French Connection II (1975)

French Connection II is a 1975 American neo-noir action thriller film starring Gene Hackman and directed by John Frankenheimer. It is a sequel to the 1971 film The French Connection, and continues the story of the central character, Detective Jimmy "Popeye" Doyle, who travels to Marseille in order to track down French drug-dealer Alain Charnier, played by Fernando Rey, who escaped at the end of the first film. Hackman and Rey are the only returning cast members.

Storyline

Picking up four years after The French Connection left off, New York City police officer Jimmy "Popeye" Doyle still searches for elusive drug kingpin Alain Charnier. The department sends him to Marseille to track down Charnier. Once there, Doyle is met by English-speaking Inspector Henri Barthélémy, who resents his rude, nasty crimefighting demeanor. Having read Doyle's personnel file, Henri informs him that it is strictly forbidden for visiting police officers from other countries to carry firearms. Later, while observing a beach volleyball match, Doyle is spotted by Charnier from a restaurant below. Determined to find Charnier on his own, Popeye has eluded two French police escorts assigned to keep watch on him. Doyle doesn't understand until later that he is being used as bait by French police to lure Charnier out of hiding. Later that same night, Charnier's men capture Doyle and take him to a seedy hotel for interrogation. For several weeks, Doyle is repeatedly injected with heroin. In the meantime, Barthélémy orders a city-wide search for Doyle, while Charnier interrogates the captive detective about what he knows. Doyle responds he was sent there because he is the only one who can recognize him. Charnier believes Doyle, and releases him after one massive injection. Doyle is dumped, barely alive but addicted, in front of police headquarters. In his effort to save both Doyle's life and reputation, Barthélémy quarantines Doyle in a police cell so he can begin his cold turkey withdrawal from heroin. After recovering from his withdrawal, Doyle searches Marseille and, finding the hideout he was brought to, sets it on fire. He breaks into a room and discovers Charnier's henchmen, whom he pursues and interrogates as to Charnier's whereabouts. He discovers that a delivery of opium is ongoing at the harbor. Doyle, Barthélémy, and other inspectors rush there and engage Charnier's henchmen in a gun battle. Then the criminals open a series of spillways and water rushes in, trapping Doyle and Barthélémy. The latter almost drowns, but Doyle manages to rescue him. French police want Doyle sent back home, but Doyle convinces Barthélémy, who "owes him one", to keep watch over the ship. They eventually spot the ship's captain on his way to meet Charnier's lieutenant Jacques, whom Doyle recognizes. A tipoff ensues taking the police to the drug warehouse, which they raid, but are met with a barrage of fire. Doyle picks up a gun and kills a gangster machine-gunning them. Jacques and other men escape with the drugs on board a van, but Barthélémy closes the warehouse door and stops them. Meanwhile, once again Charnier has escaped. Doyle makes an exhausting foot chase of Charnier, who is sailing out of the harbor on his yacht. After spotting Charnier in the distance, Doyle catches up with the vessel at the end of the pier, takes his gun out of his holster, and calls Charnier's name. A surprised Charnier turns and is shot dead by Doyle.

Sound Effects Used