Image by kishjar
The three-pointed star of Mercedes-Benz is an iconic logo around the world; a symbol of style and luxury. Leading the way since 1881, the company is a global brand and has managed to create everything from speedy Silver Arrows to elegant sedans. It isn’t only on the street and track that we’ve seen them though as, over the years, the cars have made appearances in a number movies on the big screen. Let’s take a look at the top 10.
Transformers: Dark of the Moon (2011)
The third instalment of the popular science fiction action film made more that $1 billion at box office and featured the Mercedes SLS AMG. It is the most expensive model to be used on the big screen and was driven by lead character, and real-life supermodel, Rosie Huntington-Whitely.
A glamorous driver for what is an elegant and sleek piece of kit, this was a great addition to the cast. The iconic gull-wing doors were a key feature and it transformed into Soundwave, a Decepticon.
Lost Highway (1997)
A somewhat different type of move, this mystery thriller with the gangster Mr Eddy sees the Mercedes 450SEL 6.9 involved in a memorable scene. This is where Mr Eddy is taking the motor on a slow country drive before the driver behind, in a Thunderbird, begins to tailgate him. He is waved past, but in doing so raises a finger to Eddy who doesn’t take it well. Putting his foot to the gas, the 1,400 horsepower car flies down the road and smashes the car before they proceed to teach them a lesson, if you will.
Both crash and bullet proof in the film, it is what you might imagine to be the ideal car for a mob boss.
(this clip contains both violence and bad language)
The Hangover (2009)
The first, and best, movie of the comedy trilogy starring Bradley Cooper, Ed Helms, Zach Galifianakis and Justin Bartha follows a crazy stag-do and “a night they’ll never forget”. For this they need a car and, sandwiched between stealing a police car, this is the 280 SE convertible.
Five of these cars were built for filming and apparently two remain. It was an integral part of the film and one of the best uses of a Mercedes on the big screen.
Liar Liar (1997)
The hilarious hit comedy follows a lawyer who lies about reasons why he has to work instead of being with his family. When Jim Carrey’s character, Fletcher Reede, is forced to tell the truth for a day he embarks on some embarrassing incidents.
From this point on he doesn’t lie and one of the most memorable scenes includes a trip down to the impound where his pride and joy, a Mercedes SL 500, has been scratched.
The Rookie (1990)
“Engineered like no other car” is what Clint Eastwood says when he and Charlie Sheen find themselves unscathed following a warehouse explosion. It is in reference to the 500 SL that he drove through a second storey window as it lands on the floor intact. The comment is seemingly blatant product placement during an advertising era that worked the ‘engineering’ aspect heavily.
A Good Day to Die Hard (2013)
The fifth film in the series, and not the first time we’ve seen a Mercedes car on screen with Bruce Willis and company. An epic chase scene in the third part Die Hard: With A Vengeance included a 1986 560 SEL but in the latest instalment we were treated to a few more ranges.
As the film moves through the streets of Moscow we see a number of G-Classes, Sprinters and multi-purpose Unimogs during a key chase scene. A lot of these lose the battle but the brand, and Bruce Willis, wins the war.
Batman and Robin (1997)
In the days before Nolan, we were treated to the red 600 limousine in Batman & Robin. With an all-star cast it was what was used to transport Uma Thurman, playing Poison Ivy, across Gotham city. It’s only a brief stint, but a motor that’s been used by Jack Nicholson, Bill Cosby and Elvis Presley off screen is an iconic Mercedes.
Spaceballs (1987)
Last, but by no means least, is the 2001 SEL Limited Editions – so limited, in fact, that it was only made for the film. Dean Jeffries was the man behind the incredible hovercraft, that didn’t have a motor during filming. The science fiction parody, directed by Mel Brooks, is a poke at Star Wars where the save a planet and rescue a princess.
It was an impressive build and, although it does now have a motor, spends most of its time in the Justice Brothers Racing Museum. Not a car but, somehow, even cooler.