Friday, November 26, 2021

The French Connection (1971)

A superb, gritty crime drama. Charnier (Fernando Rey) is running a heroin smuggling operation out of Marseille. In New York, hard-nosed narcotics cops Doyle (Gene Hackman) and Russo (Roy Scheider) after a string of minor arrests, finally get wind of a big drugs drop about to arrive in the city. 

While the cops tail Boca (Tony Lo Bianco), Boca is receiving Charnier in the US and trying to make a deal for a huge amount of heroin which has been smuggled in the US in a car.

However, the police and FBI tailing of Boca and Charnier does not go unnoticed and a hit is ordered on Doyle. This results in a thrilling chase along the NY Subway. Meanwhile the car is discovered and the drugs found after a lengthy search. The cops then set up Boca and Charnier who are finally ready to make their deal...

A really great film with a highly realistic feel. The film is dark and violent, humanity (and lack of it) and all the frailties are on show on both sides. The epic car chase is one of the best in movie history.