Remembering William Friedkin, Director of THE FRENCH CONNECTION and THE EXORCIST

William Friedkin Has Passed Away at Age 87

William Friedkin, a fine director of many diverse films that spanned several decades, died at the age of 87.

Not many people could make some truly great films alongside movies which angered the public more interestingly than director William Friedkin.

When Friedkin’s Ashley Judd/Michael Shannon-starrer, Bug, was released in 2006, people responded harshly. The “F” CinemaScore dared to show up when that movie was scored. But, it was a superbly made film with great acting.

When you think William Friedkin, though, you remember the original The Exorcist which was released in 1973 and is one of the most frightening movies of all-time. You also remember, the great Gene Hackman vehicle, The French Connection which won awards after its 1971 release. One of Friedkin’s best dramatic films was 2000’s courtroom drama, Rules of Engagement, which starred Tommy Lee Jones and Samuel L. Jackson. This movie was one of Friedkin’s more recent crowd-pleasers and scored an “A-” CinemaScore.

Jade from 1995 starred David Caruso and proved Friedkin could direct a bad movie. But, Friedkin did it with elegance. He did not miss out on giving the movie some distinct style (particularly the lighting and music choices) in that case whether the acting in it was up to par or not. That movie angered movie critics and audiences alike with its twisty and unbelievable story line, though.

It was ten years before that one with 1985’s To Live and Die in L.A. that won Friedkin some of the best rave reviews of his career. That movie starred William Petersen and Willem Dafoe and was a truly gritty crime picture. It was quite simply a masterpiece. It was the best of the best.

Recently, Stephen King named Friedkin’s 1977 film, Sorcerer, the director’s best work which is certainly arguable given the quality of Sorcerer. Some people think his earlier work is his best. The Boys and the Band, The French Connection and the original The Exorcist could all certainly seal the case for that particular argument. Friedkin’s later work like Killer Joe lacked the greatness of his previous films but Friedkin always made movies which were worth a watch. They were interesting.

In the case of 2006’s Bug, Friedkin’s ability to get the performances he got from Ashley Judd and Michael Shannon was amazing. That film was one of the most powerful demonstrations of true paranoia ever filmed. It may be one of Friedkin’s best though it cannot top The Exorcist which starred the great Linda Blair, Max von Sydow and Ellen Burstyn who will be in the reboot The Exorcist: Believer later this year.

Friedkin made forgettable films like The Hunted with Benicio Del Toro and Blue Chips with Nick Nolte, but The French Connection is a film which paved the way for fast paced action thrillers and will go down in history as, perhaps, his second most notable achievement. The Exorcist will most likely go down as his most prestigious motion picture and is a true horror movie classic that has stood the test of time. Friedkin was, quite simply, a legendary director who will be missed.

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