Jan 25, 2011 bee vang, actor and secondyear student at brown university, and dr. Finally, at the end of the movie when walt wills the vehicle to thao, the gran torino comes to represent walt himself. Fords gran torino relives musclecar heyday wardsauto. Oct 31, 20 symbolism in gran torino like any other good movie, gran torino contains a lot of symbolism within its story.
The 32 coupe wasnt originally intended to be one of the stars of this high school graduation film, however as the movie s popularity increased, so did the cars and today it could be called one of the most recognised hotrods in history. Why the 1972 ford gran torino sport was fords best mid. Walt is a harsh, ramrodstraight man with a quick temper and high standards whose greatest joy is an orderly home and his beloved, mintcondition gran torino. Gran torino is a brilliant movie from start to finish, i cant believe i waited so long to watch it, its completely different to what i expected, two thirds of the film had a very light tone at. The following is a list of significant characters who feature in the 2008 film gran torino, directed by clint eastwood. The ford torino club 19681979 public group facebook. From the batmobile to the delorean in back to the future to the. A new tax incentive package offered to film productions by the state of michigan clinched the deal, and gran torino became the first film to benefit.
Ford gran torino in the brokenwood mysteries, 20142020. Hollywood classic starsky and hutch 1975 for gran torino. In his will, walt leaves his house to the church, and his gran torino to thao, much to the suprise of his family. Gran torino actor reveals behindthescenes racism the. Jul 31, 2018 the seller caught my eye with this 1972 ford gran torino sport, which does look an awful lot like the movie car in the clint eastwood film, gran torino. Considering it is the title of the film, one would expect the gran torino to play an active role in the movie. The ford torino is an automobile that was produced by ford for the north american market between 1968 and 1976. Gran torino is a tale with many facets to it,such as the loss of male identity that was orginally brought about by working in skilled bluecollar employment which eastwoods character didhe was a ford auto worker in the movie and the male characteristics and bonding that this employment developed,and the repercussions regarding the decline and. How many movies do you know that the title of the film is the same as the feature car. It was just called cobra but we all know that it was built on a fairlane platform and we all know that 99. Gran torino is a 2008 american drama film directed and produced by clint eastwood, who also. The car was named after the city of turin torino, in italian, considered the italian detroit. But gran torino is entitled well for the premise of the movie.
These questions are complex, validand far too important to let one movie, no matter how well made, answer them for you. In gran torino, clint eastwood plays walt kowalski, a retired korean war veteran shattered by his wifes recent death. I was a little disappointed though that there wasnt as much car action as the commercial would lead you to believe. Louisa schein, hmong media expert, discussed the truth of what happened behind the scenes of the movie gran torino. Gran torino is a 2008 film, directed by and starring clint eastwood, in what was once rumoured to be his final onscreen performance note. In fact, the phenomenon grew enough in popularity that the ford division placed a limited run production for similar cars to be produced at its chicago plant 1,000 units in the u. Gran torino amc an unlikely friendship develops between a bigoted korean war veteran and an asian teen who, under threat from some gangbangers, tries to steal his car. Casting calls were held in fresno, california, detroit, michigan, and saint paul, minnesota, from which eastwood selected ten hmong american lead actors and supporting actors. Thao will likely never be able to drive that car without thinking of walt and everything the man did for him.
It is a solid car that is in need of cosmetic restoration but could still be driven exactly as it currently stands. The torino nameplate debuted in 1968, and an allnew version called. The 197071 torino cobras, the 1969 torino talladega, the 1970 king cobra, the 19681971 torino gt convertibles, and the 1969 cobras are the most collectible torino muscle cars. It is a flawed movie, vastly overwritten, with characters pointing things out that weve long worked out for ourselves. Eastwoods staff found the car online, and warner brothers bought the car through a classic car dealer on ebay. Clint eastwoods gran torino is about a racist old man named walt who overcomes his prejudice by helping his teenager neighbor thao. The gran torino that thao attempts to steal at the beginning of the film is what is left for him in. Minor action vehicle or used in only a short scene. This black muscle car driven by the main character of the films, max rockatansky, started off as a 1973 ford falcon xb gt hardtop. Feb 03, 2020 as far as project cars are concerned, this 1972 ford gran torino sport has a lot in its favor. Gran torino s first scene takes place in a church, and walt is a catholic.
