Strong New York-based American and French accents throughout. Intermediate speakers and up.
This film is on the list for a couple of reasons but the most important is Gene Hackman, who died a short while ago. Hackman was an absolute giant of cinema throughout his career, which spanned 5 decades and included some of the greatest performances ever seen on screen. Starting with his star making turn in Bonnie nd Clyde, his powerhouse performances in The Conversation and Unforgiven, to his most famous as the dsastardly Lex Luthor in 3 Superman films, he was an actor that almost everyone recognised, young or old.
But his greatest performance? Popeye.
Ok, not that Popeye. Jimmy Popeye Doyle, the detective at the heart of one of the best films of the 70s, The French Connection.
The film begins with an assassination on the streets of Paris, where sou are introduced to the main antagonist, a wealthy drug dealer who is known throughout the film as "Frog One". He hires an unwitting actor to help him in a huge deal in New York.
It's there we meet Doyle, a tough as nails Detective who uncovers the plot and, with his partner played by Ron Scheider, attempts to take him down. The film has a gritty quality that is unmatched in today's cinema, as well as one of the most incredible action sequences ever filmed. The car chase through downtown New York was filmed without the knowledge of the other road users, making it all the more memorable.
Finally, Gene Hackman. His Oscar winning turn as Doyle is perfect. To win an Oscar for such a film was a rarity even back then, but Hackman earns it with every brilliantly delivered line.
"Popeye's here!"