Main content
The French Connection
Episode 1 of 3
4 Extra Debut. An American crime classic. Paul Gambaccini on the story behind 1971 Best Picture winner, The French Connection. From 2016.
An American crime classic.
Paul Gambaccini on the story behind 1971's winner for Best Picture.
An early example of the new wave in American films, The French Connection went on to win 5 Oscars.
It set both its leading man (Gene Hackman) and its young director (William Friedkin) off on what were to become glittering careers.
It was the first R-rated movie to win the Best Picture Oscar and one of the earliest to show the newly complete World Trade Towers.
Producer: Paul Kobrak
First broadcast on 麻豆社 Radio 4 in February 2016.
Last on
Tue 24 Mar 2026
00:00
麻豆社 Radio 4 Extra
More episodes
Previous
Broadcasts
Sat 20 Feb 2016 10:30麻豆社 Radio 4- Mon 23 Mar 2026 10:00麻豆社 Radio 4 Extra
- Mon 23 Mar 2026 16:00麻豆社 Radio 4 Extra
- Tue 24 Mar 2026 00:00麻豆社 Radio 4 Extra
The Business of Film
Mark Kermode reveals the economic realities behind the film industry.