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IMDbPro

The French Connection

  • 19711971
  • 18+18+
  • 1h 44m
IMDb RATING
7.7/10
125K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
2,200
323
Gene Hackman and Marcel Bozzuffi in The French Connection (1971)
Trailer for The French Connection
Play trailer2:48
4 Videos
99+ Photos
ActionCrimeDrama
A pair of NYPD detectives in the Narcotics Bureau stumble onto a heroin smuggling ring based in Marseilles, but stopping them and capturing their leaders proves an elusive goal.A pair of NYPD detectives in the Narcotics Bureau stumble onto a heroin smuggling ring based in Marseilles, but stopping them and capturing their leaders proves an elusive goal.A pair of NYPD detectives in the Narcotics Bureau stumble onto a heroin smuggling ring based in Marseilles, but stopping them and capturing their leaders proves an elusive goal.
IMDb RATING
7.7/10
125K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
2,200
323
    • William Friedkin
    • Ernest Tidyman(screenplay by)
    • Robin Moore(based on the book by)
  • Stars
    • Gene Hackman
    • Roy Scheider
    • Fernando Rey
    • William Friedkin
    • Ernest Tidyman(screenplay by)
    • Robin Moore(based on the book by)
  • Stars
    • Gene Hackman
    • Roy Scheider
    • Fernando Rey
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 389User reviews
    • 177Critic reviews
    • 94Metascore
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Won 5 Oscars

    Videos4

    The French Connection
    Trailer 2:48
    Watch The French Connection
    'The French Connection' | Anniversary Mashup
    Clip 1:00
    Watch 'The French Connection' | Anniversary Mashup
    The French Connection
    Interview 1:36
    Watch The French Connection
    Christopher Meloni Knows How to Spot a Good Cop
    Video 2:34
    Watch Christopher Meloni Knows How to Spot a Good Cop

    Photos178

    Gene Hackman in The French Connection (1971)
    Gene Hackman in The French Connection (1971)
    Gene Hackman in The French Connection (1971)
    Gene Hackman and William Friedkin in The French Connection (1971)
    Gene Hackman, William Friedkin, Roy Scheider, Eddie Egan, and Bill Hickman in The French Connection (1971)
    Gene Hackman, William Friedkin, Roy Scheider, Eddie Egan, and Randy Jurgensen in The French Connection (1971)
    Gene Hackman in The French Connection (1971)
    Gene Hackman in The French Connection (1971)
    Gene Hackman, William Friedkin, Roy Scheider, Eddie Egan, and Randy Jurgensen in The French Connection (1971)
    Gene Hackman in The French Connection (1971)
    Marcel Bozzuffi in The French Connection (1971)
    Gene Hackman and William Friedkin in The French Connection (1971)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Gene Hackman
    Gene Hackman
    • Jimmy Doyle
    Roy Scheider
    Roy Scheider
    • Buddy Russo
    Fernando Rey
    Fernando Rey
    • Alain Charnier
    Tony Lo Bianco
    Tony Lo Bianco
    • Sal Boca
    Marcel Bozzuffi
    Marcel Bozzuffi
    • Pierre Nicoli
    Frédéric de Pasquale
    • Henri Devereaux
    • (as Frederic De Pasquale)
    Bill Hickman
    Bill Hickman
    • Agent Bill Mulderig
    Ann Rebbot
    • Marie Charnier
    Harold Gary
    • Joel Weinstock
    Arlene Farber
    • Angie Boca
    Eddie Egan
    Eddie Egan
    • Capt. Walt Simonson
    André Ernotte
    • La Valle
    • (as Andre Ernotte)
    Sonny Grosso
    • Agent Clyde Klein
    Benny Marino
    • Lou Boca
    Patrick McDermott
    Patrick McDermott
    • Harvey - Chemist
    • (as Pat McDermott)
    Alan Weeks
    Alan Weeks
    • Pusher
    Al Fann
    Al Fann
    • Informant
    Irving Abrahams
    • Irv - Police Mechanic
      • William Friedkin
      • Ernest Tidyman(screenplay by)
      • Robin Moore(based on the book by)
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      According to William Friedkin, the significance of the straw hat being tossed onto the shelf of the rear window in Doyle and Russo's car was that at that time it was a universal signal in New York City that the undercover cops in the car were on duty.
    • Goofs
      Early on in the movie, a Frenchman is shot. The "blood" is coming from a clearly visible hose at the bottom of the screen, which squirts red paint at the actor's face.
    • Quotes

      Jimmy 'Popeye' Doyle: You dumb guinea.

      Buddy "Cloudy" Russo: How the hell did I know he had a knife.

      Jimmy 'Popeye' Doyle: Never trust a nigger.

      Buddy "Cloudy" Russo: He could have been white.

      Jimmy 'Popeye' Doyle: Never trust anyone!

