The French Connection
1971
****
Director: William Friedkin
Cast: Gene Hackman, Fernando Rey, Roy Scheider, Tony LoBianco, Marcel Bozzuffi, Frédéric de Pasquale, Bill Hickman, Ann Rebbot, Harold Gary
Two relentless NYPD narcotics detectives, Doyle and Russo, are determined to bring down a heroin ring and capture its French leader. William Friedkin's tense and realistic crime film is most famous for its gritty documentary style, which has influenced dozens of filmakers. The celebrated car chase still looks impressive. Ernest Tidyman's script, on the other hand, is not much more than a 100-minute tailing scene. Gene Hackman gives a strong performance as Doyle, a bigot whose dogged determination pushes him to the edge. The film won Academy Awards for best picture, directing, writing, editing, and acting (Hackman). Based on Robin Moore's 1969 non-fiction book. Followed by French Connection II.
