Rating: 
Summary: Gritty cop series gets the deluxe treatment
Review: The FRENCH CONNECTION is a gritty, realistic crime drama. It follows a pair of police detectives (GENE HACKMAN and ROY SCHEIDER) as they look to bust a French Drug Lord. But, this is no buddy film. The characters (especially Hackman's POPEYE DOYLE) are realistically and (coming out with the end of the Vietnam War) cynically. These guys don't play good cop/bad cop to get things done. They are good cop/bad cop. Ironically, Hackman's bad cop is the main character so we see a lot of sensitive and questionable techniques. Today, I find the storyline extremely tight and focused, even simple compared with todays cop dramas. Becuase of hat, it might not be as 'exciting' as expected. The film includes the classic 'car chase' which is loud, quick, dangerous and intelligent but, again, might not be as 'exciting' as stuff that we have seen since. It's nice to see this BEST PICTURE get the complete DVD treatment even if the commentary is less than stellar and teh deleted scenes are best for one thing - deletion. Otherwise it gets a great DVD transfer. THE FRENCH CONNECTION II is also included in this nice set. A nice sequel, following suit with its questionable ethics and somewhat unlikable lead character (this time he gets strung out on heroin). Much of the film is derivitive of its predecessor but thats okay, not a bad film to reincorporate. Followed by a couple un-official sequels as well, THE SEVEN-UPS and BADGE 373.
Rating:
Summary: Hack Attack
Review: THE FRENCH CONNECTION is a landmark film from 1971. It also helped further establish Gene Hackman as one of the best actors to grace movie screens. The DVD box set collects both the original film and its sequel from 1975. While the original film is also sold separately, the only way one can purchase the second film, is to buy the box set. I am a fan of both movies, therefore, in my opinion, the collector's set is only way to go.Here is how the set breaks down: THE FRENCH CONNECTION-New York City Detective Jimmy "Popeye" Doyle (Hackman), and his partner, Detective Buddy 'Cloudy' Russo (Roy Scheider) are trying to bring down a drug smuggling operation. When the leader of the ring, Alain Charnier (Fernando Rey), tries to have Doyle killed, the partners find themselves in pursuit, far out of their jurisdiction. Directed by William Friedkin, the film still crackles with energy, and its often talked about car chase still works after 30+ years. Since the film is based on a real-life incident, it has a documentary style to it, that gives it an edge. Hackman certainly deserved the Oscar he won for the movie. DISC 1 EXTRAS-feature a well produced audio commentary track with Friedkin, Hackman, and Scheider. It sounded as though each participant was recorded separately, then, edited together later. DISC 2 EXTRAS-two solid documentaries highlight the second disc. "Making The Connection" gives us a well rounded look at the film. The other documentary, entitled "Poughkeepsie Shuffle" was produced by the BBC. It talks about the film and the real life events that inspired the movie. Friedkin "hosts" a look at seven deleted scenes from the film. Some good stuff to be found here too. A still gallery and the original theatrical trailers from both films in the series. THE FRENCH CONNECTION II-has Doyle (Hackman) still hunting for Alain Charnier (Rey) in France. Doyle is captured by his nemesis, forced to become a heroin addict, and left for dead. Forced to kick the habit and come clean, Doyle must join forces with his french counterpart (Bernard Freeson), in order bring Charnier to justice. Directed this time by John Frankenheimer, TFC II, retains much of the same flavor of the original, but falls just short. I think the main problem with 2 is having Doyle become too vulnerable, too fast. Hackman and a great director save a formulaic script, and elevate the picture, to better than it otherwise would be. The audio commentary has Frankenheimer, Hackman, and producer Robert L. Rosen giving some good insight into the sequel. Like the first film's audio commentary, it sounded as though the three men were recorded separately, then edited together later. A production photo galllery, a storyboard gallery, and the theatrical trailers for both films in the series (what again??) top off the extras for the DVD. The set is a must for Hackman fans. Recommended set **** stars
Rating: 
Summary: Nice Features
Review: The image is faded, the sound is off, the lighting is too dark, so why bother with VHS?!
Rating:
Summary: Excellent Box-Set!
Review: This 2 DVD Box Set of The French Connection I and II is very well packaged and has lots of intriguing extras. The films themselves are quickly becoming classics, with Gene Hackman putting in stunning performances- especially in The French Connection II during his rehab sequences. I am most impressed that the film took advntage of the gritty and confusing street layouts of both Poughkeepsie and Marsellaise to add to what is an already filmatically challenging spy/crime story. Very good collection- would recommend to those who like good 'private investigator chasing dangerous drug lords' crime films.
Rating:
Summary: How 2 directors differently handled the same series...
Review: This package includes both The French Connection and its sequel, and movies don't get any better than this. Here, you get to see two great directors handle the character of Popeye Doyle and the cinematic presentation of the film(s) in two completely different ways. Friedkin created more of an off-beat cop thriller that made people think. Instead of the shoot-em-up approach that the second one made, the original takes a more logical step to the action. Some of the action isn't even shooting; it's mainly verbal. Friedkin's setting for the movie is dark, gritty, and perfect for the movie. There are no lush sets; only the cold and pain of the city, which creates an unbeatable realistic tone for the whole film. The movie grabbed 5 oscars, most notably best actor for Gene Hackman. His performance is legendary, testing the difference between cop and crook and how much it takes to cross the line. His partner, acted out by Roy Scheider, is great, too. He plays more of the cautionary cop, holding back Doyle when he's about to explode. The sequel, I thought, is even better. Gene Hackman's performance is stepped up considerably, and Marseille is just as good as a setting as New York was in the original. The set pieces fit in perfectly, creating many memorable scenes. In one scene, Doyle is randomly pooring gasoline all over an urban apartment building, yelling "The exterminator is here!" He soon sets it on fire, killing two of his many enemies. Other great scenes consist of Doyle relentlessly trying to make commuication wih the french and him trying to get hooked off of heroin. The action is this movie is a lot less subtle than the first; director Frankenheimer creates grisly shootouts in shipyards and heroin processing plants, all of which add as much to the film as the chase did in the first. Make no mistake, both of these films are winners. Buy this as watch how two greatly talented directors handled a great character and series. French Connection: 1971; 104 minutes; Rated R for strong language and a few scenes of violence. French Connection 2: 1975; 119 minutes; Rated R for strong language, a few scenes of violence, and drug use.
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