The French Connection Collection Box Set (1 & 2)

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William Friedkin's classic policier was propelled to box-office glory, and a fistful of Oscars, in 1972 by its pedal-to-the-metal filmmaking and fashionably cynical attitude toward law enforcement. Gene Hackman's Popeye Doyle, a brutally pushy New York City narcotics detective, is a dauntless crime fighter and Vietnam-era "pig," a reckless vulgarian whose antics get innocent people killed. Loosely based upon an actual investigation that led to what was then the biggest heroin seizure in U.S. history, the picture traces the efforts of Doyle and his partner (Roy Scheider) to close the pipeline pumping Middle Eastern smack into the States through the French port of Marseilles. (The actual French Connection cops, Eddie Egan and Sonny Grosso, make cameo appearances.) It was widely recognized at the time that Friedkin had lifted a lot of his high-strung technique from the Costa-Gavras thrillers The Sleeping Car Murders and Z--he even imported one of Costa-Gavras's favorite thugs, Marcel Bozzuffi, to play the Euro-trash hit man plugged by Doyle in an elevated train station. There was an impressive official sequel in 1975, French Connection II, directed by John Frankenheimer, which took Popeye to the south of France and got him hooked on horse. A couple of semiofficial spinoffs followed, The Seven-Ups, which elevated Scheider to the leading role, and Badge 373, with Robert Duvall stepping in as the pugnacious flatfoot. --David Chute

Customer Reviews:

Good boxed set - but 1 is better........2006-07-18

I dont know that I can offer much more to what has already been said, but to me this boxed set is superb.
Another reviewer stated that the picture ,sound and lighting was poor - one assumes that he/she was watching a very worn out VHS copy or his/her equipment was faulty - as both the DVD's in this set are perfect in terms of picture & sound quality.
French Connection 1 was,to me,certainly the better of the two and the gritty realism was excellently portrayed. Lets make no bones about it though - Popeye Doyle was not the most likeable hero - although he did seem to get results.The car chase is legendary, but to me, my favourite scene is when the camera is on Alan Charnier eating in a plush restaurant - and then pans through across the street to Popeye Doyle in a shop doorway, in the cold, eating a burger. A masterful piece of cinematography.
French Connection 2 was okay,and Gene Hackmans' performance,particularly in the rehab sequence,was absolutely brilliant.But the overall scenario was a bit hard to swallow.
First, we are asked to believe that the New York Police have sent Popeye Doyle over to Marseilles to track down a criminal to whom he is known to bear a grudge - on his own - without speaking a word of French - and,knowing that his attitude problems would aggravate the French,in whose country he was in - err, no - that is stretching credulity a bit too far! Because of this, the whole film was downgraded somewhat to pure nonsense.
French Connection 1 was believable. French Connection 2 was not.

The French Connection Collection DVD Box Set.......2006-03-18

I highly recommend this set to anyone who appreciates classic action films. Gene Hackman delivers excellent performances in both films. I believe French Connection II is a wonderful sequel and can only be acquired in DVD format by purchasing this set. The original is already highly acclaimed based on the true story line of the film. Marseille and New York are prominently featured as the primary locations and the camera work is well done. Fast paced and well casted, this is a good way to spend a rainy afternoon.

"Ever Pick Your Feet In Poughkipsie?".......2005-07-30

"The French Connection" set the vanguard for cop dramas. Gritty, intelligent and action packed, it set a standard that only a few films could live up to. Its 1975 sequel wasn't one of them, however, it was good in its own right. Now, we can finally both of these films together in one affordable boxed set put out by the good people at Fox.

"The French Connection" (1971, R) Hard bitten New York cop "Popeye" Doyle (Gene Hackman in an Oscar winning role) and
his partner Buddy Russo (Roy Schneider, aka the sherrif from "Jaws") are a drug ring operating somewhere in the city. It starts off as a routine investigation, but when one of the drug lords tries to kill Doyle, the two cops take it personal, resulting in all out war to crack the French connection and kill drug cartel Alain Charnier (Fernando Rey) that includes one of the greatest car chases ever put on film.

This film is a true masterpiece. Hackman has never been better, and the supporting cast of Schneider and Rey adds extra kick. William Friedkin did his best film with this. The extras are excellent. I really think this is a true classic 5/5

"The French Connection" (1975, R) Four years after the first film, Gene Hackman plays "Popeye" Doyle once more in this sequel. In this one, Doyle has been kidnapped by drug lord, Alain Chartier (Fernanod Rey), who he failed to catch in the last one. Doyle is forced to become a junkie himself, and hits rock bottom. When he is finally released, he vows to stop at nothing to destroy Chartier.

Not as good as the first, this film is still good in its own right. The commentary is interesting, and there aren't really any other great extras. Overall, a 4/5

These two films come highly recommended. The first one is a classic, and the seconde on is above average. These films belong in any dvd collection.

Excellent Box-Set!.......2002-12-10

This 2 DVD Box Set of The French Connection I and II is very well packaged and has lots of intriguing extras. The films themselves are quickly becoming classics, with Gene Hackman putting in stunning performances- especially in The French Connection II during his rehab sequences.

I am most impressed that the film took advntage of the gritty and confusing street layouts of both Poughkeepsie and Marsellaise to add to what is an already filmatically challenging spy/crime story.

Very good collection- would recommend to those who like good 'private investigator chasing dangerous drug lords' crime films.

This Is About The French Connection 2.......2002-05-07

...This one...has a better car chase and a terrible plot. Popeye Doyle becomes a heroin addict, but then has to get rid of his habit and nab drug dealers. Sounds like a goood plot, but weakens through out the whole film. Character devlopment is pretty good, but is counterattacked by the plot. It only costs about $[money], so buy it if you want the sequel also, but don't expect very much.

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