A thrilling action thriller that bagged five Oscars is set to be shown on television for free tonight (Sunday, March 16).
Classic movie The French Connection, featuring the late Gene Hackman, will be broadcast free of charge for viewers to relish.
In a tribute to the actor, the has lined up a double bill showcasing two of Hackman’s most iconic roles.
The 1971 action-packed thriller will air on Two at 10pm on Sunday, March 16, followed by The Conversation at 11.40pm with the 1974 mystery drama also being shown on the same channel.
Post-broadcast, both films are expected to be available on iPlayer for catch-up viewing.
It is being shown as a special double bill (Image: Getty Images)
For those eager to watch ‘The French Connection’ sooner, it is currently available for streaming on Disney+, reports .
Hackman died last month at the age of 95. His death was sadly announced alongside that of his wife Betsy Arakawa, after their bodies were discovered in their New Mexico home.
The legend had enjoyed a successful career spanning five decades in the film industry before his retirement.
In the gritty crime thriller The French Connection, Gene Hackman delivers a powerhouse performance as Detective Jimmy ‘Popeye’ Doyle, the hard-hitting, rule-bending cop determined to dismantle a transatlantic narcotics syndicate in New York.
The film’s impact was monumental, sweeping five Academy Awards post-release, including Best Actor for Hackman and accolades for Best Director, Best Picture, Best Adapted Screenplay, and Jerry Greenberg’s masterful editing of one of the most thrilling car chases ever captured on film.
The film earned five Oscar wins including a Best Actor for Hackman (Image: Fox)
“The French Connection” boasts an impressive 97% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, with legions of fans echoing the critical acclaim. One admirer took to the internet to express their admiration: “I think The French Connection is a landmark police action thriller, and Gene Hackman’s portrayal of the film’s protagonist is one of the actor’s all time greatest performances. The exciting car chase sequence is well filmed and edited and remains one of cinema’s best.”
Another fan offered high praise, succinctly remarking: “Nonstop exciting film from start to finish. Undoubtedly ones of the all-time best.”
Reflecting on the movie’s enduring legacy, a Times critic observed: “It’s hard to imagine it now, but there are only two types of cop movie: pre and post-The French Connection. That’s how big it is.”
The Conversation centres around Harry Caul, a surveillance expert and industrial spy who is fiercely protective of his own privacy. However, when he stumbles upon what seems to be a murder plot during an assignment, his professional and personal lives become chillingly intertwined.
This film is often cited as another of Hackman’s standout performances, despite its slightly lower Rotten Tomatoes rating of 93%. Directed by Francis Ford Coppola, it may not have been the darling of the Academy like French Connection, but it still garnered three Oscar nominations.
One ardent fan encapsulated why movie enthusiasts should seize the opportunity to watch this film: “A uniquely gripping, tense and nail-biting film that draws you into the mysterious world of Francis Ford Coppola, who twists and turns the plot in ways you couldn’t even imagine. A must watch!
The French Connection is streaming on Disney+.