RIP Billy, one of the most important directors of all time imo, at least to me
Basically created action films with The French Connection, changed horror forever with The Exorcist, went deep into the world of gay NYC in the 70s for Cruising which is a truly fascinating watch these days, one made one of the most intense, physically gruelling thrillers with Sorcerer. i took my whole family to see Sorcerer in 35mm at the prince charles last year, it was incredible.
Saw it 15 years ago, and would like to revisit again as it left a powerful impression on me then. Obvious why at the time (even now) gay community would vilify it and not faulting that at all (think had to cut 30 minutes off original that was hit with NC-17 rating).
I saw it more as a portrayal of police brutality and excessive force through the unsuspecting eyes of the gay community. First scene in an of itself paints that picture for me.
The French Connection was on iPlayer recently so I watched it for the first time, didn’t know anything about it other than it was a famous film, fucking hell what an absolute blast of a movie, that’s the stuff right there.
never gone through his filmography but sorcerer was one of those catch it on the telly ‘what the fuck is this this is one of the best things ive ever seen’ sort of films.
really liked killer joe and mud, didnt realise they were his too.
