The French Connection (1971)

Synopsis of The French Connection

This gritty, fast-paced, and innovative police drama earned five Academy Awards, including Best Picture, Best Adapted Screenplay (written by Ernest Tidyman), and Best Actor (Gene Hackman). Jimmy "Popeye" Doyle (Hackman) and his partner, Buddy Russo (Roy Scheider), are New York City police detectives on narcotics detail, trying to track down the source of heroin from Europe into the United States. Suave Alain Charnier (Fernando Rey) is the French drug kingpin who provides a large percentage of New York City's dope, and Pierre Nicoli (Marcel Bozzuffi) is a hired killer and Charnier's right-hand man. Acting on a hunch, Popeye and Buddy start tailing Sal Boca (Tony Lo Bianco) and his wife, Angie (Arlene Faber), who live pretty high for a couple whose corner store brings in about 7,000 dollars a year. It turns out Popeye's suspicions are right -- Sal and Angie are the New York agents for Charnier, who will be smuggling 32 million dollars' worth of heroin into the city in a car shipped over from France. The French Connection broke plenty of new ground for screen thrillers; Popeye Doyle was a highly unusual "hero," an often violent, racist, and mean-spirited cop whose dedication to his job fell just short of dangerous obsession. The film's high point, a high-speed car chase with Popeye tailing an elevated train, was one of the most viscerally exciting screen moments of its day and set the stage for dozens of action sequences to follow. And the film's grimy realism (and downbeat ending) was a big change from the buff-and-shine gloss and good-guys-always-win heroics of most police dramas that preceded it. The French Connection was inspired by a true story, and Eddie Egan and Sonny Grosso, Popeye and Buddy's real life counterparts, both have small roles in the film. A sequel followed four years later. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

See All The French Connection Trailers and Clips

Theatrical Feature Running Time:

104 mins

Director(s):

William Friedkin

Writer(s):

Ernest Tidyman

Producer(s):

Phil D'Antoni

Theatrical MPAA Rating:

R(Adult Situations, Substance Abuse, Violence, Not For Children, Adult Language)

Categories:

Action / Adventure

• 1998 - American Film Institute - 100 Greatest American Movies
• 1972 - British Academy of Film and Television Arts - Best Actor
• 1972 - British Academy of Film and Television Arts - Best Editing
• 1971 - Directors Guild of America - Best Director
• 1971 - Edgar Allan Poe Awards - Best Screenplay
• 1971 - Golden Globe - Best Picture - Drama
• 1971 - Hollywood Foreign Press Association - Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture - Drama
• 1971 - Hollywood Foreign Press Association - Best Director
• 1971 - Hollywood Foreign Press Association - Best Picture - Drama
• 1971 - National Board of Review - Best Actor
• 1971 - New York Film Critics Circle - Best Actor

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.

Looking for special editions of The French Connection?

See All Versions

Subtitles:

Check All Versions

Closed Captioning:

Check All Versions