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American screenwriter Alan Trustman passed away on February 5th at a care facility in Miami at the age of 95. Trustman is renowned for writing the screenplays of several timeless films such as The Thomas Crown Affair and Bullitt, both released in 1968. These films starred Steve McQueen in the leading roles, which are considered among his most iconic performances.
Trustman's Early Life and Shift from Law to Cinema
Alan Robert Trustman was born on December 16, 1930, in Brooklyn, Massachusetts. He received his early education at prestigious institutions including Boston Latin School and Phillips Exeter Academy, before graduating from Harvard University in 1952 and then Harvard Law School in 1955. Initially, he worked as a lawyer at one of Boston’s largest law firms, where his father was a partner at Nutter McClennen & Fish.
However, his transition to the film industry was driven by creative boredom. This shift was catalyzed when Y.A. Tittle, the New York Giants football quarterback, retired, leaving a gap in Trustman’s Sunday leisure time. He utilized this free time to develop a story idea about a bank robbery inspired by his summer job at the First National Bank in Boston. This idea eventually evolved into the film The Thomas Crown Affair.
Cinematic Successes with 'The Thomas Crown Affair' and 'Bullitt'
Trustman successfully promoted his idea through his university connections and secured a literary agent in New York. The concept was developed into a screenplay and produced as The Thomas Crown Affair, directed by Norman Jewison and produced by Walter Mirisch. The film was primarily shot in Boston and starred Steve McQueen as millionaire Thomas Crown and Faye Dunaway as investigator Vicki Anderson.
Five months after the release of The Thomas Crown Affair, the film Bullitt was released. Its story was adapted from a novel by Robert L. Fish, with Trustman co-writing the screenplay alongside Harry Kleiner. Trustman chose English director Peter Yates for his first American film due to Yates’s expertise in directing chase scenes, as demonstrated in his previous film Robbery (1967).
Bullitt featured the character Frank Bullitt, a San Francisco police officer played by Steve McQueen. The film is famous for its car chase scenes, regarded as some of the best in cinematic history. The core of the film revolves around action and authentic chases set against the unique geographical terrain of the city.
The Influence of San Francisco on the 'Bullitt' Screenplay
In a 2014 interview, Trustman revealed that the Bullitt screenplay was originally written to suit New York City. However, after producers and the lead actor insisted on relocating the scenes to San Francisco, he was very pleased. Trustman had prior knowledge of San Francisco from his previous work at a law firm there, which allowed him to depict the city’s details realistically.
He also discussed the experience of driving on San Francisco’s steep streets, which cause cars to momentarily lift off the ground during high-speed chases. This phenomenon was creatively incorporated into the film’s thrilling chase sequences.
Other Contributions and Trustman’s Film Career
Trustman’s creativity extended beyond these two films. He co-wrote the screenplay for They Call Me Mister Tibbs! (1970), directed by Gordon Douglas and starring Sidney Poitier as detective Virgil Tibbs in the sequel to the Oscar-winning film In the Heat of the Night (1967).
Although his Hollywood career was not lengthy, Trustman left a clear mark on the film industry through his innovative ideas and tightly crafted screenplays that combined suspense with dramatic depth.
Alan Trustman’s Legacy and Standing in Cinema
Trustman was distinguished by his ability to transform simple stories, such as a bank robbery, into unforgettable cinematic works characterized by elegance and vitality. Beyond his writing talent, he had a strong presence and an inspiring personality that influenced the entire production. For example, he convinced director Norman Jewison to tour a bank to understand how the robbery could be realistically executed, adding a high level of authenticity to the film.
Alan Trustman left an important creative legacy in cinema, contributing to some of the most memorable and frequently screened films to this day. His name remains associated with pioneering the exciting and thrilling action genre in American cinema.