There are no rules and no holds barred when Popeye cuts loose!|Oct. 09, 1971|USA|104 Min.|R
Genre: Action;Crime;Thriller
Description: In Marseille, a police detective tails Alain Charnier, the head of a major heroin-smuggling operation. The detective is killed by Charnier’s hitman, Pierre Nicoli. Charnier devises a plan to smuggle heroin worth $32 million into the United States by concealing it in the car of his friend, television personality Henri Devereaux, who is traveling to New York by ship.
In New York City, detectives Jimmy “Popeye” Doyle and Buddy “Cloudy” Russo notice mobsters involved in narcotics at a social gathering. They track a couple, Salvatore and Angie Boca, uncovering their connection to Joel Weinstock, a lawyer involved in the drug trade. Popeye discovers that a large heroin shipment is expected soon and convinces his superiors to tap the Bocas’ phones. Federal agents Mulderig and Klein join the investigation.
When Devereaux’s car arrives in New York, Boca eagerly wants to proceed with the deal, but Weinstock advises caution due to ongoing police surveillance. Charnier realizes he is being watched and evades Popeye at Grand Central Station. He later meets Boca in Washington D.C., where Boca requests a delay to avoid the police, but Charnier pushes for a quick transaction.
On the flight back to New York, Nicoli suggests killing Popeye, but Charnier opposes the idea, aware that Popeye would simply be replaced. Nevertheless, Nicoli attempts to shoot Popeye but misses. Popeye pursues Nicoli, who boards an elevated train. Popeye commandeers a car and chases Nicoli, causing multiple crashes along the way.
Cast director: William Friedkin
Cast actor: Gene Hackman, Fernando Rey, Roy Scheider, Tony Lo Bianco, Marcel Bozzuffi, Frédéric de Pasquale, Bill Hickman, Ann Rebbot, Harold Gary, Arlene Farber
Original name: The French Connection