The Driver (1978)

Director

• Walter Hill

Starring

• Ryan O'Neal
• Bruce Dern
• Isabelle Adjani
• Ronee Blakley
• Matt Clark

Last On

21:50-23:40 Mon 6th Jul 2026 100m
Talking Pictures TV

Synopsis

This story of a getaway driver who has no life outside his work is pared down to its absolute existential essentials in Walter Hill's terrific thriller. Critics thought that the writer/director was paying tribute to Jean-Pierre Melville's 1967 classic Le Samourai, though he denied he'd ever seen it. However, Ryan O'Neal wears the same trenchcoat as Alain Delon, and he has the same cool demeanour and ruthless tunnel vision. The car chases are amazing, but it's O'Neal's calm you remember, before he ultimately unravels as slinky Isabelle Adjani and cop Bruce Dern get under his skin.