In addition to the two main protagonists, several of the fictional characters depicted in the film also have real-life counterparts. The Alain Charnier character is based upon Jean Jehan, who was arrested later in Paris for drug trafficking, though he was not extradited since France does not extradite its citizens.

Is The French Connection a true story on Wikipedia?

The French Connection, also known as The French Connection: The World's Most Crucial Narcotics Investigation and The French Connection: A True Account of Cops, Narcotics, and International Conspiracy, is a nonfiction book by Robin Moore first published in 1969 about the notorious "French Connection" drug-trafficking ...

What happened to Charnier in The French Connection?

Alain Charnier escaped and is believed to be living in France. Both Doyle and Russo were transferred out of the Narcotics Bureau and re-assigned to other departments in the NYPD. (Note: The French Connection drug bust that inspired the film took place in 1961.

Who did Doyle shoot at the end of The French Connection?

The French Connection

Near the end of the movie, Popeye accidentally kills Bill Mulderig (Bill Hickman), a federal agent with whom he previously had an argument. Undeterred by Mulderig's death, Popeye continues in pursuit of his foe.

Was James Caan in The French Connection?

Both James Caan and Peter Boyle turned down the role of Popeye Doyle. One of the main reasons Boyle decided not to make the film was the reaction to his work in Joe (1970).

The French Connection Documentary | Al Profit

Did John Wayne and James Caan get along?

They worked on El Dorado, a western of course. Cann said Wayne was intimidating at first but eventually got along well. Wayne was a staunch conservative who approved of the McCarthy communist witch hunt and would have been pleased at Caan's political stand.

Did James Caan really play the piano in Elf?

James Caan was a true delight. My favorite memory of him was shooting part of a montage for the end of Elf and he started playing piano — he played beautifully — I sang and he played and I was just astonished by his talent!

What does pick your toes in Poughkeepsie mean?

"Picking your feet in Poughkeepsie" is a phrase that Egan would sometimes use during interrogations to disorient and confuse suspects during interrogations, with the aim of Grosso getting them to open up by asking more direct queries actually related to the case.

How much of The French Connection movie was true?

The real-life operation was somewhat less spectacular than the movie, but the drug bust was impressive nonetheless. On January 18 and February 24, 1962, in Brooklyn and the Bronx, the NYPD seized 24 pounds and 73 pounds of heroin, The New York Times reported. The film depicts just one part of the larger operation.

Who is the bad guy in The French Connection?

One of the great antagonists/nemeses in movie history is Alain Charnier (Fernando Rey) in William Friedkin's 1971 classic, The French Connection.

Was The French Connection Chase scene real?

How William Friedkin made The French Connection – and almost killed Gene Hackman. The greatest car chase in cinema was shot with no permits and featured actual crashes with real New Yorkers.

Why is The French Connection a great movie?

Realistic, fast-paced and uncommonly smart, The French Connection is bolstered by stellar performances by Gene Hackman and Roy Scheider, not to mention William Friedkin's thrilling production.

Who is the real Popeye Doyle?

The character based on Egan, Jimmy "Popeye" Doyle, was played by Gene Hackman who won an Academy Award for his performance (the film also won Oscars for Best Picture, Director, Screenplay, and Editing). The character was called "Popeye" because that was Egan's nickname in real life.

What was The French Connection scandal?

The French Connection was a scheme through which heroin was smuggled from Indochina through Turkey to France and then to the United States and Canada. The operation started in the 1930s, reached its peak in the 1960s, and was dismantled in the 1970s.

Was Steve McQueen in The French Connection?

Steve McQueen was also considered, but he did not want to do another police film after Bullitt and, as with Newman, his fee would have exceeded the movie's budget.

Who was the real cop in French Connection?

Mr. Egan was the tough-talking New York City police officer whose exploits inspired the Academy Award winning film The French Connection (1971). With partner Sonny Grosso, he managed a 112-pound heroin bust in 1962, one of the biggest in New York's history. Mr.

Did Gene Hackman drive the car in The French Connection?

While it was desirable to have Hackman in the car as much as possible, we hired one of the best stunt drivers from Hollywood, Bill Hickman, to drive the five stunts.

What line was removed from The French Connection?

Within those six seconds, an exchange between the narcotics cop Jimmy “Popeye” Doyle (Gene Hackman) and his partner Buddy Russo (Roy Scheider), Doyle uses the n-word. In the new cut, he does not.

What happened to Alain Charnier?

Charnier escapes to another factory being chased by Doyle and Russo. Doyle mistakes a shadowy figure for Charnier, he shoots who he believes is Charnier. It turns out to be Bill Mulderig, an undercover narcotics agent. Charnier successfully escapes the factory and the credits later state that he was never caught.

What happened at the end of the French connection?

There are three stages that we see when it comes to this shocking ending, so let's break it down: Doyle shoots Mulderig. Doyle runs after Charnier, and there's a shot. Slides showing the fates of each real-life character, ending with the news that Doyle (apparently alive) and Rosso were transferred out of narcotics.

What is the nickname of Poughkeepsie?

Poughkeepsie has been called "The Queen City of the Hudson". It was settled in the 17th century by the Dutch and became New York State's second capital shortly after the American Revolution.

What is the meaning of Poughkeepsie?

It was settled by the Dutch in 1683; its name, of Wappinger Indian origin, means “reed-covered lodge by the little water place.” Poughkeepsie served as the temporary state capital, and the U.S. Constitution was ratified there in 1788.

Did Will Ferrell actually sing in Elf?

Zooey Deschanel singing was not in the original script, and Favreau added it when he learned she was a singer. When Buddy starts singing in the middle of Santaland at Gimbels, the lyrics were not scripted, and Will Ferrell improvised the song on the spot.

Who else auditioned for Elf?

Jim Carrey was supposed to play Buddy the Elf.

Although Jim Carrey didn't end up in this film you probably recognise him as playing The Grinch. An actor called Chris Farley was also asked to play Buddy but the writer of Elf didn't think he was a good fit. It took years before they found the perfect Buddy.

How old was Will Ferrell in Elf was filmed?

This actually makes Buddy a fair amount younger than Will Ferrell himself, who was 35 years old at the time of Elf's filming, and 36 when the movie was released to theaters.