While escorting an elderly man to an undisclosed location, The Driver is confronted by a van full of armed men and is warned that the old man has stolen a large amount of diamonds. The old man claims to have swallowed the diamonds and that the men will likely cut him open to retrieve them. The Driver decides at the last minute to help him, participating in a car chase and shootout with the van. The Driver eventually evades his pursuers and watches their destruction. He then delivers the old man to a town nearby and asks the merchant if he did indeed swallowed the diamonds. The client merely chuckles and walks away. The Driver then leaves.
Direction
Frankenheimer's final work, distilled to essence.
Acting
Owen's silent charisma carries every frame.
Cinematography
Tight, claustrophobic car interiors feel lethal.
Director
John Frankenheimer
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Part of BMW's 'The Hire' series, commissioned shorts by A-list directors featuring Clive Owen as The Driver.
Frankenheimer, 72 at filming, was recovering from heart surgery; this was his swan song to kinetic action.
US
