William Friedkin in Focus: The French Connection

With roots in documentary, Friedkin easily translated his political anger across to fiction film, blending a verite style with heightened action sequences. Across three films we see how his use of action and stuntwork complements his pessimistic worldview and emboldens his status as Hollywood’s agitator/rebel.

The French Connection

This classic of 1970s cinema follows Popeye Doyle, played by the icon who embodied that decade's rough and ready style and demeanour the most, Gene Hackman. After stumbling upon a large heroin-smuggling operation, Doyle begins pursuing a French dealer with little care for safety or rules. Despite setting the template for the typical Hollywood ‘bad cop’, Friedkin doesn’t shy away from the blatant racism and abuse of power of the police. His characterization is jagged and unpleasant, something which later iterations would lack.

The French Connection features Friedkin’s most notorious stuntwork, particularly in the film’s climactic car chase - shot without permits and without blocking off streets. Having directed a couple of features prior to this, Friedkin returned to his documentary roots and employed a handheld shooting style which accentuated the frantically chaotic chase. As Doyle becomes more desperate, and his actions more haywire, Friedkin makes the viewer complicit in feeling the same thrill and excitement he does.

Supported by Film Hub NI, awarding funds from the National Lottery through the BFI Film Audience Network.

Part of Belfast Film Festival>>