‘The French Connection’ premieres 40 years ago today (1971)


Video: 'The French Connection' trailer

(Thursday, October 7, 1971)The French Connection, a crime film directed by William Friedkin and starring Gene Hackman and Roy Scheider, opened tonight in New York City and Los Angeles.

The film tells the story of New York Police Department detectives named “Popeye” Doyle and Buddy “Cloudy” Russo.