The French Connection
Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation | Release Date: October 7, 1971
8.4
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Universal acclaim based on 214 Ratings
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Negative:
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8
SpangleJul 2, 2017
Between The French Connection and The Exorcist, the early 1970s were clearly William Friedkin's high-point in his long career. While he made many good films outside of those two, none really reached the heights of either in the minds ofBetween The French Connection and The Exorcist, the early 1970s were clearly William Friedkin's high-point in his long career. While he made many good films outside of those two, none really reached the heights of either in the minds of critics and audiences alike. In finally watching The French Connection, it is not hard to see why it has been often cited as one of the best American films ever made. Set in New York City, the film shows two morally iffy narcotics detectives stumble upon a drug ring that has ties to a dealer in Marseille, France. Going off of hunches and some neighborhood crackdowns, the two men will do whatever it takes to bring down these dealers, even if it means losing themselves in the process. With intense chase scenes, great characters, and a thrilling realization of a true story, William Friedkin's The French Connection certainly lives up to the hype.

Time-after-time, The French Connection is absolutely mind boggling. Taking the voyeurism of Alfred Hitchcock's Vertigo and adding it to the thrill of a foot or car chase, The French Connection is the film equivalent of a testosterone-laced speedball. One needs to look no further than Gene Hackman as Detective Jimmy Doyle chasing a train in his car from underneath the tracks for why this film is so deeply masculine. A thrilling chase, it is as great as it is insane to watch unfold with Doyle putting one eye on the train above - which has a burgeoning hostage situation to add to the tension ten-fold - and the other on the road where he plays bumper cars with civilians. In addition to this car chase, there are numerous scenes of Doyle following a potential perpetrator where the game of cat-and-mouse really takes hold, especially with Alain Charnier (Fernando Rey). Ducking and weaving around a subway station with Charnier fully aware that Doyle is there, the two have one hell of a battle of the minds as they try to stay one step ahead of one another at all times. By now, The French Connection has become revered for its chase sequences and, honestly, it is not hard to imagine why. The plot is compelling, the characters are strong, and the chases give audiences that "heart in the throat" feeling that many films aim for, but fall woefully short of achieving.

Perhaps one of The French Connection's greatest accomplishments is showing both the similarities and the differences between cops and criminals. For the former, in the pursuit of justice, cops often compromise themselves and their morals to catch a criminal. Both Detective Doyle and his partner Detective Buddy Russo (Roy Scheider) rough up black people in the streets, shake down clubs, beat people up, and shoot first without bothering to ask questions. They are both brutal men who take the challenge of finding a criminal as a question of their masculinity. As a result, they spare no expense in ensuring that their pursuit is successful, no mater where it leads them. This is perhaps never clearer than when they strip the car without cause, going purely off of Doyle's hunch that drugs are in the car. Regardless of whether he is right or not, it is unquestionably a morally gray action that shows how willingness to cut corners to get to justice.

The latter, however, is perhaps the most interesting bit. With the cops being the ones in pursuit, they can never rest, out of fear that their target will slip away. The criminals, however, just toy with the cops and go about their daily lives with hardly a care in the world. This is perhaps best portrayed in a single scene of the film. With Doyle and Russo waiting outside in the cold looking through at Charnier and company in a restaurant, Friedkin brilliantly juxtaposes the actions of the cops with those of the criminals. Outside, the cops are freezing, eating cheap food from a stand, and drinking awful coffee that Doyle throws out on the street. Inside, the the criminals eat in a Michelin-rated restaurant with perfectly cooked food and piping hot coffee served at the table. In this juxtaposition, Friedkin shows the difference in the lifestyle of those pursuing justice and those avoiding justice. The cops slave away as the criminals put their feet and relax. Though crime may not pay, it is clear in the film that it is certainly not a bad lifestyle while it lasts.

