The French Connection
Written by: Ernest Tidyman, based on the novel by: Robin Moore
Directed by: William Friedken
Starring: Gene Hackman, Roy Scheider, and Fernando Rey
The legendary crime classic The French Connection is now available on BluRay for the first time in a robust two disc set.
Based on the incredible true story of two New York City police detectives, Jimmy "Popeye" Doyle (Gene Hackman) and Buddy Russo (Roy Scheider), trying to hunt down a major heroin smuggling ring.
The film won five 1971 Academy Awards: Best Picture, Directing, Actor, Adapted Screenplay, and Film Editing and it is easy to see why.
The film is a gritty, action filled thrill ride that only betrays its age because of the clothes the characters wear.
The transfer is extremely grainy at times but from what I understand it fits the director's vision. To be honest the grain makes the film seem even more real. The sound is great, fully utilizing the DTS HD Master Audio.
The acting is top notch. As usual, Gene Hackman is phenomenal and every time I watch Roy Scheider I always wonder why I dont seek out his movies more often. He is great here.
The shocking thing here is how well this film stands up. It could easily be made today and turn out the same. It's a remarkable film.
The BluRay release is jam packed with features, including some previously released on DVD. The special features include commentary from Gene Hackman and Roy Scheider, Director William Friedkin, Trivia Track, Isolated Score Track, Enhanced for D-Box Motion Controls, Deleted Scenes, Featurettes: Anatomy of a Chase, Hackman on Doyle, Friedkin and Grosso remember the real French Connection, Scene of the Crime, Color Timing The French Connection, Cop Jazz: The Music of Don Ellis, Rogue Cop: The Noir Connection, a BBC Documentary The Poughkeepsie Shuffle, and Making The Connection: The Untold Stories of The French Connection.
It is a great set for film lovers and lovers of The French Connection. With this BluRay, we get a comprehensive collection of features for a movie wildly considered to be one of the best ever made. While the picture isn't perfect at times, the grain only adds to the atmosphere expertly crafted by the filmmakers.
The French Connection is a must own on bluray.
French Connection II
Written by: Alexander Jacobs and Robert Dillon
Directed by: John Frankenheimer
Starring: Gene Hackman, Fernando Rey, Bernard Fresson, and Cathleen Nesbitt
Gene Hackman returns as "Popeye" Doyle" in French Connection II this time moving the action to France in order to track down the ever elusive French Connection. This time, Doyle finds himself captured by a heroin kingpin and forced to become a junkie himself.
French Connection II is a worthy follow-up to the brilliant original. It's just as gritty, even a little darker as we witness Doyle injected with the very narcotics he's tracked across the ocean.
Everything seems a bit ratcheted up here. The action, the chase, the drama. While it is worthy of the original, it certainly doesn't surpass it. Gene Hackman is again amazing but I did miss Roy Scheider. It would have been nice to see him return for this one.
This disc isn't nearly as feature intensive as the original. Again we have the D-Box motion capabilities, commentary from John Frankenheimer, commentary from Gene Hackman and producer Robert Rosen, Still Galleries, A Conversation with Gene Hackman, and Frankenheimer: In Focus and Isolated Score Track.
A little light, compared to the other disc but where it falls short in features, it makes up in picture and sound. There isn't a grain to be seen in this film. It's a pristine picture that makes the first look like super 8.
Together, The French Connection and French Connection II are must see examples of cop drama/thrillers at their best. Gorgeously shot, expertly scored, and wonderfully acted. While the original is served best in terms of features, its sequel looks best on the format.
Both, however, are definitely welcome in any BluRay collection.
The French Connection and French Connection II are available now from 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment.
0 PC Beasts Commented:
Post a Comment