For the opening to the 1994 action film “Speed,” Keanu Reeves and Jeff Daniels find themselves pitted against a bomber, played by Dennis Hopper, who has rigged an elevator with explosives, demanding money in order to spare the hostages trapped inside.  The opening was filmed at the The Gas Company Tower in Downtown Los Angeles. The same location was featured in the film “Charlie’s Angels.”

LOCATION: 555 W 5th St, Los Angeles, CA 90013

Jack and Harry, played by Keanu Reeves and Jeff Daniels, make their introduction into the film flying down into frame in a speeding cop car right next to The Gas Company Tower. This same location was featured in the film “They Live.”

LOCATION: Near the intersection of Hope Pl / S Grand Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90071 (facing towards W 5th St)

After the elevator job goes wrong, the bomber resurfaces by blowing up a bus as Jack exits a restaurant.  This is The Firehouse restaurant in Venice, which still operates today.

LOCATION: 213 Rose Ave, Venice, CA 90291

The bus makes a hard right, with all the passengers moving to one side, in an attempt to prevent it from tipping over, at the 110 and 105 freeway interchange. This same spot is seen in the film “Falling Down,” where the character played by Michael Douglas fires a bazooka at the construction site.

LOCATION: Intersection of S Broadway / W 112th St, Los Angeles, CA 90061 (the bus turns right on W Imperial Hwy)

The famous bus jump scene was filmed on the Judge Harry Pregerson Interchange, which connects the 110 and 105 freeways in Los Angeles, back when it was still under construction.  The same interchange was used for the opening dance sequence in “La La Land.”

LOCATION: I-110 / I-105, Los Angeles, CA 90061

Late in the film, Howard Payne sets up a money drop for his ransom at Pershing Square in downtown Los Angeles, just a couple blocks from where the opening scenes were shot.

LOCATION: 532 S Olive St, Los Angeles, CA 90013 (near the intersection of S Hill St / W 5th St)

Just a bit further down S Hill St, next to the above shot, you’ll see this structure, also located in Pershing Square.  A sniper is posted beside the ball sculpture, waiting for Payne to surface, unaware the bomber has different plans.