William Friedkin
Il Braccio Violento Della Legge

“The French Connection”, followed four years later by “The French Connection II”, was based on the investigative book of the same name by Robert Lowell Moore Jr. from '69. It shows all the years that have passed since that distant 1971. I don't believe it would win any Oscars today, despite the dynamic direction by William David Friedkin, best known for filming “The Exorcist” two years later. However, at the time, it won as many as 5 major awards, plus 3 nominations and 3 Golden Globes, and a David di Donatello along with many other well-deserved awards for those times.

The skill of Eugene Allen Hackman, known as Gene (who left us this past February 17 at ninety-five years old), is undisputable. He even overshadows other equally excellent actors Roy Richard Scheider and Fernando Casado Arambillet, alias Fernando Rey, who was cast by mistake due to a name mix-up, since the director intended to cast Francisco Rabal Valera, (now all deceased, including the talented director).

Rewatched today, it seems very sparse, yet effective apart from some scenic naiveties. In any case, it contains a respectable soundtrack thanks to the trumpet-playing composer Don Ellis (who died of a heart attack at only 44 years of age).

There remains the certainty that the film became a school for many directors engaged in what was defined as the New Hollywood and it certainly deserves to be seen or revisited.