The French Connection
1971 American film by William Friedkin · Released October 7, 1971
The French Connection is a 1971 American neo-noir action thriller film directed by William Friedkin and starring Gene Hackman, Roy Scheider, and Fernando Rey. The screenplay, by Ernest Tidyman, is based on Robin Moore's 1969 book of the same name about narcotics detectives Eddie Egan and Sonny Grosso. It tells the story of their fictional counterparts, New York Police Department detectives Jimmy "Popeye" Doyle and Buddy "Cloudy" Russo, in pursuit of wealthy French heroin smuggler Alain Charnier (played by Rey). At the 44th Academy Awards in April 1972, the film earned eight nominations and won five, for Best Picture, Best Actor (Hackman), Best Director, Best Film Editing, and Best Adapted Screenplay.
Cast ages at release (October 7, 1971)
- Gene Hackman, as Jimmy "Popeye" Doyle: 41
- Fernando Rey, as Alain Charnier: 54
- Roy Scheider, as Buddy Russo: 38
- Tony Lo Bianco, as Sal Boca: 34
- Marcel Bozzuffi, as Pierre Nicoli: 41
- Frédéric de Pasquale, as Devereaux: 40
- Bill Hickman, as Mulderig: 50
- André Ernotte, as La Valle: 28
- Eddie Egan, as Simonson: 41
- Sonny Grosso, as Klein: 41
- Randy Jurgensen, as Police Sergeant: 37
- Alan Weeks, as Pusher: 23