Join us at the Rio Theatre as we dim the lights, raise a glass, and tip our collective cinematic hats to one of the all-time great actors of his generation, Gene Hackman, with a screening of one of his most indelible performances in one of the greatest action films ever made, William Friedkin‘s THE FRENCH CONNECTION.

“It moves at magnificent speed, and exhausts itself in movement.” (New York Times)

“‘The French Connection’ is as amoral as its hero, as violent, as obsessed and as frightening.” (Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times)

“Gritty, downbeat and, in Hackman’s “Popeye” Doyle, fronted by one of the most unlikely heroes that cinema had seen, this was one of the great films of Hollywood’s most creatively uncompromising period.” (Times UK)

“If you want a dog-eared guide book, stuffed with authentic detail, to the work of the New York narcotics squad, this is your film. It certainly is mine. Every element coalesces into a hard bunch of excitement you can’t imagine better done.” (London Evening Standard)

“William Friedkin’s symphony of long, sharp shocks is memorable for any number of sequences.” (Time Out)

Saturday, April 5
Doors 7:30 pm | Movie 8:00 pm *Start time subject to change. Please arrive on time.
Tickets HERE

Monday, April 7
Doors 8:45 pm | Movie 9:15 pm *Start time subject to change. Please arrive on time.
Tickets HERE

THE FRENCH CONNECTION (William Friedkin, 1971 / 104 mins / 18A)  A pair of NYPD detectives in the Narcotics Bureau stumble onto a heroin smuggling ring based in Marseilles, but stopping them and capturing their leaders proves an elusive goal.

*Minors OK. Must be 19+ w/ID for bar service.
*Rio Theatre Groupons and passes OK for any single film only. Please redeem at the door.
*We recommend purchasing your tickets in advance at www.riotheatretickets.ca. If a screening or live event is not sold out, the remaining tickets will be available for in-person purchase at the Rio Theatre’s Box Office prior to showtime (subject to availability).
*Our box office is typically open 30 minutes before showtime. All seating is General Admission; please arrive 20-30 minutes prior to showtime to ensure great seats, and time for treats at concession.
*If you are looking to redeem either a Rio Theatre gift certificate or Groupon to any regular Rio Theatre screening: You can either email us in advance <[email protected]> and give us a “heads up,” or do it at the box office prior to showtime.

*All Rio Theatre tickets are final sale. No refunds or exchanges.