A thrillingly complex web of constantly moving parts, The French Connection's plot is just as brilliant as its chase sequences. With the film being a dense puzzle waiting to be unlocked, Friedkin's great achievement here is lacing the picture with an overwhelming sense of doubt. With Doyle shown to be a loose cannon who is willing to cut corners, Friedkin establishes him as a bit of an unreliable narrator. Though we do know the Frenchmen are up to no good and orchestrating a deal to bring drugs, Friedkin leaves it up in the air as to whether or not Doyle is actually following the right leads or not. In the aforementioned scene where the cops tear apart the car… Expand
1 of 1 users found this helpful10
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8
Steven1981Mar 24, 2020
The French Connection is a 1971 film directed by The Exorcists "William Friedkin." It's a drama, crime sort of thriller that stars Gene Hackman, Roy Scheider and Fernando Rey... Roy Scheider plays Gene Hackman's partner and both areThe French Connection is a 1971 film directed by The Exorcists "William Friedkin." It's a drama, crime sort of thriller that stars Gene Hackman, Roy Scheider and Fernando Rey... Roy Scheider plays Gene Hackman's partner and both are constantly watching a criminal organisation led by Charnier (Fernando Rey) whether on a street corner or in cars which kind of looks obvious and dumb at times. This film has a few drug scenes and the odd shootout but Popeye Doyle played by Hackman was much better in the sequel but overall The French Connection is not a bad film in any way other than it could of had more action and it could of been more entertaining. Some parts are borderline boring but Hackman gave a decent performance and put hard work into making The French Connection so I give it an 8 rating but the sequel is so much better however this film is still pretty decent... The French Connection (1971) contains bad language, scenes of drugs and drug use, chase scenes, small amount of action and a lower level of force and violence compared to French Connection II but rated 18 certificate due to it's adult themes.… Expand
1 of 3 users found this helpful12
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10
pgmarkDec 17, 2010
Gene Hackman as the dumpy tough cop.. superb!! Must see movie with a gritty feel you can almost imagine being there. So rare to find a Hollywood movie that is actually believable... this one is!!!!!!!
1 of 4 users found this helpful13
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1
KaasbradenOct 22, 2010
I can't understand the reputation this movie has. It has an extremely misleading title, and gives you a very negative impression of the country. It's not my experience of France at all. It was such a lovely place when I spent my honeymoonI can't understand the reputation this movie has. It has an extremely misleading title, and gives you a very negative impression of the country. It's not my experience of France at all. It was such a lovely place when I spent my honeymoon there. I didn't see any drugs the whole time I was there.… Expand
1 of 15 users found this helpful114
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7
JayH.Oct 4, 2009
One of my lesser favorites of the best picture winners for the Academy Awards. For me, it doesn't stand out that much from any other crime thriller.It's above average, but not earth shatteringly exciting. It is superbly edited. I One of my lesser favorites of the best picture winners for the Academy Awards. For me, it doesn't stand out that much from any other crime thriller.It's above average, but not earth shatteringly exciting. It is superbly edited. I have no idea how this beat The Last Picture show.… Expand
0 of 1 users found this helpful
9
TonyB.Aug 14, 2007
I placed "The French Connection" in the #3 spot on my 1971 Best Film's list. It would have been #1 if its much praised car-train chase sequence had been more carefully photographed and edited. Any viewers familiar with the section of I placed "The French Connection" in the #3 spot on my 1971 Best Film's list. It would have been #1 if its much praised car-train chase sequence had been more carefully photographed and edited. Any viewers familiar with the section of Brooklyn in which it was filmed should have been able to spot how sloppily it was put together.… Expand
0 of 1 users found this helpful
10
TheNewSpielbergJun 6, 2011
I watched this movie for the first time today. At first, I hesitated before picking up the DVD because I worried that it would go really slowly and become one of those movies that only gets interesting during the last 35-40 minutes. But I wasI watched this movie for the first time today. At first, I hesitated before picking up the DVD because I worried that it would go really slowly and become one of those movies that only gets interesting during the last 35-40 minutes. But I was wrong. In this movie, I saw the seedier sides of New York, drug dealing and a truckload of amazing acting all rolled into one hell of an entertaining crime movie. It may not be an all out gunfights, car chases and one liner action epic, but If you like your crime on the realistic side, SEE THIS MOVIE.… Expand
0 of 1 users found this helpful01
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10
BurleighGrimesFeb 26, 2012
Frankly, this is one of the truly great American films of all time. Hackman is riveting, and the chase scenes are as good as their reputation. Awesome.
0 of 1 users found this helpful01
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10
kevinswag95Jul 1, 2014
I stated that "The French Connection" is one the best cop films besides "Dirty Harry." It shows that the experience of the true story of the cops who is hurting the streets of Brooklyn. The movie has it chills and suspence with the car chase.
0 of 1 users found this helpful01
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10
hanneguacamoleJun 7, 2015
This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. The French Connection is a thrilling, morally troubling, and important movie on the war on drugs. A complex web of truth and lies, of black and white, I found it hard to discern who or what I was rooting for in the end. These detectives Cloudy and Popeye have dedicated so much time to finding and catching these elusive heroin smugglers – namely Charnier.

