The French Connection

The French Connection is a 1971 film which tells the story of two New York City policemen who are trying to intercept a heroin shipment coming in from France. It stars Gene Hackman, Fernando Rey[?], Roy Scheider, Tony Lo Bianco[?] and Eddie Egan[?] (the real-life policeman on whom Hackman's character was based.)

It was adapted by Ernest Tidyman[?] from the novel by Robin Moore[?]. It was directed by William Friedkin[?].

It won Academy Awards for Best Actor in a Leading Role, (Gene Hackman), Best Director, Best Film Editing, Best Picture and Best Writing, Screenplay Based on Material from Another Medium. It was nominated for Best Actor in a Supporting Role (Roy Scheider), Best Cinematography and Best Sound.

The French Connection is the first R-rated movie to win Best Picture. Midnight Cowboy had won in 1969, but it was X-rated at the time.

The movie was followed in 1975 by a sequel, The French Connection 2[?]. In 1986, a television movie, Popeye Doyle[?], appeared.