Although many people watching The French Connection since the 1970s may not understand its importance, this film helped to build the basis for cops and robbers films everywhere. The French Connection has all the basic elements of a good cops and robbers film, but at the time it was filmed these were relatively new and were not cliché. Additionally, The French Connection used a documentary style to make the events seem more real since the film was actually loosely based on a true story. The elements of the film are brought together to form a seamless story.

One of the greatest successes of The French Connection is Gene Hackman's chase scene. After Nicoli tries to kill Doyle at his home, Doyle begins to chase Nicoli through the streets and subways of New York City. Swerving between cars, barely avoiding pedestrians, and always keeping his...