The film costars christopher carley, bee vang and ahney her. There were 496,645 torinos produced by ford in 1972. I drove down to birmingham michigan to apply to work as background on gran torino. The car in the movie is one of 92,033 topoftheline 72 gran torino sport, twodoor fastbacks produced and is magnificent in 4q dark green metallic. Recently we featured cars like the 1966 thunderbird from the movie thelma and louise and the blues brothers bluesmobile. To give a bit of an overview, the movie gran torino was directed and produced by clint eastwood who also starred in the movie.
Gran torino movie tv listings and schedule tv guide. If you ask me the gran torino should have 3 or maybe 4 stars and not 5. The miscommunication between kowalski and his sons was epic. Falling down 610 movie clip the customer is always right 1993 hd duration.
So yes everyone is correct in saying they didnt make a 69 fairlane or torino cobra. You just listen to the way martin and i banter it back and forth. Owned by fictional character walk kolowski, a community patriarch who remembers when men were men, it becomes a source of strength for a character running light on muscle. I think this is light enough to list this as 1972 ford f100. It was a competitor in the intermediate market segment. When his priest, father janovich, encourages him to go to confession, walt says, i confess i never cared for church much. Gran torinos werent actually assembled in detroit, but it made for a good story none the less. These cars are so iconic, so cool, or so absurd that they claimed starring roles in a movie. The seller caught my eye with this 1972 ford gran torino sport, which does look an awful lot like the movie car in the clint eastwood film, gran torino. Small screen hero, world phenomenon it didnt take long before car aficionados were hot on the tail of the gran torino. Ford gran torino classics for sale classics on autotrader.
An interview with don ripple, who was the picture car mechanic on clint eastwoods film gran torino. This is not the case, but the car still plays a very powerful role. Dirty harry on a pension, were thinking, until we realize that only the autoworker retired. A music video for the song gran torino by jamie cullum, from the gran torino motion picture soundtrack. These subjects probably lay the most common groundwork of the entire movie industry, but they are addressed in this film in a way that makes those ideas seem completely original. Upon reflection it becomes quite apparent this was the perfect pick for walt kowalskis pride. Clint eastwoods hit movie gran torino is resurrecting interest in a ford motor co. Visit gran torino filming locations in detroit legendarytrips. A critical and commercial success, the movie was entirely filmed in metro detroit, united states.
The movie was filmed in michigan, and the car was bought through a michigan car dealer so that the film qualified for state tax incentives. The vehicle is dually symbolic, being representative of walt in one manner and of thao in a very different one. Still, the selfreferentiality of eastwoods performance ensures that gran. I mean come on, if your going to name a movie after a kick ass car like that at least give the audience a car chase or two. The gran torino that thao attempts to steal at the beginning of the film is what is left for him in walts will at the end.
Nov 10, 2018 gran torino original theme song from the motion picture licensed to youtube by. But his is a reluctant faith, if its really there at all. Symbolism in gran torino essay sample sample essays. In the final scene, thao is driving the gran torino with walts dog, daisy, next. However only 92,033 were gran torino sport models, like the one featured in the movie. The classic 1972 gran torino pictured above is now starring in the latest clint eastwood movie by the same name, gran torino. Dave beckett, from monett, looks over a gran torino he first purchased in 1972. Looks absolutely stunning in the green exterior the lines are straight as an arrow and the chrome is very impressive the interior is a one off velour that gives the vehicle a.
The car, featured in the clint eastwood movie gran torino, is now on display at warner brothers studios. Etsy is the home to thousands of handmade, vintage, and oneofakind products and gifts related to your search. The story focuses on walt kowalski, an angry, widowed war veteran, and people from the hmong community. Thaos initiation is to steal walts prized car, a 1972 gran torino sport. The 1972 gran torino was purchased for the movie from salt city classic and muscle, a vernal, utah, dealership. As ive pointed out before, the car is 1972 gran torino sport. The gang drags thao off his porch in an attempt to assault him.
