Widely regarded as one of the greatest actors of all time, Gene Hackman sadly passed away this week. His reputation was built on decades of intense performances, including his Oscar winning role as Detective ‘Popeye‘ Doyle in the 1971 film “The French Connection“.
This neo-noir crime thriller had one of the car-craziest scenes in cinematic history. “The French Connection” was produced by Philip D’Antoni, who had also had produced the legendary Steve McQueen movie “Bullitt” back in 1969. He did not want to duplicate the Mustang-versus-Charger car chase scene from the earlier film. So, when D’Antoni and “The French Connection” director William Friedkin were scouting New York locations, the subway rumbling beneath them served as inspiration for a completely original idea; car chases train!
In modern “Fast and Furious” type action movies, car chases move the plot forward, but are really just a spectacle. However, in “The French Connection” the chase scene provides insights into the mind of Detective ‘Popeye’ Doyle.
The big scene begins with Detective Doyle in a foot chase with a French gangster who just shot at him. The Frenchman runs down the street, trying to evade Popeye, and quickly scurries up a flight of stairs to an elevated subway train. Doyle misses the train, scrambles back down to the street and commandeers a cinnamon coloured 1971 Pontiac Pontiac LeMans hardtop from a passing citizen.
In an attempts to beat the subway to the next station, Popeye drives at breakneck speed without lights or a siren. The ‘EL’ train chase demonstrates that Popeye is willing to do anything to get the bad guys. The pursuit serves as a metaphor for Popeye’s obsession of capturing his prey at all cost. This policeman breaks the law, runs red lights, and speeds through public streets, putting the lives of innocent citizens in jeopardy. Nothing will stand in his way.
The imagery of the car below chasing the elevated train above symbolizes the dynamic between cops and criminals. In their fight, the bad guys have the high ground. The criminal in the train glides along the rails unimpeded. The cop in the car below jukes and dodges obstacles in a constant attempt just to keep up. The criminals don’t have to follow rules, but as a police detective, Popeye is restricted by the social contract that differentiates good guys from bad guys. But only when the detective breaks rules, and discards public safety in the wild chase, only then can does he catch up with the evil Frenchman.
From the initial scenes in Marseilles with a Citroen DS in the background, to the shots of NYC crowded with Dodge Polaras and Chevy Impalas, this film is a car-spotters dream come true. The star of the show in undoubtedly the evil French gangsters two-door 1970 Lincoln Continental Mark III, the ultimate in American style and luxury of the era.
An great film anchored by an incredible actor, Gene Hackman will be missed.
I love the French Connection. I saw it first run in one of the theaters downtown when I was 13 years old. I’ve seen it a few times since then.
Man, as a car guy, I am ashamed to say this, but I watched it for the first time last night with my wife and kids (daughter fell asleep, son shouted at the TV when Gene nearly ran over the baby carriage). And you know why I didnt want to see it? Because the Pontiac LeMans was a 4 door. I dont like 4 door cars because they ain’t as cool as 2 door coupes.
.
Can you imagine a stupider reason?!?
I don’t like four-door cars either. Unless they are hatchbacks. I had no idea what the movie was about before I walked into the theater when I was 13. But it was a cool movie.
Jeez, you’re a lucky guy. This is wjat was on the big screen when you were 13? I got stuck with “Adventures In Babysitting”
.
And with few exceptions, to me a 4 door says sedan and family car whwreas a 2 door says single and ready to mingle.
My mom worked downtown from the late 60s into the 80s. I used to go to work with her every once in a while in the summertime and wander all over downtown and go to movies in the various theaters on Central Ave (old Route 66). Otherwise, I was left at home with the best babysitter ever — my motocross bike. Since felonies were few in the 70s, I had a blast. Almost everything I did as a preteen and teenager is against the law these days. Sad state of affairs.
You grew up in a golden era. #blessed#
i read about this film this week because hackman had such a major part. i think it really jump started his career. i like your analysis of good guys vs bad guys.
i am (binge) watching The Rookie right now. i am finding it VERY interesting — almost like it has some social value as a show because i think it is pretty fair in its depictions of the good guys (who are sometimes bad) and the bad guys (who are usually bad to the bone, but often because of circumstances out of their control).
I didn’t realize that French Connecticut was so early in Hackman’s career. To me, he’s always been so old, I thought he was acting in the 50s, not the 70s.
.
Is the Rookie the one with the 40 year old beat cop?
you’re right he was super old and acting before 1971 but i think that was the role that cemented his rising stardom.
yes. nathan fillion is the lead. greg says he was on firefly. i had not seen him before.
I kust watched a couple of film analysis YT videos about TFC and its protagonist. This was the role that made made him a movie star.
great minds think alike.
I’ve been hearing about his death everywhere while they try to piece together what happened. Last news was that he could have been there for 9 days, because that’s when his pacemaker stopped. It’s all so strange and confusing and not at all how he should have been remembered.
I stopped watching the news on Tuesday November 5th so I heard about Gene’s passing at the office water cooler.
.
The more I heard, the stranger his death sounds. Carbon monoxide? Pacemaker incident? The dog?
.
You are SO RIGHT that the man’s life should be celebrated, not become a mystery novel upon his passing. It’s kind of sad. I feel bad for their family.
Good-bye to a terrific actor. French Connection was a great film and remains a classic. “”Have you ever been to Poughkeepsie?” RIP Gene.