The French Connection (1971)

Two Geeks and a GIT Classic Movie Reviews

This pairing focuses on renowned Hollywood director William Friedkin who passed away in August of 2023. Best known as the director of "The Exorcist," he directed over 40 projects in his life, including the two films discussed here. First up, in 1971, with only two projects to his credit, he was given the task of leading the cinematic adaptation of the book of the same name: "The French Connection." Starring Gene Hackman as narcotics detective Jimmy "Popeye" Doyle and Roy Scheider as his partner Buddy "Cloudy" Russo, the film relates the detectives stumbling on a massive heroin deal coming to the United States from France. Heroin dealer Alain Charnier (Fernando Ray) is attempting to smuggle a huge amount of the drug into New York, and it's only through the determination and sheer stubborness of Doyle and Russo that the shipment is discovered. The duo attempts to seize the drugs and arrest the smugglers, but run into several issues in the process. Also starring Tony Lo Bianco, Marcel Bozzuffi, Bill Hickman, and Ann Rebbot. The film also features one of the most notorious chase scenes in cinematic history!