FRENCH CONNECTION, THE (1971, USA, 104m, 18) ****½
Action, Crime, Thriller
dist. Twentieth Century Fox (USA), Fox-Rank (UK); pr co. Twentieth Century Fox / Philip D’Antoni Productions / Schine-Moore Productions / D’Antoni Productions; d. William Friedkin; w. Ernest Tidyman (based on the book by Robin Moore); pr. Philip D’Antoni; ph. Owen Roizman (DeLuxe | 1.85:1); m. Don Ellis; ed. Gerald B. Greenberg; ad. Ben Kasazkow.
cast: Gene Hackman (Jimmy Doyle), Fernando Rey (Alain Charnier), Roy Scheider (Buddy Russo), Tony Lo Bianco (Sal Boca), Marcel Bozzuffi (Pierre Nicoli), Frédéric de Pasquale (Devereaux), Bill Hickman (Mulderig), Ann Rebbot (Marie Charnier), Harold Gary (Weinstock), Arlene Farber (Angie Boca), Eddie Egan (Simonson), André Ernotte (La Valle), Sonny Grosso (Klein), Benny Marino (Lou Boca), Patrick McDermott (Chemist), Alan Weeks (Pusher), Al Fann (Informant), Irving Abrahams (Police Mechanic), Randy Jurgensen (Police Sergeant), William Coke (Motorman).
Classic crime thriller in which New York City cop Popeye Doyle (Hackman) and his partner (Scheider) are trying to bust a drug cartel based in France. Albeit short-tempered, Doyle is a dedicated cop whose nemesis, Alain Charnier (Rey), is too polished for a criminal. Brilliantly filmed, gritty and absorbing crime thriller with a superb performance from Hackman as the single-minded cop. Shot on streets of New York during a cold winter adding to authentic feel. Friedkin stages some impressive action sequences- notably the car/train chase in Brooklyn. Real-life cops Egan and Rosso, who worked on the case the film was based on, appear in supporting roles. Winner of five Oscars including Best Film, Actor (Hackman), Director (Friedkin), Adapted Screenplay (Tidyman) and Editing (Greenberg). Based on the book by Robin Moore. Followed by FRENCH CONNECTION II (1975) and POPEYE DOYLE (1986) (TV).
AA: Best Picture; Best Actor in a Leading Role (Gene Hackman); Best Actor in a Supporting Role (Roy Scheider); Best Director (William Friedkin); Best Writing, Screenplay Based on Material from Another Medium (Ernest Tidyman)
AAN: Best Cinematography (Owen Roizman); Best Sound (Theodore Soderberg, Christopher Newman); Best Film Editing (Gerald B. Greenberg)