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The French Connection (1971)

R  104 min  -  Action | Crime | Thriller   -  9 October 1971 (USA)
7.9
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Ratings: 7.9/10 from 42,091 users   Metascore: 96/100 
Reviews: 242 user | 88 critic | 4 from Metacritic.com

A pair of NYC cops in the Narcotics Bureau stumble onto a drug smuggling job with a French connection.

Director:

William Friedkin

Writers:

Ernest Tidyman (screenplay), Robin Moore (book), and 2 more credits »
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Won 5 Oscars. Another 15 wins & 8 nominations See more awards »

Related Videos

The French Connection -- A pair of NYC cops in the Narcotics Bureau stumble onto a drug smuggling job with a French connection. The French Connection -- Detectives Doyle and Russo shakedown a bar where they have an informant. The French Connection -- Interview: Gene Hackman "on filming the car scene"
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Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Gene Hackman ...
Fernando Rey ...
Roy Scheider ...
Tony Lo Bianco ...
Marcel Bozzuffi Marcel Bozzuffi ...
Pierre Nicoli
Frédéric de Pasquale Frédéric de Pasquale ...
Devereaux (as Frederic De Pasquale)
Bill Hickman Bill Hickman ...
Mulderig
Ann Rebbot Ann Rebbot ...
Marie Charnier
Harold Gary Harold Gary ...
Weinstock
Arlene Farber Arlene Farber ...
Angie Boca
Eddie Egan Eddie Egan ...
Simonson
André Ernotte André Ernotte ...
La Valle (as Andre Ernotte)
Sonny Grosso Sonny Grosso ...
Klein
Benny Marino Benny Marino ...
Lou Boca
Patrick McDermott Patrick McDermott ...
Chemist (as Pat McDermott)
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Storyline

William Friedkin's gritty police drama portrays two tough New York City cops trying to intercept a huge heroin shipment coming from France. An interesting contrast is established between 'Popeye' Doyle, a short-tempered alcoholic bigot who is nevertheless a hard-working and dedicated police officer, and his nemesis Alain Charnier, a suave and urbane gentleman who is nevertheless a criminal and one of the largest drug suppliers of pure heroin to North America. During the surveillance and eventual bust, Friedkin provides one of the most gripping and memorable car chase sequences ever filmed. Written by Tad Dibbern <DIBBERN_D@a1.mscf.upenn.edu>  

Plot Summary | Plot Synopsis

Plot Keywords:

Police | Heroin | Drugs | French | Chase  | See more »

Taglines:

The time is just right for an out and out thriller like this. See more »

Genres:

Action | Crime | Thriller

Parents Guide:

View content advisory »
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Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English | French

Release Date:

(USA) See more »

Also Known As:

Contacto en Francia See more »

Box Office

Budget:

$1,800,000 (estimated)

Gross:

$51,700,000 (USA) (1973)
See more »

Company Credits

Show detailed company contact information on IMDbPro »

Technical Specs

Runtime:

Sound Mix:

Mono (Westrex Recording System) | 4-Track Stereo (Westrex Recording System)

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1
See full technical specs »
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Did You Know?

Trivia

Even though there isn't a note of music during the spectacular car chase, William Friedkin cut that sequence to the tempo of Carlos Santana's "Black Magic Woman" See more »

Goofs

Continuity: Doyle's hat comes and goes while tearing apart the car. See more »

Quotes

[first lines]
Jimmy 'Popeye' Doyle: Merry Christmas. What's your name, little boy?
Little Boy: Eric.
Jimmy 'Popeye' Doyle: Uh-huh, Eric. What do you want for Christmas Eric? Hmmm?
See more »

Connections

Spoofed in Stuck on You! (1982) See more »

Soundtracks

"Jingle Bells"
(uncredited)
Written by James Pierpont
Sung by Santa and the kids See more »