Rating: 
Summary: Still love that car chase
Review: It's getting a tad frayed around the edges, but "The French Connection" has stood up remarkably well over thirty years, thanks largely to a great cast, a great director (William Friedkin) and a crackerjack plot - not to mention the mother of all car chases. Only Gene Hackman could have played Popeye Doyle, a straight-up jerk whose bull-in-the-china-closet operating method rolls over everything in his way, including his own colleagues. Playing his partner admirably well is Roy Scheider as Buddy Russo, whose patience at Doyle's antics sometimes wears as thin as the soles on his shoes. The two of them are narcs, and they are out to intercept the arrival and distribution of a monster shipment of heroin from Marseilles by a drug kingpin named Alan Charnier. The movie zips along as Doyle and Charnier attempt to outwit each other; one of the best sequences in the film is Doyle following Charnier along the streets of midtown Manhattan into the subway (native New Yorkers have fun identifying the path they take) and losing him on the train. Doyle in his own way is as repulsive as the drug dealers he's up against; he's a racist, selfish, insensitive, uncaring about anybody but himself. But his single-minded mania serves him well in this chase; he'll bring down his prey one way or another. The classic scene in this movie is, of course, the car chase under the elevated subway that practically defined the term "car chase"; it's mind-boggling to try to imagine how Friedkin managed to shoot this sequence. The supporting actors in the movie are excellent; I especially liked Tony LoBianco as the middleman Sal Boca, Arlene Farber as his wife Angie, Benny Marino as his brother Lou (does the family that deals together stay together?), Patrick McDermott as the cool-as-ice chemist testing the purity of Charnier's stock and stamping it with his seal of approval; and above all, the sinister performance given by Marcel Bozzuffi as Pierre Nicoli, Charnier's hitman, who will shoot anyone in cold blood without batting an eyelash. The cinematography has a kind of grainy quality that enhances the gritty story being played out. Even though it seems a bit dated, "The French Connection" still stands out as one of the high points of American film.
Rating: 
Summary: 4.2 out of 5
Review: Adapted from Robin Moore's fact-based novel, THE FRENCH CONNECTION was the breakthrough film for both direction William Friedkin, who later went on to direct THE EXORCIST, and Gene Hackman. Hackman stars in his Academy Award-winning role as "Popeye" Doyle, a New York City cop who, along with partner "Cloudy" Russo (Roy Scheider), stumbles upon a drug ring headed by a Frenchman (Fernando Rey) who uses an innocent-seeming actor (Frederic de Pasquale) to cover the operation. Along with Hackman's forementioned award for "Best Actor", the film also took in Best Director for Friedkin; Best Film Editing; Best Writing (Ernest Tidyman) and a deserved Best Picture. The chase scenes are outstanding and some of the best ever filmed; Hackman is excellent in one of his greatest roles. Action fans won't want to pass this one by; followed by FRENCH CONNECTION II and a floppish TV movie.
Rating: 
Summary: Good but not great
Review: This movie was good, but it wasn't THAT good.
The ending itself is a HUGE left-off-hanging disappointment.
It doesn't really stand out from a lot of other cop movies that received far less attention.
Rating:
Summary: Make The Connection
Review: The French Connection is a gritty, tough and unapologetic film that is based on the true story of two New York City narcotics officers who scored the biggest heroin bust in history. Gene Hackman stars as the rough edged Popeye Doyle. Popeye is not above doing anything in order to make his bust, whether it be coercion or violent force. Teamed with his more leveled-headed partner Cloudy, played by Roy Scheider, they follow a hunch of Popeye's to the record bust. The movie is one of the ultimate cat and mouse thrillers as Popeye and Cloudy stakeout the Frenchmen who are importing the heroin. The famous car chase scene still holds up even thirty years later as one the greatest ever filmed. Mr. Hackman is incredible in the role of Popeye and the over the top blind rage and fury he brings to the character is perfect. Mr. Scheider is also great and his sanguine performance provides a nice contrast to the fiery Mr. Hackman. William Friedkin's grainy filming style perfectly captures the feel of the movie. Mr. Hackman won a well-deserved Oscar for Best Actor, Mr. Friedkin took home the Best Director Oscar and the movie won for Best Picture. After thirty years, The French Connection hasn't lost one bit of its power.
