various precautions, including thoroughly checking all the equipment, securing the area, and employing professional stunt drivers with specific expertise in handling such extreme driving maneuvers.

After capturing the live-action stunt, post-production work was instrumental in selling the believability of the scene. Visual effects artists seamlessly blended various elements, ensuring that the bus appeared to jump the massive 50-foot gap. They also worked on matching the filmed sequence with the movie’s urban setting, ensuring consistency in the visual narrative.

The combination of practical stunts, enhanced by carefully crafted visual effects, and the skilled work of a dedicated team of professionals from various disciplines, made the bus jump scene in “Speed” a memorable moment in cinematic history.

In the fast-paced world of action cinema, the artistry and precision of stunt driving have time and again left audiences, mouths open, sitting on the edge of their seats.

In reflection of these iconic car sequences that have scored roads with tire marks across film history, we salute these incredible stunt performers and coordinators whose dedication and skill have raised the bar for cinematic excellence.