French Connection II

Released in 1975 and directed by John Frankenheimer, this American crime thriller continues the story of the Oscar-winning The French Connection from 1971. Gene Hackman returns as New York detective Jimmy "Popeye" Doyle, who follows drug kingpin Alain Charnier, played by Fernando Rey, to Marseille after the trafficker escaped capture in the first picture's finale. Hackman and Rey are the only performers reprising their roles.

Where the original was rooted in true events, this installment uses a wholly invented screenplay and keeps the spotlight even tighter on Doyle. Operating far from home, dependent on French authorities and unable to speak the language, the detective pushes his manhunt through the port city's underworld while his quarry slips through his fingers. Much of the production was shot on location in Marseille. Critics responded mostly favorably upon release, and the film performed well at the box office.