Detective Popeye Kills Pierre Working with Gene Hackman Casting the Film Everything is Cinema The Look and the Score Permits and the Car Chase The French Connection Wins Film Editing: 1972 Oscars Trailer The French Connection Wins Best Picture | 44th Oscars (1972) William Friedkin ‪Wins Best Directing | 44th Oscars (1972) The French Connection Wins Adapted Screenplay: 1972 Oscars William Friedkin On The Car Chase In THE FRENCH CONNECTION Gene Hackman Wins Best Actor: 1972 Oscars William Friedkin on Casting Fernando Ray In THE FRENCH CONNECTION William Friedkin on the Car Chase Scene In THE FRENCH CONNECTION