14-10-2016, 11:53
The French Connection(1971)
William Friedkin really utilised new York City as a location in his gritty film based on the reports of real police officers.A high point is the breathtaking car/train chase that rivals,if not betters the one in Bullet,although the car used isn't as iconic as Steve McQueen's Mustang.However what makes the chase even more incredible is that Freidkin shot the scene without proper permits and he kept all the accidental collisions in.
Gene Hackman created a cinematic icon in playing Jimmy "Popeye" Doyle and his performance warranted the Oscar he won for it.Roy Scheider was nominated for best supporting actor but criminally,lost out.The duo ooze charisma and intensity in every scene.Strange,then to think that director Friedkin was initially sceptical about casting Hackman,only relenting after names such as Paul Newman,Steve McQueen,Jackie Gleason,Peter Boyle,Charles Bronson and even New York Times columnist Jimmy Breslin were all ruled out.
Quite simply one of the greatest crime thrillers ever made.
9/10
William Friedkin really utilised new York City as a location in his gritty film based on the reports of real police officers.A high point is the breathtaking car/train chase that rivals,if not betters the one in Bullet,although the car used isn't as iconic as Steve McQueen's Mustang.However what makes the chase even more incredible is that Freidkin shot the scene without proper permits and he kept all the accidental collisions in.
Gene Hackman created a cinematic icon in playing Jimmy "Popeye" Doyle and his performance warranted the Oscar he won for it.Roy Scheider was nominated for best supporting actor but criminally,lost out.The duo ooze charisma and intensity in every scene.Strange,then to think that director Friedkin was initially sceptical about casting Hackman,only relenting after names such as Paul Newman,Steve McQueen,Jackie Gleason,Peter Boyle,Charles Bronson and even New York Times columnist Jimmy Breslin were all ruled out.
Quite simply one of the greatest crime thrillers ever made.
9/10