Directed by:
William FriedkinScreenplay:
Ernest TidymanCinematography:
Owen RoizmanComposer:
Don EllisCast:
Gene Hackman, Fernando Rey, Roy Scheider, Tony Lo Bianco, Marcel Bozzuffi, Bill Hickman, Frédéric de Pasquale, Harold Gary, Eddie Egan, Benny Marino (more)VOD (4)
Plots(1)
New York City detectives "Popeye" Doyle (Gene Hackman) and Buddy Russo (Roy Scheider) hope to break a narcotics smuggling ring and ultimately uncover The French Connection. But when one of the criminals tries to kill Doyle, he begins a deadly pursuit that takes him far outside the city limits. (official distributor synopsis)
Videos (1)
Reviews (9)
As one of the cornerstones of classic crime films, this movie is a perfect example of directorial mastery, capable of delivering a unique cinematic experience even several decades later. With a simple and schematic plot, it relies on all the fundamental clichés that the crime genre offers. William Friedkin directs at a fast pace and creates his strongest moments out of utter banalities, such as a simple jog on the sidewalk while following a suspicious person. For the more demanding audience, he later features a fantastic car chase with extraordinary stunts. The pair of detectives, played by Gene Hackman and Roy Scheider, complement each other perfectly not only in character but also in acting. The French Connection perfectly fulfills the notion that in simplicity often lies the greatest beauty.
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Friedkin shot with a handheld camera and tried various directorial tricks to achieve as much authenticity as possible, and he succeeded to a great extent. Gene Hackman, in his first big role as a tough macho cop, made a strong impression, and his car chase with an overhead camera is unforgettable. A surprise in its time and well-deserved Oscar for Best Picture.
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Here the rules of the genre were rewritten. Friedkin films action much more dynamically than was generally the rule in the 70s. The legendary “Popeye" Gene Hackman is precisely the type of stubborn cop who lives for his job and pursues his target like a bulldog. The ingenious chase on the subway is one of the best ever made, but the raw finale with the subtitles was literally murder.
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This film is really well-edited, it has excellent pacing, great actors, but in order for me to rate it at maximum, I would also have to be entertained by the story. And honestly, the story didn't interest me that much. Not that it was completely boring, but I guess I was expecting more. However, William Friedkin made a truly excellent film with what he had.
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Last month, I saw in the media the passing of the legendary director William Friedkin. I decided that besides The Exorcist, I should catch up on The French Connection as well. Is it truly an excellent film overall, or is it notable primarily for its brilliantly directed car chase? I lean more toward the former. However, the film isn’t without its flaws; I can’t claim that. At times, the pace felt maddeningly slow, with the plot not advancing significantly (it was sometimes extreme, I must say). On the other hand, films from this era often had this pacing, so I can’t hold it entirely against it. Overall, though, I’m satisfied. The Hackman-Scheider duo provided flawless entertainment, and their chemistry worked perfectly. And that endlessly discussed elevated train chase? It definitely stuck in my memory. Great scene. We’ll see what the sequel brings. Frankenheimer, the director of the next installment, is known for another outstanding chase scene (Ronin). For me, Popeye Doyle and his crew earn a solid 7.5/10. P.S. The use of various camera angles was timeless. I was simply amazed :)
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