Best and possibly most fabulous car crash ever

In BUtterfield 8, when Elizabeth Taylor's Sunbeam Alpine sprints across the Tappan Zee Bridge, through a roadblock, and off a cliff, it results in a very short, very weird, completely mesmerizing crash. Personally, I think it's better and gayer (i.e. more fabulous) than the one in Mahogany. And you can tell Miss Ross I said so.
Bonus: if you loved the vocal effects worked on Taylor's confession in Suddenly Last Summer, you'll probably enjoy these, too.

[@DreamJ2eaper]

I love how it comes down at a 90 degree angle

[@deadjuice1880]

Some intense shit man. My adrenaline went through the roof when she was paying the toll.

[@DTD110865]

So what did they do? Drive from Westchester County, cross the Tappan Zee Bridge into Rockland County, and wind up back in Westchester again at 3:00?

[@steveg5122]

Very cool to see when all this infastructure was brand new.

[@hebneh]

My fave is the pink and black 1956 Dodge parked at the motel at 1:03. When Liz's Sunbeam is at the toll booth in the outside shot there's a 1959 Ford behind her. Seen from inside, as she accelerates, there's a 1957 Plymouth visible through her back window.

[@pegbars]

Wow, that's a huge mistake! You should report it to one of the movie mistake websites, since it directly affects the story. I'll bet you noticed the clouds weren't in the same postions, either (they never follow direction)? That will make another good entry.

[@nicfewer8393]

Just like in North by Northwest when Cary Grant's taxi pull up outside the hotel, there's a Ford taxi behind, when he gets out, it's a Dodge. The back projection footage didn't match the on location footage.

[@antoniod]

In the book(set in 1931), Gloria falls out of a boat and gets chopped up by the paddlewheel, but some people complained that both endings, not just the film ending, seemed like a contrived punishment for the character.

[@berjaboy]

Good bye Elizabeth, you were one of a kind. A true legend.

[@1king4all]

They actually stopped to pay the toll, now that's what sets this chase scene apart from the rest of them, PRICELESS! Oh and the car at the end didn't blow up, whew, Hollywood, you had me there holding my breath for a moment.

[@bobtepedino5661]

He would have easily caught her if he had spent the same money on an Imperial...

[@everythingclassic1705]

Bob Tepedino, his rich wife had the Imperial.

[@asyncawaited]

The thruway runs straight into a construction zone that ramps cars into a pile of junk. What a classic 1960's troll.

[@TheRealNormanBates]

So would that mean it was a "troll booth"?

[@bebebrez-kal9136]

THE TAPPANZEE BRIDGE...not that faux name the murderer Cuomo😈 named it🤬

[@MerleOberon]

At least they paid their tolls, today they would just fly right through!

[@mortenolsen4196]

+MerleOberon In those days even the crooks were law abiding citizens!

[@TheRealNormanBates]

You mean like those whippersnapper aliens from CLOSE ENCOUNTERS? Galdarn extraterrestrials and their flyin' orbs, all colored like christmas lights. Some people are tryin' to sleep!

[@jamesharper3933]

Yeah, that would be like a burglar breaking a glass door to rob a store then cleaning up the glass on his way out.

[@sothathappened]

flailing around... mouth agape! i can watch this over and over. pure comedy!

[@frankieboy967]

I know. Ms. Taylor had a knack for overacting at times.

[@chuckschillingvideos]

Apparently Toonces was at the wheel of the Sunbeam.

[@dvlaries]

Like more than one critic, Taylor herself hated Butterfield 8. But she was dying to do "Cleopatra," and the only way MGM was going to permit it was if she gave them the last film she owed them on her contract.

[@tomkent4656]

She hated the character she had to play.

[@buzzcrushtrendkill]

Oh that made me laugh out loud. She turns her head for a second and is instantly faced with the Road Closure, no signage leading up to it. The car goes off a dirt ramp at high speed but impacts the ground in a straight verticle drop. Ha ha. Just like it had been dropped from a crane. Hilarious.

[@styldsteel1]

buzzcrushtrendkill sounds like a script

[@lrn_news9171]

buzzcrushtrendkill I think it's not that horrible, you see the cars front end beginning to drop forward as the car is airborne before the scene cuts and therefore the vertical drop doesn't seem all that out of place in my opinion.

[@JimmyBmusic1]

Like the Illinois nazis in the blues brothers.

[@PredSpread]

*goes up at about 30 degrees* *comes down at 90*

[@Barnacules]

Hahahahaha, that cracked me up at the end when the car was falling straight down haha

[@halon7476]

At least the horn can be salvaged.

