William Friedkin's background was in documentary but his first four movies comprised of two musicals and two play adaptations before he was given a documentary style story: the tale of busting a heroin ring. Luck fell his way - the perfect star Gene Hackman, an ideal producer in Philip d'Atonini, a story that suited him (violent, grime), Ernest Tidyman knocked the story into shape (though Friedkin downplayed the result but Friedkin wrecked too many scripts to take him overly seriously).
Superb support from Tony Lo Bianco, Roy Scheider, Frenando Rey, Marcel Bozzuffi. Random scene where a TV star from France is interviewed. Popeye Doyle is very destructive and a not particularly competent cop. Visceral chase scene - Popeye really could call the next station (and you could cut the scene from the film story wise).
Simple story - padded out with chase scenes, and tailing scenes - is given life via energy, fresh treatment, actors.
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