For Immediate Release

FOX HONORS AN ACADEMY AWARD WINNING FILM WITH A WORLD-CLASS DVD
FEATURING FOUR HOURS OF EXCLUSIVE EXTRAS

THE FRENCH CONNECTION

Arriving On September 25 For $26.98, Two-Disc DVD Includes
The New Documentary, "Making The Connection: Untold Stories Of The French Connection"
Slated To Premiere On Fox Movie Channel In September

Also Available In A Two-Pack Gift Set On DVD And VHS,
Which Includes The French Connection 2

CENTURY CITY, Calif., (July 9, 2001) -- Celebrating the 30th anniversary of one of Hollywood's most critically acclaimed, groundbreaking action features, The French Connection, Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment (TCFHE) debuts a Five Star Collection, two-disc DVD on September 25 for $26.98. A five-time Oscar" winner, including Best Picture, Best Actor (Gene Hackman) and Best Director (William Friedkin), The French Connection DVD features more than four hours of extras and will be available on its own, or as part of The French Connection DVD Collection, which includes The French Connection 2, for the first time ever on DVD. The three-disc box set is priced at $39.98. VHS fans can get in on the action too, as Fox will also release a brand-new The French Connection 30th Anniversary Special Edition VHS, priced at only $9.98 and featuring seven deleted scenes never before available on VHS. Pre-order date for all titles is August 29.

TCFHE will team up with Fox Movie Channel to co-promote the DVD and home video release of The French Connection. Set to debut in September, Fox Movie Channel will broadcast a newly remastered print of the film and a new documentary entitled "Making the Connection: Untold Stories Of The French Connection," which is also featured on the DVD. Additionally, Fox Movie Channel and TCFHE will support The French Connection with a theatrical-style launch event, also slated for September.

The French Connection DVD features "Making The Connection: Untold Stories Of The French Connection" and a new deleted scenes documentary hosted by Director William Friedkin, in addition to the BBC documentary "Poughkeepsie Shuffle." The DVD also boasts commentary tracks by Friedkin, as well as Hackman and Roy Scheider, a behind-the-scenes still gallery, and the original theatrical trailer.
Also available from TCFHE, The French Connection Collection on VHS, including the 30th Anniversary Special Edition and The French Connection 2, which will retail for $17.98

Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment will support the release of The French Connection Five Star Collection DVD; The French Connection DVD Collection, The French Connection 30th Anniversary Edition and The French Connection VHS Collection with a multi-million dollar advertising, publicity, and promotional campaign. The extensive advertising will encompass trade, sports, general interest and entertainment publications as well as national television and online campaigns. In addition, Fox will extend to consumers a "Buy 4, Get 1 Free" DVD mail-in offer.
Fox's "Five Star Collection"

Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment's recognized, industry leading "Five Star Collection" is a select line of extraordinary DVD releases featuring special presentations of some of the studio's most acclaimed and noteworthy films. Each "Five Star Collection" release is laden with extras that take full advantage of the robust DVD format. Only a limited number of motion pictures from Fox's vast library will be added to this collection annually. Other available "Five Star Collection" titles are Independence Day, The Sound of Music, Cleopatra, and Die Hard.

The French Connection "Five-Star" Collection DVD

The two-disc, Five Star Collection The French Connection THX®-approved DVD is presented in an all-new Director-supervised 5.1 English Digital Surround and 2:35:1 aspect ratio. Disc one features commentary by Director William Friedkin, Gene Hackman and Roy Scheider, as well as the theatrical trailer. Disc two includes the Fox Movie Channel original program, "Making the Connection: Untold Stories Of The French Connection," the BBC documentary "Poughkeepsie Shuffle," seven deleted scenes; a deleted scenes documentary hosted by William Friedkin; a behind-the-scenes still gallery; a trailer for The French Connection in English and Portuguese; and a trailer for The French Connection 2.

The French Connection 2 DVD

The French Connection 2 THX®-approved DVD is presented in 2:35:1 aspect ratio, and includes two commentary tracks by Director John Frankenheimer and Gene Hackman and Producer Robert Rosen, a gallery with wardrobe and storyboards, behind-the-scenes gallery, English theatrical trailer, Spanish theatrical trailer and Portuguese theatrical trailer.

The French Connection Synopsis

Two narcotics detectives, "Popeye" Doyle (Gene Hackman) and his partner Buddy Russo (Roy Scheider) start to close in on a vast international narcotics ring when the smugglers unexpectedly strike back. Following an attempt on his life by one of the smugglers, Doyle sets off a deadly pursuit that ultimately takes him far beyond mere New York City limits. Based on a true story, this action-filled thriller, with its renowned chase scene, won five Academy" Awards, including Best Picture, Bet Director, and Best Actor for Gene Hackman.

The French Connection 2 Synopsis

John Frankenheimer's distinctive sequel to the Academy Award"-winning The French Connection is a searing look at ruthless dope dealers, driven cops and the powerful drug that joins them in a life-and-death struggle. Gene Hackman repeats his Oscar"-winning role as "Popeye" Doyle, New York detective determined to put an end to the French Connection drug ring. Doyle trails the elusive Charnier (Fernando Rey) to Marseilles where he is kidnapped by the kingpin's henchmen and ironically turned into a captive junkie. Upon his release, Doyle kicks his habit with the help of his rival French counterpart (Bernard Fresson) and together they set out to trap their common enemy.

The French Connection
"Five-Star" DVD Price: $26.98 U.S./$37.98 Canada
Collection Box Set DVD $39.98 U.S./$49.98 Canada
30th Anniversary Edition VHS Price: $9.98 U.S./$11.98 Canada
Collection Box Set VHS Price: $17.98 U.S./$20.98 Canada
Street Date: September 25, 2001
DVD/VHS Pre-Book Date: August 29, 2001
French Connection Feature Running Time: 104 minutes
French Connection 2 Feature Running Time: 119 minutes
"Five-Star" DVD Catalog Number: 2002065
Collection Box Set DVD Catalog Number: 2002068
30th Anniversary Edition VHS Catalog Number: 2002253
Collection Box Set VHS Catalog Number: 2002255
U.S. Rating (all): R
Canadian Rating (all): 18A
Closed Captioned (all): Yes

Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment, along with Twentieth Century Fox Licensing and Merchandising comprise the retail-oriented strategic alliance of Fox Consumer Products (FCP). FCP is dedicated to being a forward-thinking, one-stop shopping source for all entertainment products related to Fox film and television properties. Fox Consumer Products is a unit of Fox Filmed Entertainment, a Fox Entertainment Group Company, a News Corporation company. Visit Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment at www.foxhome.com.

End Of Release

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