The Hire (2001)
Nine cinematic short films, one enigmatic driver, and a roster of world-class directors — BMW Films redefined what advertising could be.
The Hire - Series Information
- Original Title: The Hire
- First Air Year: 2001
- Last Air Year: 2016
- Created by: David Fincher
- Type: TV Series
- Genres: Action, Adventure, Crime
- Episode Runtime: Average runtime per episode (10 minutes)
- Number of Seasons: 3
- Number of Episodes: 9
- Status: Ended
- Original Language: English
- Spoken Languages: English
- Networks: BMW Films
- Alternative Titles: BMW Films (US), В прокат с водителем (RU), 赏金车神 (CN)
- Production Companies: BMW of North America, BMW Films
- Production Countries: United States of America
The Hire - Plot
BMW Films presents "The Hire", a series of nine short films produced for the Internet in 2001 and 2002, with a ninth short film following in 2016. A form of branded content, all nine short films feature popular filmmakers from across the globe, star Clive Owen as the "Driver", and highlight the performance aspects of various BMW automobiles.
The Hire - Trailer
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The Hire - Cast & Crew
Creator(s)
- David Fincher
Main Cast
- Clive Owen
- Stellan Skarsgård
- Maury Chaykin
- F. Murray Abraham
- Mason Lee
- Mickey Rourke
- Adriana Lima
- Forest Whitaker
- Madonna
- Michael Beattie
Writers
- David Carter
- Joe Sweet
- Andrew Kevin Walker
- Guy Ritchie
- Alejandro González Iñárritu
The Hire - FAQs
Who directed the short films in The Hire?
The Hire featured an extraordinary roster of directors across its nine films, including David Fincher, Guy Ritchie, Alejandro González Iñárritu, John Frankenheimer, Ang Lee, Wong Kar-wai, Tony Scott, Joe Carnahan, and Neill Blomkamp. Each brought a distinct visual style to the same central character.
Is The Hire based on a true story?
The Hire is entirely fictional, though it was groundbreaking as one of the earliest and most celebrated examples of branded entertainment. BMW commissioned the films to showcase the performance of their vehicles through cinematic storytelling rather than traditional advertising, blending fiction with product promotion in a genuinely innovative way.
What is The Hire series about?
The Hire follows a nameless, enigmatic driver played by Clive Owen who takes on a series of high-stakes assignments behind the wheel of various BMW automobiles. Each short film is a self-contained thriller, showcasing the Driver's extraordinary skill while featuring a different acclaimed director and a rotating cast of well-known actors.
Who plays the Driver in The Hire?
Clive Owen stars as the Driver in all nine short films, bringing a cool, understated charisma to the role. His performance was widely praised and significantly raised his international profile. The Driver remains unnamed throughout the series, adding to the character's mysterious, almost mythic quality.
How many films are in The Hire series?
The Hire consists of nine short films in total. Eight were produced and released online in 2001 and 2002 across two seasons, and a ninth film — directed by Neill Blomkamp — was released in 2016, marking a long-awaited return for the series and Clive Owen's Driver character.
Did The Hire win any awards or recognition?
The Hire was a landmark achievement in online content and earned widespread critical acclaim. It won multiple Cannes Lions advertising awards and is widely credited with pioneering the concept of branded entertainment. The series attracted over 100 million views online and is regularly cited as one of the most influential marketing campaigns ever produced.
Why did The Hire return in 2016 after a long hiatus?
BMW revived The Hire in 2016 with a new short film titled The Escape, directed by Neill Blomkamp and again starring Clive Owen. The return was driven by renewed interest in high-quality branded content and the rise of digital streaming, allowing BMW to reconnect with audiences through the same cinematic storytelling formula that made the original series iconic.
What are some shows similar to The Hire?
If The Hire's slick action and driver-centric thrills appeal to you, consider checking out Reacher (2022) for hard-edged action, The Sweeney (1975) for classic crime-driving drama, or The Fall Guy (1981) for stunt-driven adventure. For something more cinematic in tone, the film Drive (2007) captures a very similar mysterious-driver atmosphere.
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