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The French Connection

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02:47

The French Connection

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• Drama
• Thriller

• 1971
• William Friedkin
• 99 mins
• X

Summary

Oscar-winning crime drama starring Gene Hackman, Fernando Rey and Roy Scheider. Jimmy "Popeye" Doyle, a relentlessly tough New York policeman, becomes obsessed with smashing a narcotics ring operating between Marseille and the USA. In his pursuit of the truth, Doyle finds himself at odds not only with the criminals but also with his superiors.

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IMDB

Review

A star rating of 5 out of 5.

Andrew Collins

Based on a real-life drugs bust by New York narcotics cops, this crime drama from director William Friedkin brings a fluid, documentary-style realism to Ernest Tidyman's adaptation that makes it one of the most influential movies of a very fertile decade for American film. Gene Hackman made his name (and won an Oscar) as wild-card detective "Popeye" Doyle, chasing down Fernando Rey's suave French drugs overlord before the "connection" can be made. Grey, nippy and sleazy, this is the underside of New York and a distinctly non-glamorous portrait of police life in which Hackman and sidekick Roy Scheider sit for hours in cars watching doorways and eating fast food. The frantic action sequences - such as the film's iconic car chase beneath an elevated train track - are handled with the same sense of thrilling authenticity.

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7.6/10

How to watch

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Streaming

• Disney+
• Sky Store

Credits

Cast

rolenameJimmy "Popeye" DoyleGene HackmanAlain CharnierFernando ReyBuddy RussoRoy ScheiderSal BocaTony LoBiancoPierre NicoliMarcel BozzuffiDevereauxFrederic de PasqualeMulderigBill HickmanWalt SimonsonEddie EganBill KleinSonny Grosso

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Crew

rolenameDirectorWilliam Friedkin

Details

Theatrical distributor

20th Century Fox Film Co. Ltd

Released on

1972-01-18

Languages

English | Italian | French

Guidance

Violence, swearing, drug abuse.

Available on

video, DVD and Blu-ray

Formats

Colour

News & features about The French Connection

• 
  
  Freeview film of the day: Friday 15 September – The French Connection
  
  Late-night showing (set those recorders) of the 1970s classic starring Gene Hackman as detective "Popeye" Doyle

• 
  
  Gene Hackman, 95, and wife Betsy Arakawa, 63, found dead in home alongside dog
  
  The Oscar-winning actor was known for his roles in Superman, The French Connection and more.

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• 
  
  Gene Hackman and wife Betsy Arakawa's causes of death confirmed by New Mexico medical investigator
  
  News of the couple's death was announced last week.

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