You can see Gene Hackman, one of the best car-chase scenes in movie history and the sequel in high definition this coming February. The French Connection and The French Connection 2 will both be released in Blu-ray on February 24, 2009. We don’t have the cover art for each disc as of yet, but they will each be available for $34.99 SRP. Both films, the first of which won five Oscars including Best Picture, star Gene Hackman in his Academy Award-winning role as Popeye Doyle.

The French Connection

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. Based on a true story, this action-filled thriller won five Academy Awards in 1971, including Best Picture, Best Director (William Friedkin) and Best Actor for Hackman.

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Special Features:

Disc One:

  • NEW HD - William Friedkin Introduction to The French Connection

  • NEW Trivia Track

  • NEW Isolated 5.1 Score Track

  • Theatrical Trailer

  • NEW D-Box Motion Control

Disc Two:

  • NEW HD - William Friedkin Discusses Deleted Scenes

  • Tailing the Frog

  • The Whip Girl

  • Devereaux at Work

  • Mutchie’s Bar

  • Mutchie’s Bar Part 2

  • Girl on a Bicycle

  • Street Walker

  • Hector

  • NEW HD Featurette: Anatomy of a Chase

  • NEW HD Featurette: Gene Hackman on Popeye Doyle

  • NEW HD Featurette: Friedkin and Grosso Remember the Real French Connection

  • NEW HD Featurette: Scene of the Crime

  • NEW HD Featurette: Color Timing The French Connection

  • NEW HD Featurette: Cop Jazz-The Music of Don Ellis

  • NEW HD Featurette: Rogue Cop-The Noir Connection

  • BBC Documentary: The Poughkeepsie Shuffle

  • Making the Connection: The Untold Stories of The French Connection

The French Connection 2

While The French Connection was only the beginning… French Connection II is the climax! Directed by cinematic visionary John Frankenheimer (The Manchurian Candidate,Ronin), the action moves overseas to Marseilles where “Popeye” Doyle is tracking the one drug trafficker that eluded him in New York. After being held captive and tortured by the man he pursues, he enlists the help of the French police and the pulse-pounding chase is on once again.

  • NEW HD Featurette: Frankenheimer in Focus

  • NEW HD Featurette: A Conversation with Gene Hackman

  • NEW HD Stills Gallery