French Connection, The (1971) - New York City detectives "Popeye" Doyle (Gene Hackman) and buddy Russo (Roy Scheider) hope to break a narcotics smuggling ring and ultimately uncover The French Connection. But when one of the criminals tries to kill Doyle, he begins a deadly pursuit that takes him far outside the city limits.
French Connection II (1975) - Gene Hackman reprises his Oscar-winning* role as Popeye Doyle, the hard-nosed New York detective determined to break a French narcotics ring. Kidnapped by heroin kingpin Alain Charnier (Fernando Rey) in Marseilles, Doyle is mercilessly forced to become a junkie himself. Upon his release, Doyle must kick his habit and join forces with his French police counterpart (Bernard Fresson) to hunt down Charnier. Gritty action, riveting performances and a vividly realistic setting make French Connection II a powerful sequel to the brilliant original.