With its gripping storyline, realistic portrayal of crime and law enforcement, and unforgettable car chase scene, it's no wonder the film The French Connection left an indelible mark on cinema. The 1971 movie is considered a true classic, and its legacy continues to grow decades after its release. But what is less well-known is the fact that The French Connection was based on true events.
The movie was written by Ernest Tidyman and adapted from Robin Moore's 1969 book of the same name, which documented a real-life heroin trafficking case. It tells the story of New York City detectives Jimmy "Popeye" Doyle and Buddy "Cloudy" Russo in pursuit of The french connection left over heroin smuggler Alain Charnier (played by Fernando Rey). The movie was praised for its lean and tightly-plotted script, as well as its attention to detail in depicting police work. Its most iconic sequence is the famous one in which Doyle frantically commandeers a car to pursue Charnier and his henchmen as they run beneath an elevated train track. The movie won five Oscars, including Best Actor for Hackman and Best Picture for Friedkin.
It was a huge success at the time, but it also marked a turning point for the genre of crime thrillers. Before it, the genre was characterized by clear-cut resolutions—the bad guys are caught and punished or killed, with little room for interpretation or nuance. Friedkin's film refused to give audiences or his characters that kind of easy answer, presenting an ending that still invites debate to this day.
As for the actual drug bust at the heart of the film, it took place over several months and never involved a high-speed chase or shootout. But the film's fictional detectives were modeled after real NYPD officers, and Friedkin's directing style aimed for gritty realism—a style that would later influence modern cop dramas.
Despite the film's success, the production wasn't without its challenges. The project was turned down by almost every studio, but Friedkin finally signed on at Fox for producer Philip D'Antoni, who remembered seeing the book in 1968 and was fascinated by its account of a real-life police operation. He was determined to make the kind of slick thriller that dominated the market at the time, but he wanted to hire a director who could bring a more personal touch to the material.
As the production began, Friedkin walked the streets of New York City, spitballing ideas with D'Antoni about what to include in the movie's most iconic chase scene. He demanded that it be better than the legendary chase in his previous film, Bullitt, and they settled on having Doyle pursue a train as it emerged from a subway tunnel underneath an elevated train track. The scene is arguably one of the most thrilling in the history of movies, and it came together as a result of the collaboration between Friedkin and his actors.
In addition to the thrill of capturing this scene on film, the cast and crew enjoyed working with each other. The actors all felt that their characters were portrayed fairly accurately, and they worked hard to keep the energy on set high. The movie's cast was able to create an atmosphere of trust and respect that helped them achieve the most authentic results possible.
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