I think the most intriguing aspect overall was watching the descent of these detectives (mostly Popeye) from doing their jobs to becoming hopelessly obsessed and entangled in their work and catching these people. I think the chase scene was by far one of the best I have ever seen. It was real, showed a true sign of danger, and was even extreme with the train. It was certainly one of my highlights overall and I can't recall a time where I was so invested in exactly how the chase went down and who got hurt.

Nicoli the hit-man does an exquisite job at showing the true danger and power coming from these mob groups that just want to smuggle their heroin in cars from unsuspecting French people. It's so out there that it's actually believable and leaves me wondering why my life is so mundane compared to this. As for the invisible lines that everyone in this movie crosses – it's fascinating. In what world is shooting and killing someone on your side not worth a second glance? It is here.

The locations of New York and Marseille were completely on point and only helped to enhance the inner workings of the police department, the mobsters, and their constituents. A classic and a staple in the book of chase scenes.… Expand
0 of 1 users found this helpful01
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10
RexG.May 16, 2006
One of my favourites. A thrilling movie with a stunning performance by Gene Hackman. Got to love watching old movies without that disturbing "Hollywood-Music" in every single scene.
0 of 0 users found this helpful
8
tonyGreenOct 6, 2017
A great action / crime movie with an original and cohesive artistic vision. The film has some flaws but is well worth sticking with for the 2nd reel especially. A 'New Hollywood' classic.

The dialogue is *bad* particularly in the first half.A great action / crime movie with an original and cohesive artistic vision. The film has some flaws but is well worth sticking with for the 2nd reel especially. A 'New Hollywood' classic.

The dialogue is *bad* particularly in the first half. But this is a *very* dialogue
light film, and is part of it's essential style. There are some technical flaws too, particularly the use of frame dropping to speed up some the chase shots which gives a jerky unrealistic effect. This appears only in the earlier action scenes.

The pacing of The French Connection is very unusual and works brilliantly. Some sequences are languid and beautiful. Action sequences are chaotic and frenetic and are brilliantly realised into extended action scenes.

The cinematography is georgeous and depicts a cold dirty city that seems on the verge of total collapse.

Most of all its a thrilling ride.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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8
nutterjrMay 24, 2013
It is hard not appreciate how remarkable this film would have been back in 1971. In fact, even today the chase feels very intense and suspenseful and is impeccably edited and brilliantly executed.
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10
edlitz36Apr 1, 2011
The first true New York movie. Gritty, realistic camera work. Plus, Hackman and Scheider are awesome. Everyone says that "A Clockwork Orange" deserved the Oscar, but just because it's Kubrick doesn't make it so. A 4-star classic!
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9
Compi24Nov 28, 2012
Although the ending is a bit of a downer, "The French Connection" still ends up as a richly entertaining detective drama; featuring one of the greatest Gene Hackman performances on film.
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8
MeritCobaMar 1, 2016
For a movie based on real events and purported to have a documentary style it is curious that it contains such flights of fancy as the car chase that made the French Connection iconic. Actually the movie has two chases of note, both equallyFor a movie based on real events and purported to have a documentary style it is curious that it contains such flights of fancy as the car chase that made the French Connection iconic. Actually the movie has two chases of note, both equally nonsensical, one in which Popeye Doyle, played superbly by Gene Hackman, an unconventional narcotics detective, shadows a French drugs dealer, played by Fernando Rey, an Spanish actor who never got the credits he deserves for all laurels go to Hackman and Scheider.

Perhaps it is illustrative that the makers didn't much care for finding a real French actor to play the part of the French villain and chose a Spanish one instead. His French was deemed under par. So they finally had to dub over the voice of Rey by someone who was able to speak proper French. At least you got to give credit for trying to make him speak French, for nowadays French in an American movie is just American English with a funny accent, just like the entire rest of world nowadays speaks American with a funny accent, even the neighbors.

