From Steve McQueen to James Bond: The incredible story of Alfa Romeo in the cinema

Since its inception, Alfa Romeo has been synonymous with sportiness, design, and emotion. These qualities, combined with the photogenic appeal of its most iconic models, have forged a lasting relationship with the seventh art. The Biscione's vehicles have shone on the big screen, bringing elegance and character to numerous film productions.

From the tracks to the celluloid

With roots deeply tied to racing, it's no surprise that Alfa Romeo's earliest film appearances were linked to racing and sporting events. A notable example is the British film "Death Drives Through" (1935), set in the world of racing and filmed on circuits like Brooklands. This film, which featured John Huston on the screenwriting team, marked one of the brand's first significant forays into cinema.

The relationship between Alfa Romeo and racing is also reflected in classics such as 'Le Mans' (1971), starring Steve McQueen , where the Alfa Romeo Tipo 33/3 has a prominent role.

The Spider and Hollywood: An Iconic Connection

One of Alfa Romeo's most iconic moments in film is its appearance in 'The Graduate' (1967). In this film, Dustin Hoffman drives an Alfa Romeo Spider 1600 Duetto, a model that became iconic thanks to its design and presence in the film. Curiously, actor Steve McQueen was one of the first to test drive this model in the United States , which contributed to its popularity in Hollywood .

Launched in 1966, the Spider followed in the footsteps of the Giulietta Spider, which also appeared in films such as Fellini's 'La Dolce Vita' and Antonioni's 'Eclipse'.

Alfa Romeo in Italian and European cinema

In Italy , Alfa Romeo vehicles have been featured in cinematic movements such as Neorealism. In 'Abasso la Miseria' (1945), a 1929 Alfa Romeo GC 1750 Turismo accompanies the protagonists, while in 'Viento del Sur' (1959), the 1900 Super symbolizes the power of organized crime in Sicily .

One of the most famous sagas in which an Alfa Romeo appears is, without a doubt, ' The Godfather ', which features an Alfa Romeo 6C 2500 Sport, a vehicle that Michael Corleone himself used during his exile in Sicily.

Stylish chases in action movies

Alfa Romeo models have been essential parts of action and thriller films . In 1970s Italian crime films, vehicles like the Giulia and the Spider starred in memorable chases in films like "Roma a mano armata" and "Napoli Violencia."

And if we were talking about famous sagas with 'The Godfather', the presence of Alfa Romeo in the well-known ' James Bond ' films is no exception. A GTV6 appears in 'Octopussy' (1983), while in 'Quantum of Solace' (2008), Daniel Craig is pursued by several Alfa Romeo 159 Ti, in one of the most successful chase scenes in cinema in recent years.

Fun fact

The Museo Storico Alfa Romeo in Arese has a room called 'Always a Star', dedicated to the brand's film appearances, with models such as the Giulietta Spider and the Duetto on display.