Mar 20, 2018 this movie is one big wink reference in itself. In 1972, ford doubleddown on the torino and redesigned it once again. In fact, several of fomocos best option boxes were ticked on the movie car. This movie highlights the modern conditions surrounding many aspects of intercultural communications. Join sign up keep track of your favorite shows and movies, across all your devices. It is unclear how many cars survived the movie stunts, but this exemplary surviver is certainly very much alive and well. Gran torino is a 2008 american drama film directed and produced by clint eastwood, who also starred in the film. Jan 09, 2009 he is a korean war veteran whose prize possession is a 1972 gran torino he keeps in mint condition. Aug 04, 2009 perhaps the hardest part to stomach of gran torino is the repeated use of racial slurs. It handles extremely well, plenty of power, and turn key ready. Thats not a lot for a genuine movie star, but it sure is a helluva lot for a gran torino.
He plays walter walt kowalski, an elderly retired veteran of the korean war living in highland park, michigan a rundown suburb of detroit, shortly after the death of his wife. For sale 1972 gran torino sport restored and ready to rumble 2 door fastback 351 motor with only 5000. Based on what is presented in the movie, what would be some steps the son could have taken to reopen the lines of communication. Gran torino original theme song from the motion picture licensed to youtube by. The classic and gorgeous magnum 500 wheels wrapped in bf goodrich whiteletter, radial tires are present as is the fulllength gold laser stripe down the sides of the car, replete with the gran torino sport moniker. Gran torino is an awardwinning 2008 american drama film, directed and produced by clint eastwood. Along with the large underlying theme of life and death throughout the film i think it also has many biblicalreligious themes. Were back with our regular wednesday feature, hollywood classic cars.
Gran torino 2008 cast and crew credits, including actors, actresses, directors, writers and more. While one would not be hardpressed to identify other pieces of symbolism in gran torino, the three addressed here are definitely some of the most important. No matter what youre looking for or where you are in the world, our global marketplace of sellers can help you find unique and affordable options. Feb 19, 2009 t he ford gran torino earned its footnote in pop culture history when a ketchupred 75 model with a white racing stripe was featured every week in the tv cop show starsky and hutch. Detroit has been hit hard by the decline of the car industry, but isnt taking the setback lying down. Because, to main character walt kowalski, played by clint eastwood, this 1972 gran torino sport is his most prized possession. This was eastwoods first starring role since 2004s million dollar baby. When i got there they asked me how tall i was, i replied 60.
Film analysisgran torino essay example graduateway. The new torino also featured a gaping maw of a grille flanked by quad headlamps, a longhood, shortboot look and coke bottle flanks. Later, thao is seen driving the car along jefferson avenue with daisy. When his neighbor thao lor bee vang, a young hmong teenager under pressure from his gang member cousin, tries to steal his gran torino, kowalski sets out to reform the youth. The car here symbolizes the transformation of walt from his once racist self to a man who wanted his asian friend to have a nice car. Gran torino cast and crew cast photos and info fandango. Now available in three trim lines torino, gran torino, and gran torino sport the car was built on a new bodyonframe design. I was a little disappointed though that there wasnt as much car action as the commercial.
Ford produced a lot of muscle cars during the golden era but its best midsize muscle car was the 1972 gran torino sport which was produced when horsepower was falling just as fast as muscle car. Though the engine bay is only shown for a split second in the film, walts car packs fords hot motor for the unleadedgasolinemandated 72 model year, the 4bbl high output 351ci cleveland cobra jet v8. Posted in entertainment tagged chevrolet camaro, ford gran torino, starsky and hutch. Walt interrupts the robbery, pointing a rifle in thaos face and forcing him to flee. He is a korean war veteran whose prize possession is a 1972 gran torino he keeps in mint condition.
With sue at his side, thao manages to verbally confront them to no avail. Today we feature the 1975 ford gran torino from the tv show starsky and hutch. I want you to turn around, go outside, comeback and dont talk about having no job, no car, no girlfriend, no future. Jun 15, 2014 1972 gran torino sport used in the movie at the warner bros. This film should spark struggle, not certitude in its audience. Gran torino 2008 clint eastwood as walt kowalski imdb. Also sign me up for fanmail to get updates on all things movies. Enter your location to see which movie theaters are playing gran torino near you. I wanna get something off my chest, i have seen so much bickering over car titles. Unless the film title is completely about the car, its pretty rare. The film features a large hmong american cast, as well as one of eastwoods younger sons, scott.
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