Gene Hackman was probably the best choice for Popeye as he is good at playing the almost thuggish violent impulsive detective who works more with his guts than with his sense. This perhaps explains why he and his pal Russo is said to have been taken of narcotics four years later in the movie. In fact the movie gives the feel that he was mostly good at arresting (and beating up) the street dealers and junkies and this big bust was more the odd one out.

The other chase is the famous car chase which involves Hackman chasing a bumbling assassin who aims for Hackman but hits a woman with a baby instead, keeps on missing because he is badly positioned on a rooftop from which he can only hit his target if he hangs over the side. Hackman ascends the stairs of the building only to find the hitman gone. Hackman looks over the side and then sees a shadowy figure run down the street. Hackman teleports to the street and runs after the man who tries to make his escape via an elevated railway car. Hackman commandeers a private car and races after the railway car through the oncoming traffic of New York, crashing into various other cars, but finally making it in time as the train too crashes, into another train, because the driver got an heart attack and apparently trains in this movie didn't have dead man's switches that makes them stop. The hitman is finally confronted by Hackman who shoots this witness dead, totally messing up any police investigation and making the whole chase pointless.

I will not discuss that other chase, as equally unproductive as the other in which Hackman tries to shadow someone by wearing a hat that makes him stick out so obvious Rey must have been blind not to notice. How stupid can you be?

The movie is gritty and leaves virtual no room for anything but the chases and the police work and it is done with such fervor that it awes. Also laudable is that they tried to make the bay guy at least human and do not give him all the nasty attributes that movies feel villains should have. In fact we get more of an impression of the man than we do of Doyle who we almost never see outside the context of his police work. The movie also ends in an unconventional way. There is no closure. This leaves room for the sequel.. but this doesn't seem intended. This movie also ends with a handful of lines telling us what happened.. which is a weakness in any movie. A movie should show or end. We don't need an epilogue thank you.

All in all, probably an impressive movie at the time and with it's gritty feel and superb acting a must see, but I think it can't really stand story wise on an equal level to movies as Serpico or Fort Apache, the Bronx. The problem is simply that almost no time is spend on character development and to be honest, none of the cops actually endear. They seem often to be the most abusive and thus most abject as their are supposed to serve and protect, not kick and beat up people just because that badge shields them.

Therefore, after long pondering I have decided to revise my scoring mechanism to make an 8 from the 9's I give.
An 8 therefore, but a weak one.… Expand
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6
MovieGuysSep 29, 2013
A bit overrated, this movie drags on and it feels like there is nothing here but men chasing each other through the streets. The only reason I give this movie a 6 is because Gene Hackman plays the character well, and the famous train scene isA bit overrated, this movie drags on and it feels like there is nothing here but men chasing each other through the streets. The only reason I give this movie a 6 is because Gene Hackman plays the character well, and the famous train scene is actually pretty decent.… Expand
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6
EnricoDandoloMar 23, 2014
Everything in "The French Connection" is remarkably well crafted, I'll give credit to that, but there is just nothing in it to hold onto. I would rate this movie a lot higher if it would have had something memorable in it, something thatEverything in "The French Connection" is remarkably well crafted, I'll give credit to that, but there is just nothing in it to hold onto. I would rate this movie a lot higher if it would have had something memorable in it, something that hadn't been already done. Something that would have separated it from all the other action-thrillers.… Expand
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7
BroyaxJan 17, 2017
Jamais vu Gene Hackman courir comme ça, c'était du temps où il avait encore (presque) tous ses cheveux et il se démène le bougre dans son rôle de flic enragé qui ne lâche pas l'affaire quoi qu'il advienne ! Surnommé "Popeye", il ne dortJamais vu Gene Hackman courir comme ça, c'était du temps où il avait encore (presque) tous ses cheveux et il se démène le bougre dans son rôle de flic enragé qui ne lâche pas l'affaire quoi qu'il advienne ! Surnommé "Popeye", il ne dort jamais et reste sur la brèche 24/7 pour coincer les trafiquants de chnouf. Son collègue incarné par l'incontournable "Chef Brody" Roy Scheider, ce serait plutôt un Hush Puppies beaucoup plus serein qui suit le Rottweiler comme son ombre.

