French Connection II

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On Sky Movies Modern Greats 14/12/09 23:50

Director: John Frankenheimer

Stars: Gene Hackman, Fernando Rey, Bernard Fresson, Jean-Pierre Castaldi

Year: 1975 Running Time: 119 mins Rating:

Gene Hackman's formidable New York cop 'Popeye' Doyle goes to Marseilles to finish business with elusive drug dealer Charnier (Fernando Rey). The task becomes a whole lot tougher when Charnier's goons turn him into a heroin addict. It's not pretty but with Doyle's kidnap nightmare bookended by terrific action scenes, you can't tear your eyes from John Frankenheimer's unflinching follow-up to the Oscar-winning classic.

Review

Full of action and working up to some great scenes, this thriller sequel is nearly as great as its predecessor. Repeating his Oscar-winning role, Hackman is so good as American cop 'Popeye' Doyle on the trail of Fernando Rey's narcotics ring in Marseille that the whole film is riveting.

Even though the plot is hard to believe, the set-pieces are superbly staged and the action impressively tough and violent.

Review by IPC