[@DTD110865]

FYI, when Timothy McVeigh blew up the Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma City, blown up cars were still blaring their horns and flashing their emergency lights.

[@dressshoeguy]

A true screen legend indeed. We will miss you Elizabeth Taylor.

[@unclealand]

In the book she falls into the paddle wheels of a steamboat and is screaming as she's mangled and crushed to death. She never did give back the coat, though.

[@styldsteel1]

unclealand hmm looks exactly like the Hollywood version

[@TheRealNormanBates]

I am actually surprised POLICE SQUAD! or the Zucker Brothers in general never made fun of this. I could easily see them doing something AIRPLANE!ish without having to change much. I'm imagining Frank Dreben chasing after a crook. The crook takes the right.. Dreben goes straight.. still finds himself behind the crook (looks behind himself, looks incredulous, shrugs shoulders, keeps going). Crook reaches toll booth, fumbles for change... Dreben reaches toll booth right next to him.. eyeballs him while trying to give change to toll booth operator without looking.. drops it, gets out to get it.. crook laughs, starts to leave and cop turns on lights and pulls him over right after toll booth for not giving exact change. Gets ticket from cop taking his slowwww ass time, crook starts to drive.. Dreben has finally found the last nickel.. continues pursuit... crook sees EXIT sign, turns to take it.. immediately launches into the air past the Illinois nazis from THE BLUES BROTHERS and crashes into police headquarters and into a cell. George Kennedy comes out of the smoking police building just as Dreben pulls up and George says "Good job, Frank! You caught another one! But I'm just wondering... don't these crooks know we have a parking garage right across the street?"

[@josephineledford351]

Love the exhaust on the little red car

[@IkarusFlight]

Not unrealistic for the 1957 Mercedes 300d to outrun the Sunbeam Series I. The Mercedes had 160 Bhp against the Sunbeam with 78. The Max. Speed of the Mercedes was 103 Mph.

[@MrRobster1234]

Hello Ted, I think you are being conservative with both the power and the speed of that big 300 sedan. I would say that the figures were more like 220 BHP and 120 mph.

[@IkarusFlight]

Rob Mackenzie I was not guessing. de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mercedes-Benz_W_189 media.daimler.com/dcmedia/0-921-1408430-49-1409741-1-0-0-0-0-1-0-0-0-1-0-0-0-0-0.html

[@MrRobster1234]

Ted Logan Hi Ted, You are probably closer than I was. In the mean time I had Googled it too. In English they gave it credit for 180 HP and top speed was not mentioned. Thanks

[@IkarusFlight]

I read that too. I'm not 100% sure anymore. I found two sources in german that speak of 160 HP. So maybe it is a mistake. But I'm not an expert for that period and for the make. I'll check it out next time I'm in the technik museum Speyer.

[@dcanmore]

Ted Logan your data is correct regarding the Merc 300d (160bhp, 103mph), also it accelerated 0-60mph in 12.8secs, however it is 2000kg and has a 3-sp auto. The Sunbeam has 78bhp as mentioned, top speed 99mph, 0-60 13.8secs, weighed only 966kg and had 4-sp man.

[@Buelligan88]

I thought 50 cents was a crazy high toll for 1960, but adjusted for inflation in 2016, that's about $4. The Tappan Zee bridge toll today is $5. Never saw this movie, but I've always heard about it. Always thought it was supposed to be in England.

[@GreyTheFloydianSergal]

Did anybody else notice Christine behind the Alpine at the toll booth?

[@TedJohnson85]

If he hadn’t chased after her she would have not had that accident

[@chuckthebull]

UGG i own this exact car and that was painful to watch....

[@CliveNDerek]

Fifty years later their "car chase" would have been at 4mph all the way to the Sloatsburg rest stop.

[@camarocarl7130]

That should buff out.

[@knowzmyname]

I don't believe Ms Taylor even had a DL in real life....only in reel life.

[@ForkliftJoe]

Total Roadkill! "Best day at work EVER!"

[@styldsteel1]

ForkliftJoe I think that tyre that flew away should still be OK though

[@ap70621]

Back in the day when you didn't have to worry about the Tappan Zee falling into the river while crossing it.

[@Sheehy223]

It's funny how obvious they make it that the footage is speed up

[@lrn_news9171]

Laurence Harvey was a phenomenal actor although some critics seem to think otherwise, I was moved by his performance in this movie and the Manchurian Candidate.

[@eldo59]

2:11 Christine is right behind yah! LOL

[@3bar]

50 cents for the toll. You know it's an old movie.

[@Glenn1967ful]

The unusual thing is both cars were imports in an era where nearly every car in America was American, and the Merc would have been just as rare as the Sunbeam.

