LA used to have a famous orange glow which Drive captured before 160,000 LEDs changed the skyline forever

The skyline of LA is one of the most iconic views anywhere in the world.

But did you know that it actually used to have a famous orange glow?

The 2011 film Drive perfectly captured this essence before it all changed.

And that is because these orange lights were soon replaced by 160,000 LEDs, changing the skyline forever.

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Drive captures LA skyline right before orange glow is gone

Even if you have never been, most of you will have seen the Los Angeles skyline.

Whether from the Griffith Observatory or the iconic Hollywood sign, the Los Angeles skyline is absolutely spectacular.

But it actually used to be very different from what you have probably seen.

And that is because the skyline over the city used to have an orange glow to it.

There is an incredibly famous and brilliant film that best captures it.

It is a film that is unique, because it is a cult classic that has now become beloved by the mainstream.

And that film, of course, is the 2011 film Drive – starring Ryan Gosling, Carey Mulligan, and Bryan Cranston.

We won’t bore you with the whole movie plot – even though we absolutely would and could.

But it is the beginning of the film that is perhaps its most famous part.

The opening scene of Drive features Ryan Gosling traveling to collect two thieves as part of a heist.

They end up escaping by mixing with emerging LA Clippers fans coming out of the-then Staples Center.

But the opening credits scene is considered one of the biggest masterpieces in modern cinema.

Set to Nightcall by Kavinsky, the opening credits feature some staggering shots of the skyline.

The shots showcase the entire skyline of downtown Los Angeles back when it all glowed orange.

And it truly is a sight to behold – one which the film captures absolutely perfectly.

Los Angeles looks a lot…brighter than before

You might be wondering at this point why we are so nostalgic for a view of a skyline.

You might also be wondering what is so important about Drive itself capturing said skyline.

Well, there is a very good reason for this nostalgia.

And that is because Drive is one of the last pieces of film to capture the skyline with its orange glow.

Soon after, the city of Los Angeles began replacing old, orange bulbs with LEDs.

In fact, 160,000 streetlights were converted to LED bulbs by the city.

It still offers spectacular views, but now that warm, orange glow is gone.

Instead, the skyline of the city offers a glittering, white-dotted view from up high.

By the early 2020s, about 98 percent of LA’s streetlights had been swapped for LEDs.

This is why the Drive film has so much of a time capsule feel.

Because it captures the Los Angeles skyline right before a massive change to a cultural icon.