French Connection I & II [3 Discs]

Synopsis of French Connection I & II [3 Discs]

The two-movie, three-disc box set for The French Connection I and II is another feather in the Fox DVD cap. The first film, the big Oscar-winner from 1971, is just about as good as it gets. The image, at 1.85:1 and anamorphic, is outstanding. If there's any complaint, the disc shows the inherent inconsistencies of the documentary look that director William Friedkin was trying to achieve. DVD simply makes those "flaws" (though here they are intended) all the more obvious. The sound, a new 5.1 English track, is powerful but can only be remastered so much from the original source material. Still, all the nuances of gritty New York are there. The disc with the movie also has a number of features, including a commentary track from Friedkin and another from stars Gene Hackman and Roy Scheider. In addition, it has the trailer for the first movie. If that wasn't enough, the first French Connection has an additional second disc loaded with some fine supplements. The main two are documentaries, one from the BBC, about an hour long, covering the making of the film, while the other is an in-depth look at the "untold stories" of this historic case as seen by detective Sonny Grosso. In addition to this are seven deleted scenes that can be watched by themselves or in a separate section hosted by Friedkin. Finally, there is a decent photo gallery (though only one poster is included) and two trailers, once again for this film and for The French Connection II. As for the second movie in this set, The French Connection II is almost as well put together. The 1.85:1 anamorphic transfer is equal in quality to the first movie with strong contrast and excellent saturation of colors. This film is not as gritty as the first, and the general look of the film is more "cinematic." The sound though is a major letdown with only a stereo track that makes little use of the sound field. Extras, on the other hand, are rather plentiful, especially for a film that was not so well-received. Of great interest, just like the first disc, are two audio commentary tracks, this time from director John Frankenheimer and the other from Hackman and producer Robert Rosen. While Frankenheimer is quite vocal in his comments, the other two leave significant gaps without discussion. Finally, along with the trailer in three different languages, there is a photo gallery covering the costumes and storyboards for specific scenes. All in all, this is a set that should not be passed up. ~ Trent Fordham, All Movie Guide

Theatrical Feature Running Time:

223 mins

Theatrical MPAA Rating:

R

Warning:  This product is intended for mature audiences only. It may contain violence, sexual content, drug abuse and/or strong language. You must be 17 or older to purchase it. By ordering this item you are certifying that you are at least 17 years of age.

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