Product: French Connection [VHS] (1971)
Rating: 4.0
Weak Transfer, Excellent Supplements
There are few films that everyone should own, and The French Connection is one of them. After 30 years, it remains one of the most compelling crime stories ever committed to film, and it's centerpiece car chase is just as thrilling today as it was 30 years ago.It's a bit of a shame that the transfer isn't quite up to snuff. Like other "gritty" films, the transfer suffers from extensive film grain in daytime shots, with the early scenes in France particularly bothersome. Given the advances in DVD authoring, it's surprising to see something with Matrix-level graininess on the market, but this is a quibble that only videophiles will notice.As for supplements, this disc offers some of the year's best. Two extensive documentaries featuring interviews with many of the surviving members of the cast and crew delve into the true story behind the film and the nature of the production. The BBC-produced "Poughkeepsie Shuffle" even revisits the locations as they appear today, offering a nice contrast between New York City then and now.As an added bonus, there are seven deleted scenes--remarkable for a film of this age--which can be viewed with or without an introduction from director Friedkin.The French Connection isn't a kid's film by any standard, but it should be noted that the deleted scenes and the BBC doc both contain language and images that parents probably don't want their young children to see or hear. This isn't one of those "soft" R-rated pictures that would pass for PG today.If you love this film, you need this DVD. If you've never seen this film, you still need this DVD, so that you can experience a masterwork of American cinema with lasting power. Who knew Gene Hackman could be a tough guy?