French Connection New York City detectives Popeye Doyle (Gene Hackman) & Buddy Russo (Roy Scheider) hope to break a narcotics smuggling ring & ultimately uncover The French Connection. But when one of the criminals tries to kill Doyle he begins a deadly pursuit that takes him far outside the city limits. Based on a true story this action-filled thriller with its renowned chase scene won five Academy Awards in 1971 including Best Picture Best Director (William Friedkin) & Best Actor for Hackman. French Connection IIGene Hackman reprises his Oscar-winning role as Popeye Doyle the hard-nosed New York detective determined to break a French narcotics ring. Kidnapped by heroin kingpin Alain Charnier (Fernando Rey) in Marseilles Doyle is mercilessly forced to become a junkie himself. Upon his release Doyle must kick his habit & join forces with his French police counterpart (Bernard Fresson) to hunt down Charnier. Gritty action riveting performances & a vividly realistic setting make French Connection II a powerful sequel to the brilliant original.