French Connection II (1975)

The sequel to the brilliant French Connection, the story continues a few years later as Popeye Doyle (Gene Hackman) continues his hunt for the drug baron Charnier (Fernando Rey). However, now Doyle has arrived in Marseilles where he is to work with (more or less) Inspector Henri Barthélémy (Bernard Fresson). Unbeknownst to Doyle he is really in France to act as bait to bring Charnier out into the open.

Doyle's relationship with the French police is rather fraught and he ends up a prisoner of Charnier. Kept in a dingy hotel for several weeks he is hooked on heroine. Finally, when back in police hands Doyle has to get over his addiction the hard way. This then sets the scene for a thrilling final fight and chase with Charnier.

A very good film, maybe not quite as good as the original though not far behind. The pacing seems a bit uneven and Doyle's lack of a sidekick (apart from Henri at times) means the film lacks some of the interplay of the first. The grime and squalor of New York is swapped for that of Marseilles. Different country but same old world of addiction and vice.