The French Connection is the 1971 crime drama starring Gene Hackman as James "Popeye" Doyle, a relentless NYPD detective who is determined to take down the infamous drug trafficking ring. The film was directed by William Friedkin and was based on author Robin Moore's 1969 non-fiction book The French Connection: A True Account of Cops, which itself was based on the actual cases investigated by Detective Eddie Egan, who co-stars in the film as Captain Walt Simonson. The film is remembered for its realistic portrayal of police work as well as for its famous car chase with an elevated train. The film would receive five Academy Awards, including, Best Director, and Best Actor for Hackman, who would return as Doyle in the 1975 sequel French Connection II. Popeye Doyle , a television film that starred Ed O'Neill as Doyle premiered in 1986.
The following weapons were used in the film The French Connection:
Many of the NYPD detectives, including Jimmy "Popeye" Doyle (Gene Hackman), Walt Simonson (Eddie Egan), the real life basis for Doyle), and FBI agent Bill Mulderig (Bill Hickman), carry Colt Detective Specials. Doyle keeps his in an ankle holster, although it switches in several scenes to a Smith & Wesson Model 36. Several of Boca's mobsters, including his brother Lou (Benny Marino), also use Detective Specials.
Due to continuity errors, some shots of Det. "Popeye" Doyle (Gene Hackman) pursuing Nicoli after the car chase and searching for Charnier after the bust, his Colt Detective Special is now a Smith & Wesson Model 36. Salvatore "Sal" Boca (Tony Lo Bianco) and some of his mobsters also fire Model 36s at the NYPD.
Charnier's hitman Pierre Nicoli (Marcel Bozzuffi) carries a Colt Gold Cup National Match , or the GCNM in short, as his sidearm throughout the film, notably using it to hijack the BMT West End Line elevated train.
Det. Buddy "Cloudy" Russo (Roy Scheider) and several other NYPD officers fire Winchester Model 1897 shotguns at the mobsters and drug dealers during the final shootout.
