Why the 1972 Oscars remains one of the the best ever

To begin with, the 44th Academy Awards recognized some of the greatest films in cinema history.   The French Connection dominated the night, taking home five Oscars, including Best Picture, Best Director for William Friedkin, and Best Actor forwho starred as the New York City Police Detective Jimmy “Popeye” Doyle.

The film’s gritty realism and intense car chases set a new standard for thrillers, and its success at the Oscars cemented its place in movie history. It was a real movie with real actors and a really good story – something missing nowadays.

”The film was totally different than anything I’d ever done. I’d never shot that much outside, and especially in the wintertime and especially in those conditions where we were just at it all the time. And I don’t think I’d ever been pushed as much by a director either, which was really good for me,” Gene Hackman  said

Gene Hackman was so shocked to win the award that he couldn’t even remember getting up from his seat and making his way to the podium. On the stage, the actor expressed his gratitude to his first drama coach and his mother, but soon he was overwhelmed with emotion.

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