    • Crazy credits
      The 20th-Century Fox logo appears in black and white and then slowly dissolving to color.
    • Alternate versions
      The version released on first Blu-ray release features a radically-different color scheme from all earlier versions - it was recolored with the assistance of 'William Friedkin (I)'. The second Blu-ray release features a color scheme more like all the previous versions.
    • Connections
      Featured in Monsieur Cinéma: Episode dated 23 January 1972 (1972)
    • Soundtracks
      Everybody Gets to Go to the Moon
      (1969) (uncredited)

      Written by Jimmy Webb

      Performed by The Three Degrees in the club

    User reviews389

    Review
    Review
    Featured review
    8/10
    Gene Hackman's Show!
    I remember watching The French Connection for the first time several years ago. I knew people regarded it as an instant classic, so I was expecting to love it. But the power of subjectivity appeared, and it turned out I didn't like it all too much. In discussions with cinema lovers, I was lambasted because people see this as one of the all-time greats. I watched this for a second time recently, and how about that! My opinion changed. While not calling this film an all-time great, I do respect and like it very much. The film fits the definition of a 70's American film. It is dark, gritty, and features some heavy violence. Also, the film happens to be home of one of cinema's greatest car chases. Essentially, the movie is a giant chase but that particular car chase is something else. I'll discuss it more later on in this review.

    This Oscar-winning film takes us onto the streets of New York City following two detectives, Jimmy 'Popeye' Doyle (Gene Hackman) and his partner, Buddy Russo (Roy Scheider). Popeye is infamous for taking in street-level drug dealers, and at best his policework can be described as shady. He's violent drunk cop with low ethical standards, and his career is rapidly falling apart. But he seizes his biggest opportunity when he learns of a huge heroin shipment coming from France. Now we have an interesting contrast between Popeye and the heroin smuggler, Alain Charnier (Fernando Rey). I just mentioned Popeye has low moral standards, but he still is a dedicated cop. On the other hand, Charnier is a smooth gentleman that no one can predict he is a criminal. Now the standoff between the two men begins when Popeye does all he can to bring Charnier in.

    Now going back to that car chase! It was a wonderfully executed car chase and what I like is that it is all real. There was an actual chase filmed in Brooklyn exactly how you see it on screen. It's crazy too because the chase is about a simple car trying to outrun and outmaneuver a moving train which eventually has a dead conductor at the wheel. So then it turns into a psychologically-crazy man versus machine kind of chase. The chase also proves the recklessness of Popeye. He held no regard for the common people as he had close calls with them during the chase. He was basically using the people for his benefit….in an oddly positive way. Some of the camera techniques are very effective. They filmed in a way where the subjects are actually further away from the cars than shown on screen….which must have been a relief for some of the actors. But yes, this is one of the biggest car chases to have ever been filmed so this film is a must-see just for that.

    Speaking of actors, well yes let's talk about the acting. Director William Friedkin famously did not want Gene Hackman in the lead role. Hackman, by 1971 was already a bankable star, but Friedkin did not think so. Luckily, they decided to cast Hackman anyway and it's a good thing they did. Hackman is one of those actors who can do any genre and always gives his best effort. I loved his performance here and his character was perhaps the only three-dimensional character in the film because the film spends so much time on him. But I was won over by Hackman almost right away. The scene where he enters a bar and violently asks everyone to turn out their pockets in the search for drugs-well, I knew I would be in for a treat. I was happy to see his performance win Best Actor at the Academy Awards. Roy Scheider does a solid job as Popeye's partner, but I didn't feel the same way for him as I did for Popeye. There was nothing much to do for him except to act as a backup. Same goes for Fernando Rey. A very solid performance, but his character was also under-utilized.

    The French Connection is a violent, fast-paced film. I said in my opening the movie plays like one giant chase, but I liked the frenetic pacing of the movie. My favorite scene is no doubt that car chase, but I loved the smaller scenes especially the ones where Popeye is up to no good. I also loved the actual photography of the film. Sure, the movie is over forty years old but seeing the streets of my favorite city in the world always makes me happy as it brings back some fond memories. The film has a violent nature and it may take you by surprise, but this film is heralded by many as an instant classic. I may not think so, but I did enjoy it very much.

    My Grade: B+
    helpful•17
    7
    • gab-14712
    • Oct 18, 2017

    FAQ6

    • Why exactly is the lead cop named "Popeye" if it's not a reference to the cartoon character?
    • What does Popeye mean when he calls Charnier "Frog One"?
    • Why does Popeye keep hammering Willy with the "pick your feet Poughkeepsie" line?

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • October 9, 1971 (United States)
      • United States
      • 20th Century Studios (United States)
      • English
      • French
    • Also known as
    • Filming locations
      • Château d'If, Marseille, Bouches-du-Rhône, France
    • Production companies
      • Twentieth Century Fox
      • Philip D'Antoni Productions
      • Schine-Moore Productions
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • 1 hour 44 minutes
      • Color
      • 4-Track Stereo

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