‘The French Connection’ has been censored and fans are furious
nme.comThe French Connection have taken to social media to express their anger at a scene from the film being censored without warning.Those familiar with William Friedkin’s 1971 drama, which can currently be streamed via the Criterion Channel, were surprised when a new edit approximately ten minutes into the film appeared.The scene in question involves a conversation between characters “Popeye” Doyle (Gene Hackman) and Buddy “Cloudy” Russo (Roy Scheider) and a racial slur is uttered.The sequence has been removed without a trace from the film, with the edited version cutting to the pair’s conversation mid-way through.Disney, who owns the rights to the film following its takeover of Fox in 2019, have been accused of censoring the scene in the US.
On Disney+ in the UK and Canada, the film remains unedited.NME has reached out to representatives of Disney and the Criterion Channel for comment.Fans online are unhappy at the news.
Joseph Wade, founder of The Film Magazine said “they have vandalised a piece of art. This is corporate vandalism no matter how said corporation spins the language,” while another fan called it “shameful”.You can see some more of the responses here:Disney Censor 'The French Connection' (1971)In cases such as this, "Censor" takes the place of "Vandalise".They have vandalised a piece of art.
This is corporate vandalism no matter how said corporation spins the language. pic.twitter.com/yxl1o2RsMU— Joseph Wade (@JoeTFM) June 7, 2023The censorship of The French Connection is shameful if true.
Read more on nme.com