The film centres on the exploits of Jimmy 'Popeye' Doyle and Buddy Russo from the New York Narcotics division.

The film tells the true story of the biggest drugs bust in recent years, following the partners as they try to uncover the truth.

Doyle and Russo uncover facts that lead them to a sweet shop owned by a character called Boca, who lives too extravagant a lifestyle to simply run a small business.

They discover that he is involved in a massive drugs deal with a French connection.

Doyle desperately pursues the drug pushers throughout the film, leading to the penultimate car chase through the streets of New York and into the warehouse, where the film mysteriously ends.

The audience has little time to consider the events unfolding due to the fast pace.

The famous car chase, involving Gene Hackman as Doyle, is very much a template for other films such as Woody Allen's Annie Hall.

The scene involves extremely fast cutting and editing which adds pace and tension.

The film was extremely popular on its release in 1971 and picked up five Oscars, including best actor for Gene Hackman, best director for William Friedkin and best picture.

Some reasons perhaps for the film's huge success were the documentary-style filming and original New York street sets.

Also, the film was not a typical undercover detective movie based on fast pace action and frequent shoot outs.

The French Connection narrative tends to be character-orientated, with the action moving along as the character discovers new information.

It is a movie that, while slightly dated, still flows smoothly enough to remain enjoyable.