100 Years of Ford on Film: Iconic moments in movie history
Creating a bucket list of great movies featuring Ford vehicles is more about what you leave out than what you include.
Fords have been in movies for ages! Back when Ford South Africa's assembly line was just starting in Port Elizabeth 100 years ago, comedy legends Laurel and Hardy were already making audiences laugh with their Model T Fords.
With 15 million Model Ts made by the late 1920s, this car was perfect for their chaotic adventures, enduring damage from angry homeowners, speeding trains, and determined policemen. And like a true star, the Model T always bounced back for more.
Fast forward to 2003, the Ford Cortina XR6 starred in "Stander," a movie about South African policeman-turned-bank-robber Andre Stander. In the film, Tom Jane plays Stander, and the XR6 is his getaway car in thrilling Jo’burg chase scenes.
It was a fitting choice since the XR6 was a South African model, adding local flavour to the film.
One of the most iconic movie cars is the Ford Mustang. Introduced in 1964, it quickly found its way into films.
A notable early appearance was in "Goldfinger," where James Bond drives a ’64-and-a-half Mustang convertible in a high-speed chase.
Another early Mustang moment was in "Grand Prix" (1966), where James Garner drives a 1965 Shelby Mustang GT350.
The most famous Mustang, though, is the 1967 Mustang 390 GT Fastback driven by Steve McQueen in "Bullitt."
Its legendary car chase through San Francisco’s streets is unforgettable, inspiring a Mustang Bullitt tribute car released in South Africa in 2019.
Mustangs have also had their comedic moments, like in "K9," where James Belushi's character sends his dog through a car wash in a Mustang convertible.
Another standout is "Gone in 60 Seconds" (2000), featuring Nicolas Cage and a 1967 Shelby Mustang GT 500, known as Eleanor. This film sparked a cult following and a wave of Eleanor replicas.
Another Ford that made waves in pop culture is the Ford Anglia 105E, brought to magical life in "Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets."
The car could fly and turn invisible, adding to its charm. This reintroduced the Anglia to new generations, giving it a legendary status.
Ford’s racing legacy is also significant. South Africans fondly remember the 1960s racing duels between Ford and Ferrari at Kyalami. The Ford GT40 nearly won on its debut in 1965, setting the stage for Ford’s motorsport triumphs.
In the 2008 film "Gran Torino," Clint Eastwood stars as a war veteran whose prized 1972 Ford Gran Torino becomes central to the plot. The film was a critical and commercial success, grossing $270 million.
Lastly, the Ford Falcon became famous in the "Mad Max" series, starring Mel Gibson. The post-apocalyptic films featured a rugged, supercharged Ford Falcon, making it an iconic movie car.
As we look to the future, movies might showcase electric vehicles, like successors to the Mustang Mach-E, as the new stars. Imagine kids hanging out at charging stations, and car chases in complete silence!
Ford’s cinematic legacy is rich and diverse, with models like the Model T, Cortina, Mustang, Anglia, and Falcon all playing memorable roles on the big screen.