The French Connection

The French Connection was directed by William Friedkin and released in 1971. Friedkin went on to direct The Exorcist in 1973, and together these two films established him as one of the defining directors of the New Hollywood era of the 1970s.

Yes, The French Connection won five Oscars at the 44th Academy Awards in 1972, including Best Picture, Best Director for Friedkin, Best Actor for Gene Hackman, Best Adapted Screenplay, and Best Film Editing. It was nominated for eight total awards, making it one of the most acclaimed films of its year.

The chase sequence, in which Gene Hackman's Detective Popeye Doyle pursues a hitman on an elevated subway train, was filmed largely without permits on real Brooklyn streets with unscripted civilian traffic. Friedkin operated a camera from the back seat while stunt driver Bill Hickman navigated at high speeds, resulting in several genuine near-collisions that give the scene its raw intensity.

The film was based on Robin Moore's 1969 nonfiction book about the real 'French Connection' heroin smuggling operation. The characters of Popeye Doyle and Buddy Russo were based on actual NYPD detectives Eddie Egan and Sonny Grosso, who both served as technical advisors and had small acting roles in the film.