The French Connection Movie Review 1971

Popeye Doyle (Hackman) and his partner Buddy Russo (Scheider) are a couple of hard-nosed NYC narcotics detectives who stumble onto what turns out to be one of the biggest narcotics rings of all time, involving French mastermind Alain Charnier (Rey). Cat-and-mouse thriller will keep you on the edge of your seat; contains one of the most exciting chase scenes ever filmed. Hackman's portrayal of Doyle is exact and the teamwork with Scheider special. Based on a true story from the book by Robin Moore. Followed in 1975 by "French Connection 2."

Distribution

CBS/Fox Video, 1330 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10019, Phone: (212)373-4800, Toll-free: 800-800-4369, Fax: (212)373-4803, Remarks: Does not handle retail queries from consumers; contact your local video distributor.

Available on VHS, DVD
Running time 102 minutes.

Cast and Crew

Genres

Subways, Cops, Top Grossing Films of 1971, New York, New York, Up All Night

Screenplay

Ernest Tidyman

Cast

Gene Hackman, Roy Scheider, Fernando Rey, Tony LoBianco, Eddie Egan, Sonny Grosso, Marcel Bozzuffi

Cinematography

Owen Roizman

Director

William Friedkin

Music

Don Ellis

Producer

20th Century-Fox, Philip D'Antoni

Awards

Oscars 1971: Actor (Hackman), Adapt. Screenplay, Director (Friedkin), Film Editing, Picture; AFI 1998: Top 100; British Acad. 1972: Actor (Hackman); Directors Guild 1971: Director (Friedkin); Golden Globes 1972: Actor--Drama (Hackman), Director (Friedkin), Film--Drama; Natl. Bd. of Review 1971: Actor (Hackman), Natl. Film Reg. 2005;; N.Y. Film Critics 1971: Actor (Hackman); Writers Guild 1971: Adapt. Screenplay.