The Connection

Director: Shirley Clarke Shirley Clarke

Overview

A group on heroin addicts wax philosophically about life and death while waiting for their dealer to arrive. Film is an open look at the drug subculture and value system from an off Broadway play by Jack Gelber. Shown out of competition at the Cannes Film Festival, it was nominated for the International Film Critic's award.

Product Details

Release Date:	02/24/2015
UPC:	0784148014043
Original Release:	1961
Source:	Milestone Video
Presentation:	[B&W]
Sound:	[Dolby Digital Stereo]
Language:	English

Special Features

The Connection home movies (b&w, 6 mins.); A conversation with Albert Brenner by Ross Lipman (4 mins.); Connecting with Freddie Redd (27 mins); The Connection-behind the scenes photo gallery; The Connection trailer; Carl and Max at the Chelsea (color home movie. 4 mins.); 1959 radio interview (29 mins.); Two 1964 marketing songs: "Who Killed Cock Robin" and "I'm In Love

Cast & Crew

Performance Credits

William Redfield	Jim Dunn
Warren Finnerty	Leach
Garry Goodrow	Ernie
Carl Lee	Cowboy
Jerome Raphel	Solly
James Anderson	Sam
Barbara Winchester	Sister Salvation
Roscoe Lee Browne	J.J. Burden
Henry Proach	Harry
Freddie Redd	Piano,Composer
Jackie McLean	Alto Sax
Robert Blake	Actor
Michael Mattos	Bass
Larry Ritchie	Drums
Giorgia Moll	Francesca Vanini
Linda Veras	Siren

Technical Credits

Lewis Allen	Producer
Shirley Clarke	Producer,Director

Editorial Reviews

The Connection is an unforgettable cinematic experience. It will not by any means be to everyone's taste, but those who are able to appreciate its riches will find it a treasure. Certainly, there's plenty here for a viewer to legitimately criticize, starting with the disturbing subject matter, which many may take to be an endorsement of drug abuse. The fact that Connection resolutely stays rooted in one location will also cause discomfort, and with good cause; yet director Shirley Clarke demonstrates a remarkable facility for finding ways to get her camera moving. True, the film is often many long, long takes, some of them quite static; but these do have a mesmerizing quality to them, and she does find opportunity to alleviate this situation much more often than might be supposed. For those with stick with her, Clarke makes a tough, gut wrenching, yet often funny, humane and at times even beautiful film. It's also a social critique -- of cinema verite movie making, of the drug culture, of racial relations, of poverty conditions, of myths and dreams, and of so much more. One watches Connection with a mixture of distaste and awe, but if a viewer gives himself over to it wholeheartedly, it becomes impossible to pull away. For those unable to make this commitment, Connection also offers a brief jam session featuring excellent work from Freddie Redd and Jackie McLean.