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The French Connection

4 Extra Debut. An American crime classic. Paul Gambaccini on the story behind 1971 Best Picture winner, The French Connection. From 2016.

An American crime classic.

Paul Gambaccini on the story behind 1971's winner for Best Picture.

An early example of the new wave in American films, The French Connection went on to win 5 Oscars.

It set both its leading man (Gene Hackman) and its young director (William Friedkin) off on what were to become glittering careers.

It was the first R-rated movie to win the Best Picture Oscar and one of the earliest to show the newly complete World Trade Towers.

Producer: Paul Kobrak

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in February 2016.

Available now

30 minutes

Broadcasts

  • Sat 20 Feb 201610:30
  • Last Monday10:00
  • Last Monday16:00
  • Last Tuesday00:00

The Business of Film

The Business of Film

Mark Kermode reveals the economic realities behind the film industry.