Product: French Connection [VHS] (1971)
Rating: 5.0
OUTSTANDING!!!!
This is the BEST DVD I've seen so far. Everything from the package to the extras was done with care! I first saw the French Connection while still in high school in the mid 80's and was hooked. It is in my opinion the FINEST COP MOVIE ever made. It also is a wonderful snapshot of the early 70's.I'm amazed at the picture quality! I have a recent vhs version and there is no comparison. In the vhs version, what looked like a sun drenched morning shot is now a bitter cold evening shot. That is how yellow the vhs looks. I had no idea the film had deteriorated so badly. It's like seeing the movie for the first time. The sound is excellent as well. The singing by the Three Degrees at the begining of the film sounds less like a dubbed track and more like a live performance.The extras are outstanding! Friedkin's commentary is the best I've heard so far. Genuinely informative comments about the making of the film that add a great deal. The bulk of the cut scenes are pretty bad but nonetheless great to see. The documentaries are also among the best I've seen. There is a scene of Sonny Grosso and Tony Lo Bianco walking by some of the "scenes of the crimes" that is really nice to see. It's great to hear what went into the making of the chase scene. They also explain the "pick your feet" comment! (Finally!) Hackman & Scheider's commentary is brief and could have been more scene specific but is very enjoyable.This isn't a special effects, explosion filled crime movie. This is a carefully constructed film that takes you into the lives of two New York cops. They simply don't make movies like this anymore! The documentary quality adds so much. The direction, the camera work, the acting, & the dialogue are all excellent! I CAN'T GIVE THIS MOVIE OR THE DVD A HIGH ENOUGH RATING! Get it and enjoy!