The central car chase and NYC street grit made it famous, but William Friedkin’s breakout film endures for its watchfulness. A pair of rough detectives (Gene Hackman and Roy Scheider) stumble onto what they believe is a major heroin ring. As they shadow the suspects, block after block, mostly on foot, the tension and pressure builds. -Lee Gardner
1971 Dir. William Friedkin 1.85:1 Color DCP 104 min.
