The French Connection

1971: William Friedkin, director: starring Gene Hackman, Fernando Rey, Roy Scheider. Based on a true story, the movie has “Popeye” Doyle (Hackman) and Buddy Russo (Scheider) going after the Mob-controlled importation of heroin into New York City through Sicily and France. It is considered one of the best police procedural movies ever. It was nominated for eight Academy Awards, and won five: Best Picture, Best Director, Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Editing and Best Actor. Fun fact: Sonny Grosso and Eddie Eagan, the real-life French Connection detectives, have small roles as police in the movie.