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WSR Detailed DVD Review
French Connection, The


Five Star Collection
Genre: Action Adventure

Reviewed In Issue 54 (Nov 2001) Of Widescreen Review®

Stars:
Gene Hackman, Fernando Rey, Roy Scheider, Tony Lo Bianco & Marcel Bozzuffi

WSR Review Scores
WSR Picture Rating: 3
DD Sound Rating: 3.5
DTS Sound Rating: NA
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Reference Systems
Critics' Composite Score: 5
Internet Links
http://www.foxhome.com

Special Features
Disc One includes an up-front Fox ad, two audio commentary tracks (one by director William Friedkin; the other by actors Roy Scheider and Gene Hackman), and THX Optimode. Disc Two includes a stills gallery, seven deleted scenes, a making-of documentary, a BBC documentary, and a documentary in which Friedkin discusses the deleted scenes. There are also trailers for both French Connection movies.


 DVD General Information

(Studio/Distributor): 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment
(Catalog Number): 2002065
(MPAA Rating): R
(Rating Reason):

(Retail Price): $26.98
(DVD Type): Two DVD-9 Discs
(Widescreen Edition): Yes
(Full Screen Edition): No
(Anamorphic Widescreen): Yes
(Running Time In Minutes): 103
(Color Type): Color
(Chaptered/Scene Access): Yes
(Closed Captioned): Yes
(Regional Coding): 1
(Theatrical Year): 1971
(Theatrical Release): Yes
(Direct-To-Video Release): No
(DVD Release Date): 09/25/01
(THX® Digitally Mastered): Yes

 Credits Information

(Director): William Friedkin
(Screenplay/Written By): Subscribe Now!
(Story): Subscribe Now!
(Music): Subscribe Now!
(Director Of Photography): Subscribe Now!
(Production Designer): Subscribe Now!
(Visual Effects): Subscribe Now!
(Costume Designer): Subscribe Now!
(Editor): Subscribe Now!
(Supervising Sound Editors): Subscribe Now!
(Re-Recording Mixers): Subscribe Now!
(Executive Producers): Subscribe Now!
(Co-Producers): Subscribe Now!
(Producers): Subscribe Now!
(Academy Awards): Subscribe Now!

  DVD Picture Information

(Principal Photography): Subscribe Now!
(Theatrical Aspect Ratio): Subscribe Now!
(Measured DVD Anamorphic Aspect Ratio): Subscribe Now!
(Measured DVD Letterbox Aspect Ratio): Subscribe Now!

  DVD Sound Information

(DVD Soundtrack): Subscribe Now!
(Theatrical Sound): Subscribe Now!
(Theatrical Re-Issue Soundtrack): Subscribe Now!
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  WSR Narrative Review
Special Notes:
Also available in a French Connection/French Connection II double feature DVD set ($39.98)

Story Synopsis:
The French Connection swept the 1971 Academy Awards

DVD Picture:
The anamorphically enhanced 1.85:1 DVD exhibits a dated picture, but one that is quite sharp, with good contrast. Colors are well balanced, with generally accurate fleshtones, and endless blacks. The source element is revealing of artifacts and film grain. Edge enhancement can be obtrusive at times. The LaserDisc (Issue 20), by comparison, is totally undefined with limited contrast. (Suzanne Hodges)

Soundtrack:
The Dolby