Saul Bass


Saul Bass wasn’t just an artist who contributed to the first several minutes of some of the greatest movies in history; in my opinion his body of work qualifies him as one of the best filmmakers of this, or any other time.

— Steven Spielberg

Grand Prix title sequence, driver puts on goggles Grand Prix title sequence, engine close up Grand Prix title sequence, montage of nuts and bolts Grand Prix title sequence, nut being tightened Grand Prix title sequence, man takes a photo of driver Grand Prix title sequence, montage of rev counters

Role

You might not have heard of Saul Bass before, but you'll certainly have seen his work. Bass was a graphic designer who created logos for many large corporations, but more famously changed the way that film credits, and titles were made forever.

His work includes the title sequences to The Man with the Golden Arm, Around the World in Eighty Days, Vertigo, The Big Country, Anatomy of a Murder, North by Northwest, Psycho, Spartacus, Exodus, Ocean's 11, West Side Story, Walk on the Wild Side and many, many more.

But for "Grand Prix" he didn't just design the title sequence, he also produced all of the split screen, and montage work that are such a signature element of the film.

Stylistically, his contribution to the film was absolutely crucial. In fact it's very difficult to imagine "Grand Prix" without those mesmeric, iconic sequences.

Saul Bass Title Sequence