“The French Connection,” released in 1971 and directed by William Friedkin, is a classic American crime thriller based on true events. The film stars Gene Hackman as Detective Jimmy “Popeye” Doyle and Roy Scheider as his partner, Detective Buddy “Cloudy” Russo, both members of the NYPD Narcotics Bureau.

Set in New York City, the film follows Doyle and Russo as they investigate a massive heroin smuggling operation masterminded by a French drug kingpin named Alain Charnier, portrayed by Fernando Rey.

The detectives employ unorthodox methods and intense surveillance to track down and apprehend the criminals, leading to a thrilling cat-and-mouse chase through the gritty streets of New York.

“The French Connection” is renowned for its gritty realism, dynamic car chases, and Hackman’s iconic portrayal of the relentless and morally ambiguous Detective Doyle. The film won five Academy Awards, including Best Picture, Best Director for Friedkin, Best Actor for Hackman, Best Adapted Screenplay, and Best Film Editing. It is celebrated as a landmark in the crime thriller genre and remains a classic in American cinema history.