tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5496179881623787025.post8774929905767707404..comments2024-02-10T00:48:16.880-08:00Comments on Through the Reels: AFI Top 100: #93 "The French Connection"Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06542135108071275742noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5496179881623787025.post-32956295787580485142014-09-05T16:21:52.218-07:002014-09-05T16:21:52.218-07:00Thanks for the review. Indeed ... the movie has s...Thanks for the review. Indeed ... the movie has suffered the test of time. What was a gritty realism with racist overtones - became more clichéd than anything else. Perhaps drilling down into the history of the film as it impacted future filming efforts - especially cop pictures - is worth a look. "Serpico" in 1973 was perhaps influenced by "The F.C." - if not directly - it probably encouraged the studio to go with it as gritty police dramas were popular. Although films like "Dirty Harry", which came out in 1971, and "Bullitt", which came out in 1968 are more engaging films - and the car chase in "The F.C." is actually a commuter train chase. Friedkin did a more stylish, but also gritty and realistic, film in 1985 "To Live and Die in L.A." The action and engagement of the viewer in these other films is better than "The F.C." Oh ... and "The Seven-Ups" made in 1973, starring Popeye's partner, Roy Scheider, has one of the top 3 car chases ever filmed - in my opinion. It is also set in NYC and is gritty and hard hitting. "Across 110th Street" made in 1973 is another NYC / Cop / Crime / Mafia film of some quality. Chuck J.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com