Rating:
Summary: One word: GREAT!
Review: While I do not agree with some of The French Connection's Oscar wins (A Clockwork Orange was the Best Picture of 1971), I still believe that this is one of the best action movies ever made. Gene Hackman deservedly won an Academy Award for his performance as Jimmy "Popeye" Doyle, who along with his partner "Cloudy" Russo (Roy Scheider) attempt to bring down a narcotics ring. The Elevated train-car chase has gone down in cinema history as possibly the best car chase ever filmed. One of the things that make this film so great is its gritty realism. All the sets used are actual interiors and there was hardly any lighting. Director William Friedkin (Who won an Oscar) had a background in documentary. His technique gives a realistic feel to the movie, as if we are there. Recently, when my family decided to purchase a DVD player, the first DVD I got for it was the recently released "Five-Star Collection" Two Disc set of this movie. The picture quality is excellent. Not a single scratch and no 'jittery' frames. There are some scenes that are grainy, especially the opening shots in Marseilles. But this is probably because it was filmed this way. The second disc is loaded with features. There are seven deleted scenes, which can come with or without William Freidkin's commentary. Most of these scenes are character development scenes. But while fascinating to watch them, after you see them you'll understand why they were cut out. There are also two documentaries: BBC's "Poughkeepsie Shuffle" and a special 30th anniversary documentary that covers the French Connection case, Robin Chases's book and the movie's making. Overall, this is an excellent DVD that is well worth investing in.
Rating:
Summary: A Five Star Package
Review: More than 30 years after its release, "The French Connection" has become one of the signpost cop dramas of American cinema. That its portrayal of law enforcement officiers is far less than flattering is hardly the point. The movie is stylish, brilliantly acted, authentically filmed, and features perhaps the most amazing chase sequence in movie history (the biggest reason why it is so amazing is explained in the extras that come with this DVD). Having said all of that, the five-star DVD edition is an absolute must own for those who love the movie. It contains a full disc of extras, including two documentaries, a bunch of deleted scenes, as well as other goodies. If only every great movie was available in a package this complete.
Rating: 
Summary: What was so good about this movie?
Review: This movie was incredibly boring. The whole movie is basically one long chase scene which is never finished. To jlind555: if Popeye Doyle is as you described him, " a racist, selfish, insensitive," person, then why is he such an interesting character? Also you said that these traits helped him in his chase against the criminals. But didn't you see the ending? Doyle never catches the ringleader of the drug traffic. Those harsh characteristics of his obviously didn't help him very much.
After watching this movie, I was extremely surprised to find that it won several academy awards. This movie does have some very well done scenes, but the overall message of the film seems very pointless.
Rating:
Summary: non stop action
Review: If you like a gritty, non-stop action movie, you will love what you see here. Popeye, the psycho cop who cares about nothing except getting his prey, was a defining role for Hackman. The car chase scene ranks as one of the best ever. NYC looks like a filthy mess ( which it was, and still is ), and adds to the effect of the film. Great action movie!!
Rating:
Summary: measure others against this one.
Review: THE FRENCH CONNECTION is hands-down my favorite police movie. Gene Hackman set a standard as Popeye Doyle. This movie is completely satisfying as a thriller. Watch it and compare it to any of the Lethal Weapon movies, for example. The acting in T.F.C. is top-notch, from Hackman as well as Fernando Rey and Roy Scheider. Direction from William Friedkin is super-tight. The movie just rocks-- it's cliche to write this now, but the plot just won't let you go. Friedkin was at the top of his game in the early 1970s, directing this as well as THE EXORCIST. Fans of police thrillers should see THE FRENCH CONNECTION at once-- it's a memorable movie that you'll enjoy, and you'll watch it every few years from then forward. ken32
Rating:
Summary: "Never trust a n$%$er."
Review: William Friedkin is really underrated in terms of direction. This movie, The French Connection, has a great documentary feel to it, and is very realistic. Gene Hackman's performance as Popeye Doyle was one of the best roles I've seen in an action movie. Roy Scheider was awesome too. Favorite line from him: Shove it up your a$$. The movie has the best car chase ever, even if most of it was an accident. Friedkin said that there were supposed to be no crashes in that chase. Just near-misses. I think the crashes help the movie. The French Connection is just a great action movie. I loved it.
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