The Odyssey honours the late Gene Hackman through the film that won him his first Oscar, in 1972: directed by William Friedkin, this gripping crime thriller redefined the genre.

Hackman stars as the gutsy, unrelenting Detective "Popeye" Doyle, following him and his partner, the calm and methodical Detective Buddy "Cloudy" Russo, played by Roy Scheider, as they pursue an international drug trafficking ring. Hackman’s portrayal of Popeye –  a character defined by his aggressive, borderline obsessive approach to law enforcement – is widely regarded as his most iconic role.

Friedkin’s Oscar-winning direction brought a raw, documentary-style realism to the film, particularly through the famous car chase sequence – considered one of the most thrilling in cinematic history (a total must-see on the big screen). The French Connection also won Best Picture, Best Adapted Screenplay and Best Film Editing, setting a new standard for American crime films with a tough, gritty New York style that was often imitated for the rest of the decade.

Gene Hackman 1930 - 2025