Frankly, this is one of the truly great American films of all time. Hackman is riveting, and the chase scenes are as good as their reputation. Awesome.

I watched this movie for the first time today. At first, I hesitated before picking up the DVD because I worried that it would go really slowly and become one of those movies that only gets interesting during the last 35-40 minutes. But I was wrong. In this movie, I saw the seedier sides of New York, drug dealing and a truckload of amazing acting all rolled into one hell of an entertaining crime movie. It may not be an all out gunfights, car chases and one liner action epic, but If you like your crime on the realistic side, SEE THIS MOVIE.… Expand

The first true New York movie. Gritty, realistic camera work. Plus, Hackman and Scheider are awesome. Everyone says that "A Clockwork Orange" deserved the Oscar, but just because it's Kubrick doesn't make it so. A 4-star classic!

Gene Hackman as the dumpy tough cop.. superb!! Must see movie with a gritty feel you can almost imagine being there. So rare to find a Hollywood movie that is actually believable... this one is!!!!!!!

I can't understand the reputation this movie has. It has an extremely misleading title, and gives you a very negative impression of the country. It's not my experience of France at all. It was such a lovely place when I spent my honeymoon there. I didn't see any drugs the whole time I was there.

One of my lesser favorites of the best picture winners for the Academy Awards. For me, it doesn't stand out that much from any other crime thriller.It's above average, but not earth shatteringly exciting. It is superbly edited. I have no idea how this beat The Last Picture show.

I placed "The French Connection" in the #3 spot on my 1971 Best Film's list. It would have been #1 if its much praised car-train chase sequence had been more carefully photographed and edited. Any viewers familiar with the section of Brooklyn in which it was filmed should have been able to spot how sloppily it was put together.

One of my favourites. A thrilling movie with a stunning performance by Gene Hackman. Got to love watching old movies without that disturbing "Hollywood-Music" in every single scene.

A simple story about sophisticated international malfeasance that attempted one transaction too many. Nothing to indicate distinction, but director Friedkin was able to realize a vision of underlying intensity, and Hackman put in such an undeterred performance that he is still the icon of law enforcement persistence.

Best bang for the buck, a movie that smartly reinvigorated the crime thriller by infusing it with the gritty realism of New American cinema that exploded onto the scene in the early 70s. It's however much more than a half n half mixture of Hollywood action and art film. There's real chemistry and fireworks resulting from the fusion. Edgy, hardboiled, and packed with fierce action without ever going overboard(the norm in today's action films) this is one of a kind. Acting is impeccable all around. Friedkin wouldn't make a film this good until To Live and Die in LA. … Expand

Thrilling ffrom the first to the last, hackman dazzles in this great cop story, they dont make them like this any more.

The French Connection is an example of a classic action drama film. If you like to see a great film then make this your (French) connection.

One of my all-time favorites, in every regard.