The French Connection

About this Broadcast

Two tough New York cops use unorthodox methods to try to break an international drug ring. When their information leads them to place a candy store under surveillance, they discover the owners are the American agents for a French kingpin planning to ship millions of dollars worth of heroin into the US. Oscar-winning fact-based thriller, starring Gene Hackman, Roy Scheider, Fernando Rey and Tony Lo Bianco

1971 subtitles 16x9 audio-description

Detective/Thriller Factual Movie/Drama Police/Crime Drama

Cast & Crew

Gene Hackman (Actor) .. Det Jimmy `Popeye" Doyle

Fernando Rey (Actor) .. Alain Charnier

Roy Scheider (Actor) .. Det Buddy `Cloudy" Russo

Tony Lo Bianco (Actor) .. Salvatore `Sal" Boca

Marcel Bozzuffi (Actor) .. Pierre Nicoli

Frederic De Pasquale (Actor) .. Devereaux

Bill Hickman (Actor) .. Mulderig

Ann Rebbot (Actor) .. Marie Charnier

Harold Gary (Actor) .. Joel Weinstock

Arlene Farber (Actor) .. Angie Boca

William Friedkin (Director)

More Information

Did You Know..

Gene Hackman (Actor) .. Det Jimmy `Popeye" Doyle

Born: January 30, 1930 in California

Best Known For: The French Connection, The Mexican, Enemy of the State... too many to mention.

Early-life: Born Eugene Allen Hackman on January 30, 1930, in San Bernardino, California, after which his family moved around frequently before finally settling in Danville, Illinois. He has a brother called Richard. After his parents divorced, Hackman left home aged 16 to join the US Marine Corps where he served as a field radio operator. His mother died in 1962, as a result of a house fire she accidently started while smoking.

Career: After making the decision to get into acting in 1956, Hackman joined the Pasadena Playhouse in California (where incidentally, he struck up a friendship with Dustin Hoffman). After performances in several off-Broadway plays, Hackman's first movie was Lilith alongside Warren Beatty, who then cast him in his breakthrough film, Bonnie and Clyde. Hackman was soon in demand, showcasing his talents in everything from comedy (in Young Frankenstein) to villainy (as Lex Luthor in Superman). He's also won two Oscars - Best Actor for The French Connection, and Best Supporting Actor for Unforgiven. He retired from acting in 2004 to concentrate on writing novels.

Quote: 'It really costs me a lot emotionally to watch myself on-screen. I think of myself, and feel like I'm quite young, and then I look at this old man with the baggy chins and the tired eyes and the receding hairline and all that.'

Trivia: Hackman has written a number of historical novels with undersea archaeologist Daniel Lenihan.