Yes. Best of all, he knew when to be humble at times when many Hollywood figures today do not. Friedkin said on many occasions that neither his name nor any of his films belong in the same sentence as “Citizen Kane.”
Friedkin is such a great ambassador for film, right up there with Scorsese. In this particular interview, he is getting forgetful and may not be as sharp as he is in other extended interviews, but the interviewer and crowd are respectful and admiring, as they should be. Thanks for the upload.
William Friedkin died on my 48th birthday 07/08/2023 😢 Cruising was one of the only films of his I had never seen, I have now amended that and it's another unique film only he could make. RIP you will be missed
Thanks for uploading this. Friedkin is one of the most brilliant and important people in the history of cinema (obviously), but I would say creative arts in general. At age 86 he was still the sharpest guy in the room. RIP.
It was hard seeing William Friedkin like this. For most of his life he looked good for his age. It wasn’t until recently I realized that he was funny as fuck. I like that he was talking shit until the end. When he said your when you’re legs get that bad you don’t go out much I got flat feet so when I get older my legs are going to go so that’s part got me
Fascinating that he has a print of his original cut, some 40 minutes longer. Beyond Fest need to take up his invitation and screen his print! The movie's a time capsule of New York gay life, pre-AIDS - and it'd be fascinating to see any extra footage! (I gather that's what comprises most of the excised material.)
@@ChuckPenn3 This would be very unpleasant because I think that there’s nothing I can think of other than “Cruising” - director’s cut . If he has it, can we start an online petition to force Friedkin to release it ? It would be awesome
That fact the you think that Cruising is an accurate representation of the lives of average gay men in NYC pre-AIDS is exactly why the gay community protested this film. Old Billy boy definitely gave a whole hell of a lot homophobes a BS reason to keep the gay bashing going.
You're probably here for the bit at 21:55 where Friedkin explains the appearance of the huge black man wearing a jockstrap and cowboy hat during the interrogation scene.
The French Connection is probably my favorite Friedkin film. I've never seen Cruising. Gotta find! Pacino on his shit list. lol He's such a straight shooter. Love that in him!
The Blu-ray is the director’s cut. The extra footage was cut for a reason, some of it even shot specifically to be cut as part of the MPAA negotiation to get an R.
Hmmm. He actually spoke of reviewers who were previously favorable to him prior to Sorcerer, so maybe not so forthright. There were huge reviews that were negative that HE referenced in his book
I have actually watched every one of his theatrically released films, and this is how I’d rank them from worst to best: 19. *Deal of the Century* The director has never spoken of this film in his book or in any interview. For good reason. 18. *The Night They Raided Minsky’s* A movie depicting the back stage interactions at a burlesque repertory? “Yes, please!”, said nobody ever. 17. *Good Times* Everyone starts somewhere. 16. *The Guardian* Critic Roger Ebert in his review pointed out that this is the first horror film in history where a chainsaw is used to attack a tree. 15. *The Brink’s Job* This crime caper comedy drama is a curiously unambitious step back for the director considering the film he did before this one. 14. *Bug* A psychological horror film that should have grabbed me but didn’t. 13. *Blue Chips* I like a great sports movie, but this not one of them. Nick Nolte is however is very fun to watch in the role of a college basketball coach. 12. *The Birthday Party* A filmed play, basically. I think I liked this better than Friedkin did. And it’s always a joy to watch Robert Shaw’s acting chops. 11. *Jade* More or less a total rehash of Basic Instinct (which Joe Eszterhas also penned), albeit an entertaining one. But the movie is far from Friedkin’s best work (contrary to what he claimed otherwise). 10. *Rules of Engagement* Tommy Lee Jones and Samuel L. Jackson are always a treat to watch in this very competently made courtroom drama. But long gone is the Hurricane Billy era. 9. *The Boys in the Band* Another filmed play. Not very cinematic, but this is an extremely well-acted relationship drama that ushered in the Queer Cinema subgenre. Highly recommended. 8. *The Hunted* If you liked the source novel to First Blood better than the classic Stallone film, you should check this adventure thriller out. 7. *Rampage* This hidden gem was shelved for five years before getting a theater release in 1992. Not without some flaws, it does feature one memorable jump scare-and the movie is a legal drama! 6. *Killer Joe* Though not quite a return to form as far as edge goes. this is the best film he’s done in many years. 5. *Sorcerer* Often cited as one of the last intellectual films that typified the “New Hollywood” of the 1970s. Not quite a masterpiece, but absolutely a must watch. This would be the first in a string of flops that the director never quite recovered from. 4. *To Live and Die in L.A.* The last film great film by this legendary director, it feels like The French Connection hopped up on 1980s coke! And whatta car chase! 3. *Cruising* I don’t care what anyone says, this is one fearless and edgy crime thriller, and it’s all the better for it. Classic Friedkin nastiness. 2. *The French Connection* Nothing more needs to be said about this film, except to say that if you haven’t seen it, you are not a true cinephile. 1. *The Exorcist* The greatest horror film ever made. Period. Full stop.
He's directing a new movie, so his health must be decent enough. At least we will always have literally days worth of all the speeches, interviews and q+a's he has done over the years. A fantastic and engaging speaker.
