New York City detectives ""Popeye"" Doyle (Gene Hackman) and Buddy Russo (Roy Scheider) hope to break a narcotics smuggling ring and ultimately uncover The French Connection. But when one of the criminals tries to kill Doyle he begins a deadly pursuit that takes him far outside the city limits. Based on a true story this action-filled thriller with its renowned chase scene won five Academy Award in 1971 including Best Picture Best Director (William Friedkin) and Best Actor for