R.I.P William Friedkin

 R.I.P William Friedkin American Neo Noir film director of The French Connection, Cruising, To Live and Die in L.A., Killer Joe and also The Exorcist.

Thanks for the memories:

Part of Obit from New York Times - "Mr. Friedkin was a promising but not well-known director with a background in documentary film when he teamed up with the producer Philip D’Antoni to make “The French Connection,” based on the true story of two swashbuckling New York City police officers, Sonny Grosso and Eddie Egan, who broke up an international heroin-trafficking ring in 1961. The script was adapted from a book by Robin Moore.

Working with a modest budget, Mr. Friedkin and Mr. D’Antoni relied on a cast of relative unknowns. Roy Scheider, an Off Broadway actor, took the role of Mr. Grosso, called Buddy Russo in the film. Gene Hackman, whose modest credits included a small part in a big film, “Bonnie and Clyde,” and a big part in a small film, “I Never Sang for My Father,” was hired to play his partner, Popeye Doyle, based on Mr. Egan.

Filmed on location in New York for less than $2 million, or about $15 million in today’s money (the average Hollywood film cost $3 million at the time), “The French Connection” delivered visceral drama, documentary realism and edge-of-your-seat thrills. Popeye Doyle’s pursuit, in a commandeered car, of a hijacked elevated train in Brooklyn has often been called the best car-chase scene ever filmed.

“The French Connection” was released in 1971 and dominated the Academy Awards the next year, winning the Oscar for best picture and earning Mr. Friedkin the best director award. Mr. Hackman won for best actor in a leading role. The film also won in the adapted screenplay and editing categories." (By William Grimes for the New York Times Aug. 7, 2023)