Customer Reviews

The French Connection Collection Box Set (1 & 2)

5 star:		(14)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This package includes both The French Connection and its sequel, and movies don't get any better than this. Here, you get to see two great directors handle the character of Popeye Doyle and the cinematic presentation of the film(s) in two completely different ways.

Friedkin created more of an off-beat cop thriller that made people think. Instead of the shoot-em-up approach that the second one made, the original takes a more logical step to the action. Some of the action isn't even shooting; it's mainly verbal. Friedkin's setting for the movie is dark, gritty, and perfect for the movie. There are no lush sets; only the cold and pain of the city, which creates an unbeatable realistic tone for the whole film. The movie grabbed 5 oscars, most notably best actor for Gene Hackman. His performance is legendary, testing the difference between cop and crook and how much it takes to cross the line. His partner, acted out by Roy Scheider, is great, too. He plays more of the cautionary cop, holding back Doyle when he's about to explode.

The sequel, I thought, is even better. Gene Hackman's performance is stepped up considerably, and Marseille is just as good as a setting as New York was in the original. The set pieces fit in perfectly, creating many memorable scenes. In one scene, Doyle is randomly pooring gasoline all over an urban apartment building, yelling "The exterminator is here!" He soon sets it on fire, killing two of his many enemies. Other great scenes consist of Doyle relentlessly trying to make commuication wih the french and him trying to get hooked off of heroin. The action is this movie is a lot less subtle than the first; director Frankenheimer creates grisly shootouts in shipyards and heroin processing plants, all of which add as much to the film as the chase did in the first.

Make no mistake, both of these films are winners. Buy this as watch how two greatly talented directors handled a great character and series.

French Connection: 1971; 104 minutes; Rated R for strong language and a few scenes of violence.

French Connection 2: 1975; 119 minutes; Rated R for strong language, a few scenes of violence, and drug use.

Billy Friedkin's film is the most influential crime thriller since film noir. Look at the cop shows on TV today. Bocchco and Wolf would be lost without this as a model. It set the tone for Hollywood in the 70's and stands up today with it's great acting, terrific dialogue, and charcter driven action. On a personal level I saw this movie at the ripe age of 9 at a drive-in with my parents. This film was the movie that made me fall in love with movies. For that I am forever grateful to Friedkin, D'Antoini, Hackman and Company.
The bonuses on this DVD package are terrific. Mark Kermode's BBC documentary is as good as the one he did on "The Exorcist" and Friedkin's commentary on the film itself is informative and entertaining. The lost scenes are interesting if you're a fan of the film and a fan of Friedkin the director.It is instructive to watch an extended scene, such as the one in the hotel lobby, that lasts 2 or 3 minutes on film in the outtake last only a few seconds in the finished film, yet all the information that is communicated in the longer scene is in the finished product without stopping the pacing and it allows the audience to fill in the blanks. Even while being pushed along on a viseral high the audience is using their heads. I always felt this was Friedkin's strentgh as a filmmaker, telling a lot of information visually and quickly, even if the audience doesn't catch on at first.
This package also contains John Frankenheimers underrated sequel that isn't based on fact put is purely a fictional account of Popeye Doyle in France. Frankenheimers commentary is also worth listening to as he speaks of his admiration for the first film and desire to stay loyal to the style Friedkin developed(what urban crime film of the 70s didn't?). It also contains Hackman extending his performance of Doyle brillantly and it finds a way to end the film in a way that rivals the ambiguous descent into madness that ended "The FRENCH CONNETION" only it goes in the opposite direction, shocking, startling and definite.
A great package, one masterpiece and one four-star underrated gem. And at a great price

The French Connection has never seemed to generate as much buzz as other Best Picture Winners, and is likely to be overlooked yet again in its DVD release, coming so close to the Godfather Trilogy and Citizen Kane. The exception is the chase, of course, long celebrated as perhaps the best ever captured on film. In addition to the action elements, however, there are other reasons to add this to your collection, including Gene Hackman's fine, Oscar-winning turn as Popeye Doyle and William Friedkin's energetic direction. French Connection II suffers somewhat by comparison - Hackman is still great, but the movie seems to lack cohesion, as if the writers patched the story together scene by scene, rather than knowing their destination. It is not a bad movie by any means, but certainly not the classic its predecessor is. The bonus materials are nicely presented and pretty interesting, for the most part - a solid, if not particularly spectacular, package.

"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.

The first time I saw "The French Connection" was on cable several years ago (as well as its sequel, available only in this box set), and despite being edited for television, it was an incredible ride. It's a movie that would be next to impossible to make today. You have a bigoted, brash police detective (Gene Hackman) as your lead, little to no explanation why he's the way he is, and an ending that is by no means a happy one. As much as that may be a turn-off to some, it's the obsessive nature of our main character that fuels this movie. It goes to such a high pitch that even an accidental shooting doesn't give him less than a moment's pause while pursuing his nemesis, heroin kingpin Charnier (Fernando Rey). This obsession fuels also the sequel, "French Connection 2" (a rather underrated flick, in my opinion), which takes place in France. Despite being a tad too long, the sequel manages to be quite impressive, culminating in a final chase which ends the film on a note that's almost as striking as its predecessor. Both movies have audio commentaries from their directors (William Friedkin on 1, and John Frankenheimer on 2), deletd scenes (on 1 only) and "French Connection" fans will get their fill with the two documentaries on the first film and the true story that inspired these two rather solid action films. While "classic" can't be really said about the sequel, "The French Connection" is a brillant, classic thriller that isn't afraid to leave it's viewers hanging.

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.

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.

This box set includes The French Connection I & II. The original is of course the most well known of the two. The movie is based off the true events of the biggest heroin bust in history.
The story follows two of NYPD's narcotics detectives as they stumble onto a hunch which turns into a huge multi-jurisdictional case. Detective Doyle who is played by Gene Hackman, was one of the NYPD's most decorated officers when he retired. The two detectives build their case and eventually narrow their search of suspects before finally getting the approval of the upper brass to make an arrest. This is a great crime drama which follows the original novel and the true story really well.
Part II of the set picks up where part I ends. What most people don't know is that part II did not actually happen. Part II is complete fiction while part I is a true story. Great film!

At long last a release on DVD for probably the greatest acting performance I have ever seen. Gene Hackman's heroin withdrawal scenes are the peak of his (or any other actors) career. The French Connection II, far superior in every regard to it's rather pedestrian predecessor, is the real gem in this set. The closest hollywood ever got to high film art. Watch and be blown away.

Heeeey Willie maaaays!!

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.