# The French Connection

> 1971 film by William Friedkin

**Wikidata**: [Q220735](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q220735)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_French_Connection_(film))  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/the-french-connection

## Summary
*The French Connection* is a 1971 film directed by William Friedkin, known for its crime thriller and neo-noir elements. It is a buddy cop film featuring Gene Hackman and Roy Scheider as detectives investigating a heroin smuggling ring in New York City. The film was a critical and commercial success, earning multiple Academy Award nominations.

## Key Facts
- A 1971 film directed by William Friedkin.
- Genre: crime film, action film, drama film, thriller film, neo-noir, buddy cop film, mystery film, detective film.
- Starring Gene Hackman and Roy Scheider.
- Written by Ernest Tidyman.
- Released in the United States.
- Distributed by 20th Century Studios.
- Nominated for five Academy Awards, including Best Picture, Best Actor (Gene Hackman), Best Director, Best Film Editing, and Best Adapted Screenplay.
- Included in the National Film Registry for preservation.
- Preceded by *French Connection II* (1975) and succeeded by *French Connection II* (1975).
- Publication dates: October 7, 1971, January 14, 1972, January 26, 1972, and October 9, 1971.

## FAQs
**What genre does *The French Connection* belong to?**
It is classified as a crime film, action film, drama film, thriller film, neo-noir, buddy cop film, mystery film, and detective film.

**Who directed *The French Connection*?**
The film was directed by William Friedkin.

**Who are the main actors in *The French Connection*?**
Gene Hackman and Roy Scheider star in the film.

**What awards did *The French Connection* receive?**
It was nominated for five Academy Awards, including Best Picture, Best Actor, Best Director, Best Film Editing, and Best Adapted Screenplay.

**Is *The French Connection* part of any film preservation programs?**
Yes, it is included in the National Film Registry.

**What is the relationship between *The French Connection* and *French Connection II*?**
*French Connection II* (1975) is both a predecessor and successor to *The French Connection*.

## Why It Matters
*The French Connection* is significant for its influence on crime and thriller filmmaking, particularly in the neo-noir and buddy cop genres. The film's gritty realism and tense detective work set a standard for police procedurals. Its Academy Award nominations and critical acclaim cemented its place in cinematic history. Additionally, its inclusion in the National Film Registry ensures its preservation for future generations.

## Notable For
- One of the first films to blend crime thriller and neo-noir elements.
- Featured a groundbreaking buddy cop dynamic between Gene Hackman and Roy Scheider.
- Earned multiple Academy Award nominations, including Best Picture.
- Included in the National Film Registry for cultural and historical significance.
- Pioneered the use of a realistic, documentary-style approach to crime storytelling.

## Body
### Overview
*The French Connection* is a 1971 crime thriller film directed by William Friedkin. The film follows two New York City detectives, Popeye Doyle (Gene Hackman) and Buddy Russo (Roy Scheider), as they investigate a heroin smuggling ring. The story blends elements of crime, action, drama, thriller, neo-noir, and buddy cop genres.

### Production and Release
The film was written by Ernest Tidyman and produced by Philip D'Antoni. It was released in the United States and distributed by 20th Century Studios. The film had multiple release dates, including October 7, 1971, January 14, 1972, January 26, 1972, and October 9, 1971.

### Awards and Recognition
*The French Connection* received widespread acclaim and was nominated for five Academy Awards:
- Best Picture
- Best Actor (Gene Hackman)
- Best Director (William Friedkin)
- Best Film Editing
- Best Adapted Screenplay

It was also recognized by the National Board of Review as one of the top films of the year.

### Genre and Influence
The film is classified as a neo-noir, crime thriller, and buddy cop film. It is notable for its realistic portrayal of police work and its impact on subsequent crime and thriller films. The dynamic between Hackman and Scheider was groundbreaking for the buddy cop genre.

### Legacy
*The French Connection* is included in the National Film Registry, a list of culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant films preserved by the Library of Congress. The film's influence extends to later crime and thriller films, particularly those featuring police procedurals and neo-noir elements.

### Related Works
The film is connected to *French Connection II* (1975), directed by John Frankenheimer. Both films are part of the same franchise, though *The French Connection* is the original and more critically acclaimed entry.

## References

1. AlloCiné
2. IMDb
3. [Source](http://stopklatka.pl/film/francuski-lacznik)
4. FilmAffinity
5. film distribution certificate
6. Česko-Slovenská filmová databáze
7. Metacritic
8. [Source](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0067116/fullcredits)
9. [Source](https://www.oscars.org/oscars/ceremonies/1972)
10. The Movie Database
11. [Source](https://www.loc.gov/programs/national-film-preservation-board/film-registry/complete-national-film-registry-listing/)
12. The French Connection. Rotten Tomatoes
13. Freebase Data Dumps
14. [IMDb](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0067116/releaseinfo/)
15. [IMDb](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0067116/releaseinfo)
16. BBC Things
17. [IMDb](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0067116/parentalguide)
18. [Source](https://www.spio-fsk.de/asp/filestream.asp?dir=karte&file=0810%5C44288VDVD%2Epdf)
19. [IMDb](https://www.boxofficemojo.com/title/tt0067116/)
20. Kinopoisk
21. [Source](https://www.kijkwijzer.nl/films/french-connection-the/)
22. terjesztesre_kerulo_filmalkotasok_nyilvantartasa.xlsx
23. [Source](https://www.cnc.fr/professionnels/visas-et-classification/39222)
24. List of film licenses issued from 1945 to 2020
25. [Source](https://www.eirin.jp/list/index.php?s_year=2010&s_month=12&e_year=2010&e_month=12&pageID=2)
26. Cineplex
27. Online-Filmdatenbank
28. [Source](http://cnc.abt.ro/registru/index.aspx?pageID=3&filmID=13752)
29. Bechdel Test Movie List
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31. [Source](https://ui.eidr.org/view/content?id=10.5240/EF11-9B27-BF3A-4A47-172C-O)
32. Danish Film Database
33. TheTVDB
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35. FilmVandaag.nl