That said, it's still impossible not to become engrossed into the dirty, twisting narrative as the film still outshines later copycat works. Hackman sparkles in the lead role as Popeye Doyle, and William Friedkin's direction flows from portraying a grimy drug-feuled underworld, through kinetic pursuits and car-chases to a hammerering finale. One of the greatest films of the '70s, and one of the best cop films ever. Unforgettable.

This awesome special edition set features a director/cast commentary, multiple documentaries (like the excellent Poughkeepsie Shuffle) and deleted scenes with commentaries. One to own, I think.


Popeye Doyle - a man for all reasons   March 18, 2004
 4 out of 5 found this review helpful

Gritty, realistic tough-cop dramas are ten a penny, but movies with craft, guile and skill are a rarity. This one is still state of the art 33 years on. Film-makers: watch and learn.

There's so much about the French Connection that works brilliantly, mostly down to Friedkin's subtly downbeat direction and Gene Hackman's extraordinarily raw, vivid and flawed character, Popeye Doyle - the model for a million cops and an actor that deserved his Oscar like few others. Doyle is ferociously passionate about his job, doesn't care who he upsets, and is tenacious to the point of obsession.

For all the clever nuances to build suspense through ever scene, FC1 will mostly be remembered for the unsurpassed and extended chase scene, a combination of foot, train and car to which words can scarcely to justice. Lovely wit too, as Fernando Rey's charming drugs overlord gives Doyle the slip in a game of chicken with subway trains (will he/won't he stay on the train?)

Great stuff and a film that stands repeated watching.


Good contents, poor presentation   February 14, 2002
 3 out of 6 found this review helpful

William Freidken is a master director who always brings documentary realism (in a non-gimmicky way) to whatever his subject and here it works extroadinarily well, its a superbly fast paced and truthful feeling tale of new york narcotics operation, the editing is done so tight and quick that what other directors would allow to become tedious never becomes so... Roy Schneiders understated performance somehow still manages to steal the show for me, and Hackman never played a role as good as Doyle again. but unfortunately the fim is in serious need of remastering as the print used here looks execptionally bad (hence the low budget price) and the pan and scan is painfully bad in places losing parts of subtitles off the screen! This is all in all one of the classics of cinema and desrerves to be seen in a better form than this version..


This film makes you feel as if you were really there.   December 26, 2001
 3 out of 5 found this review helpful

The French Connection is gritty and hardboiled. It has aged well and shows us that Hackman is one of the all time best actors. The soundtrack is also superb. If you watch this film, you must watch The French Connection II (just as good).


One of the greatest films of all time!!   November 15, 2000
 2 out of 3 found this review helpful

The first time I watched this film I totally loved the intencity of it. Hackman was at his brilliant best and the car chase scene for a film of nearly 30 years ago is still the best ive ever seen. This film is a must see!