La mise en scène de William Friedkin fait preuve d'un beau dynamisme pour l'époque tout en respectant un académisme certain des plans qui confère toujours à l'action une remarquable lisibilité. L'ambiance est délibérément réaliste et légèrement glauque, on regrette du coup les quelques raccourcis dans la trame du scénario qui mettent un peu à mal sa crédibilité.

Dans ce jeu du chat et de la souris qui fait la part belle (un peu trop peut-être ?) aux filatures, le film de Friedkin nous offre néanmoins un magnifique dessert bien avant la conclusion : cette poursuite entre le métro aérien et la bagnole de Monsieur superflic vaut son pesant d'or. Un film étonnant malgré son âge.… Expand
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8
CalumRhysUKApr 3, 2017
There's no denying how influential Friedkin's brilliant cop thriller is, and the stark imagery that accompanies it. I could continue to comment on the positive values on the film, of which there are many, but then it'd leave you asking why IThere's no denying how influential Friedkin's brilliant cop thriller is, and the stark imagery that accompanies it. I could continue to comment on the positive values on the film, of which there are many, but then it'd leave you asking why I didn't give it a 'masterpiece' rating. Well firstly, I saw this film for the first time many years ago, and it was due to a small clip of the famous car chase that made me want to watch it so much, and let's face it, that car chase is utter brilliance, the pace, the action, the thrills throughout, and of course that final image where Doyle finally incapacitates the antagonist on the stairs.

Gene Hackman also couldn't have played Doyle any better than he did here, his role as an at-times sadistic cop with a personal chip on his shoulder, thrust within in a gritty, crime-embroiled New York City. But the problem is, there is little-to-no character development, to the extent that despite our longstanding adventure with Doyle, we don't actually care too much of his outcome, this goes likewise with the villains and for Roy Scheider's character. In a movie that's about good versus evil, it's usually vital to give us a character we can relate to, so we can actually distinguish the difference between the good and the evil, so we can actually root for a character's succession. But it never happens, we are presented with the basics of Doyle and that's it, from there on it's about the job.

But as I've previously mentioned, this film is revolutionary in the crime genre, and in cinema as a whole, and I enjoy the experience every time I watch it, the thrilling chase scenes, the gruff embodiment of hate that is Doyle, to the paranoia-clad villains, Friedkin's achievement can't be diminished.… Expand
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8
amheretojudgeDec 6, 2018
The French Connection "is" connected, speaking effervescently and unapologetically the romance between the characters.

The French Connection Friedkin's cop and con analysis protrudes the thirst that drives it and the hunger that it feedsThe French Connection "is" connected, speaking effervescently and unapologetically the romance between the characters.

The French Connection

Friedkin's cop and con analysis protrudes the thirst that drives it and the hunger that it feeds off. The concept itself suggests the cat and mouse chase but this is not your usual in and out mission. It stays there along with it. No matter how hard and sweat inducing this labour gets. And since it is based on a true story Friedkin's hands are tied but his methods aren't tied to any whatsoever promise. He seeks for an opportunity to stretch its way out through a bang for a more cinematic experience. If there ought to be a simple man to man marking on following a guy, he does it with such panache that you are left with you jaws dropped in the air. He milks out something from these scenes that you have never felt before.

In fact, what he does in here, MacQuarie in Mission Impossible Fallout has managed to do so in the Paris sequence. I have never felt the thrills and exhilaration that a chase scene can offer like such. The feature barely resides upon verbal sparrings it is basically all physical sequences performed lethally and for the most part of it, in one shot, that adds a cherry on top of it. One of the primary strength of the feature, is its uncertainty, the makers keeps us under the shades and reveals it at the point of crisis where before that the storyline is just setting up the antics just like the characters are chasing each other blindly with all the dedication and sweat and blood there is.

Hackman as a frustrated underappreciated protagonist makes sure you feel the need for him to succeed as much as he does and on that note of vulnerability that is projected, it is a complete triumph. The French Connection "is" connected, speaking effervescently and unapologetically the romance between the characters.… Expand
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9
MarvelJoeJun 18, 2019
The intense thriller of this movie makes it look like I'm actually watching a documentary movie.
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9
JeBjBoAug 13, 2023
Maybe I'm crazy but I want to experience 70's New York so badly. It looks stunning! Friedkin's direction is masterful! The cinematography is beautiful!
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10
d88bJan 9, 2023
One of the best police movies ever made. Suspense and edge of your seat carchases. This is a keeper.
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