The French Connection, released in 1971, is a gritty police drama set in New York City. The film was well-received, earning five Academy Awards including Best Picture and Best Actor for Gene Hackman. The movie centers around narcotics detectives as they pursue a French drug kingpin, played by Fernando Rey.
The film was groundbreaking for its portrayal of an unconventional hero in Popeye Doyle, portrayed by Gene Hackman. It featured a thrilling car chase that set the stage for many action sequences to come. The movie’s realism and downbeat ending were a departure from the gloss and heroics of most police dramas.
The French Connection is based on a true story, and the real-life counterparts of the detectives, Eddie Egan and Sonny Grosso, have small roles in the film. With its innovative storytelling and intense action sequences, The French Connection remains a classic in the genre.