[@KenSiefert]

The horn works...

[@JosephRGrych]

Sure does.

[@ticketyboo2456]

At least her car didn't inexplicably explode when it crashed as they do in so many lesser movies.

[@jefflavigne1747]

"Where the hell did I put my car keys?" Totally agree; best crash EVER!

[@navblue20]

To borrow a line from Star Trek "She's dead Jim"

[@Cropredy02]

There is no way in hell anyone sitting jammed up against the wheel like that could ever drive the Sunbeam Alpine (or any similarly-sized two-seat sports car) that fast and well.

[@nicfewer8393]

Sean Connery did in Dr No!

[@lozleo]

How did it go from flying though the air to falling straight down at 3:30 ? LOL

[@enriquepaz7]

anyone else notice the driving gloves inconsistency?

[@daughterofolaf]

This comment section is comedy gold. 😆

[@Chamsk]

Lmaaao this ending is literally a big injustice he treat her like garbage and at least he killed her ...sad ending she deserved a better life and a better man ...that’s one of my fav movie ever she deserved this Oscar ..I know that Liz never liked this movie idk why ..i love it

[@rondoletti64]

Laurence Harvey's emotions ran the gambit of A to A--.

[@MarkinDC]

Car accident endings always seemed like a cop out to me, and this is definitely a disappointing ending. Butterfield 8 may have been "bad," but it was so deliciously, exquisitely bad, the ending spoils it to me.

[@ew1usnr]

I don't think that the Sunbeam Alpine could have outran the big Mercedes.

[@beatnikrn2945]

At about 2:50, she banks the curve like a Charlie Chaplin movie. 😂

[@mrdacii]

😂

[@glennlaw319]

Just a little trivia...from one who owned and drove one of these exact same MK1 Alpines back in that day.....the very short scene at 2:35 mins showing the speedometer as she guns it to get away reveals the producers removed the standard steering wheel horn ring....no doubt to give the movie audience an uninterrupted view of the speedo. The horn ring is clearly seen in various other shots, the first at 0:22 mins.

[@Shift4g]

That Sunbeam has some crazy 40-60 lol.

[@kikurass322]

LMAO, what a joke, clearly dropped from a crane. Some people are easily pleased.

[@flamefleir]

and all the dude was trying to do was catch up to her to hell her she forgot her wallet...

[@poppiesrule]

Back in the days when you'd experience body-roll pulling into a parking spot.

[@JosephRGrych]

Wow--he kilt her.

[@pheidgerd60]

I have to admit, that was an unusually equipped Alpine! I always had an affinity for the light creme yellow or the dark green Alpines... But how can you go wrong with RED... Just leave off the WSW's!!! Have a nice day wherever you are.... It is 38 here in ATL, Georgia at 12:28 pm!

[@scottthewaterwarrior]

Meh, the fact that the angle it crashed at was clearly different from which it jumped ruins this one for me. My favorite crash has to be the final scene from the movie Duel, truck hits car and tumbles slow motion down a cliff side.

[@thomasreghi7052]

'our' Elizabeth was good in this and at or reaching the peak of her loveliness. Later performances dressed her in period costumes not always flattering. But she was a good actress for being flexible i guess.

[@GAment_11]

Shes probably okay.

[@larondapaden7589]

Loved this movie...didnt the title refer to the phone #. She was a call girl right?!

[@larondapaden7589]

Indeed

[@Cropredy02]

"How do you like my car, big boy?"

[@stevebarton6334]

Just a normal drive for mimosas and brunch for Liz

[@patrickvales6369]

Damn the angle that sunbeam got

[@DA90027]

typical 1960s fantasy....great car chase until the phony and obvious drop from a crane...it was even great as it ran through the road signs and up the embankment but the drop kind of ruined it. But what a shame they destroyed a brand new Sunbeam. I mean couldn't they have used some ugly MG instead?

[@OpenRoader]

I love in these old movies how the sped up the film to make it look like they were speeding! Bummer for the Alpine! Sweet little car. Does she die?

[@beatnikrn2945]

Yes

[@RichardRead]

It's called *BUtterfield 8*.

[@japanjack62]

You'd never see the Tappan Zee that empty today....If only Westchester and Rockland Counties looked like that today, Nice Mercedes Benz

[@windstorm1000]

where was this filmed ? upstate newyork???

[@DA90027]

That was a waste of a Beautiful Sunbeam

[@sferrell1000]

I am a stage manager in theater, we are trained to pay attention to detail.

