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, French Connection II. In 1986, a television movie, Popeye Doyle, appeared.