[@fob1xxl]

I agree. Even better then Lana Turner in "The Bad and The Beautiful". But then Lana Turner wasn't Elizabeth Taylor !

[@doodad77]

Likely the car was simply dropped straight down from a crane. Since the vehicle was launched from a ramp, then upon landing it was expected to tumble of sorts with plenty of energy & possibly ejecting the driver. Seen finishing as it does, this does make an odd and disconnected sequence. Less grisly as well.

[@GreyTheFloydianSergal]

You know what should be added at the end? Women: For pity sake, don't drive!

[@MartinLeMalin]

Nice Sunbeam ... Well ... It WAS a nice Sunbeam ! ...

[@MerleOberon]

I didn't know Mercedes made a 4-door hardtop....

[@MichaelsMustang]

I think they meant to put WORSE CAR CRASH EVER

[@pheidgerd60]

Yes, I did. It is likely a 1957... If you notice the inner headlamp is the turn signal lamp not another headlamp. Also, when she first drives up to the toll plaza, note the car directly behind her (earlier take apparently) is a 1959 Ford. The black (believed to be) '57 Plymouth is also seen, I believe just before as the Mercedes is overtaking it on I-87 westbound. There's a bunch of cool cars (MOST OF THEM) maybe I'll watch this one soon! Too bad you can't drive around today and see them!!

[@ManInTheBigHat]

They drive over the Tappan Zee Bridge, soon to be replaced. Then there's a blockage of the highway, but she's the first car to get to it. No one's been there before. She's the only car. Funny stuff.

[@agustinlerto4315]

Hay un error, cuando se la ve conduciendo aparece con guantes agarrando el volante, cuando la cámara enfoca el cuentakilómetros, sus manos están desnudas agarrando el volante

[@ooglefluffg857]

This movie's 53 years old. Cut it some slack.

[@Pepcycle]

The building across the street with a view of the Hudson is Las Margaritas Mexican Restaurant now.

[@tommyboat64]

Lame, how did it go from a 25 degree up angle to a 90 degree straight drop? oh well, this was 'spectacular' in its day!

[@watchmangamer4380]

What an SCROTUM crash!!

[@boybblue]

I like her car, is just like Nancy Sinatra 's car

[@enjoysanal5767]

gREAT FLIC

[@1Barrett50]

I've seen better car chases in person. Neither one of those cars has enough power to pull a greased string out of a cats ass.

[@bargainboondocker3420]

+1Barrett50 OK that's one I hadn't heard. My dad used to say "that car doesn't have enough poop to pull the smoke off a biscuit". now I can add a new one to my repertoire.

[@chriscapswheelcoverhubcaps630]

+Bargain Boondocker that, or not enough torque to pull the skin off pudding haha

[@DA90027]

neither one accelerates that fast but once going both can go pretty fast.

[@andersport]

As Broderick Crawford says on the Highway Patrol........

[@ronniedean53]

notice the "open" trunk? wonder if it was for an air cannon or something?

[@styldsteel1]

Ronnie Dean no. that's was the vaporizer beam

[@lozleo]

In the movie, yes, she does.

[@jdez10]

I wonder if she is alright?!! lol. Best car chase ever?! really... you got too be kidding! You should change your title.

[@JosephRGrych]

She was fine. They got married.

[@sferrell1000]

Notice, when you have shots of Liz, she is wearing her brown leather driving gloves, but when there is a shot of the speedo, she is bare handed.

[@gusneaker]

It looked like a tin toy car

[@vettedog]

I love that crash! make a small jump and the car lands as it passes a bulldozer, shes falling off a massive cliff, then hes standing on a boulder covered slope that she just crushed he car on 20 feet away lol I love it!

[@lm8982]

Poor Liz (or Gloria)--being chased by the gorgeous Lawrence Harvey (Ligg) who wants to marry her! I'd surely have a bad accident and die if I were she--like hell!

[@DA90027]

Still her screaming scene could have been longer, lots of hair pulling and gnawing on the dashboard like Lana Turner did in "The Bad and the Beautiful" another over the top campfest!

[@kapwal999]

@djhylas : Sure enough- but it looks like Post Bubonic Plague Rockland...where the heck are all the people?

[@petkim8289]

What is the type of the car Elizabeth drove?

[@luisfermar04]

Lol this is just too funny 😂😂😂😂

[@eastbtm6531]

Love this scene, may i know what is the title of this movie? :)

[@emerybayblues]

+East Btm BUtterfield 8

[@styldsteel1]

East Btm name of movie? boom

[@FredricEric]

Butterfield 8. Liz Taylor won an Oscar.

[@styldsteel1]

FredricEric cmon Stop it lol