William Friedkin ‪Wins Best Directing | 44th Oscars (1972)

[@jacko250]

Bogdanovich, Friedkin, Jewison, Kubrick and Schlesinger, presented by Capra... Wow! You'd never get a line-up like that anymore.

[@bluecollarmenproductions]

that's not true look at the 2020 line up. Scorsese, Todd Phillips, Sam Mendes, Quintin Tarantino, and he's now known but then he was least known Bong Joon Ho

[@bluecollarmenproductions]

@Brupcat true I’m just saying we still have pretty insanely good line ups. Especially for 2019 in 2020 but I guess this comment was made 7 years ago

[@5litreho]

Don't Leave out Brian de Palma

[@jacko250]

@@5litreho don’t get me wrong legendary director, but he wasn’t nominated that year...

[@iansmith8263]

maybe cuz theyre all dead, idiot

[@LPJack02]

RIP William Friedkin (August 29, 1935 - August 7, 2023), aged 87 You will be remembered as a legend.

[@lynnturman8157]

The 70's was a gold standard period. Look at all the movies nominated for Best Picture between 1970 & 1979. 50 of the greatest movies ever made.

[@aliensoup2420]

The 70’s was a big transitional period for film in production method, directorial philosophy, and technology.

[@luzvasquez903]

Yeah

[@zachmorley158]

The “New Hollywood”. What a hell of a time. We are in need of another.

[@ChubbyChecker182]

The 2010s had Green Book 😁

[@yvonneplant9434]

Rocky! The little movie that probably surprised a lor of people!!!

[@jesseburleson432]

William Friedkin is a badass. He's a fucking brilliant director. Dude should have won for The Exorcist too.

[@danielvanness6936]

Sorcerer was mistitled and misreleased; It deserves more recognition. Friedkin, Scheider and a score by Tangerine Dream.

[@tekharthazenyatta2310]

I met Friedkin at one of those meet-the-director events in which a new print of "Sorcerer" was shown. He was very personable and happy to chat with fans of his work. He's a cool guy now, just as he appeared to be when he won an Academy Award right out of the gate. His acceptance speech was a prototype for how it should be done: succinct, grateful, and very generous toward his colleagues.

[@intensivecareunitpee5838]

new print where? in what manner?

[@tekharthazenyatta2310]

@@intensivecareunitpee5838 This was many years ago when Friedkin was promoting his memoir "The Friedkin Connection." So it must've been around 2013. It was a showing at The Brooklyn Academy of Music. You can probably find the post-viewing discussion with Friedkin on KZbin somewhere.

[@tekharthazenyatta2310]

@@intensivecareunitpee5838 By "new" I meant about 10 years ago when he showed up at the Brooklyn Academy of Music on 05/02/2013 for a screening of Sorcerer. If you do a Google search you can find a transcript of his talk after the showing, and on KZbin you can find at least a highlight or two. At that particular time, Sorcerer wasn't even out on Blu Ray due to confusion over who even owned the rights to the film. Friedkin had to pursue litigation to get the matter resolved.

[@Alprazolam08]

He should have won another Oscar for directing a masterpiece from my childhood favorite movies: "To Live and Die in LA"

[@dzanier]

that was a great film.

[@jennifersman7990]

Yes, very underrated film. A west coast French Connection

[@ashleyjudecollie]

What about a classic horror, The Exorcist?!

[@Quantum3695]

I love To Live And Die In LA. The soundtrack by Wang Chung was just as spectacular.

[@rishdog100]

What a film.. 💯

[@bassliveevil]

Friedkin said in his autobiography that he almost missed the ceremony due to the limo breaking down, and they got a ride.

[@johnyzero2000]

Holy hell Natalie Wood looks so pretty here and her dress is timeless!!!!

[@JoeBlow-jm1bz]

Dude she got murdered. Please show a little respect

[@hardsam68]

the oscars were so classy back then, love the HUGE bow ties on the men

[@absoluteacw]

Yes.

[@michaelgonzalez1042]

R.I.P. William Friedkin, please spread some love and heartfelt condolences to his family. The Oscar winner behind The French Connection and The Exorcist was one of the most admired directors to emerge from a wave of brilliant filmmakers who made their mark in the 1970s.

[@razvedka9979]

RIP Crazy Billy. I will miss you deeply. We love you ❤

[@ChrisWolff2013]

Jack Lemmon, Frank Capra and Natalie Wood in one video. It's like a late birthday present to me come to life.

[@eileen1820]

Happy Birthday, Buddy! 🎂

[@jimhaggard7436]

Natalie Wood was so gorgeous. I love her long hair. She was so respectful toward Frank Capra. When she read the last two names, she had already planned to let him read the winner’s name. He just thought she got carried away, but was willing to let her read the winner’s name as well.

[@enricovankeeken1624]

@@jimhaggard7436 *!Her dress..X*

[@Italy55]

God, Natalie Wood was so beautiful.

[@sharoninglima1217]

Rest In Peace William Friedkin. An iconic Director…immensely talented. Love, prayers to your friends/family & fans! 🙏♥️🙏♥️🙏♥️

[@MrCarpen7er]

William Friedkin is my second favorite movie director ever. What a talent. Brilliant man in every way !

[@jprincered]

Rest in Peace William Friedkin. August 7, 2023

[@BadTaste82]

A true Legend. One of the best storyteller and director of all time. I saw him once, he introduced his masterpiece, To Live and Die in L.A., he was sweet, patient, fascinating. R.I.P. I’m so sad…

[@The90slim90]

It's a shame that Kubrick never won best picture or directing.

[@lisanealy1703]

Kubrick abused and demeaned the actors that worked for him. Worst Kubrick victim-- Shelly Duvall.

[@alexferguson9899]

But he won best visual for 2001 Space Odesey

[@alexferguson9899]

@Brupcat yes i know that, but finally he ever won an Oscar for Best Visual Effect. And he must won an Oscar before he died

[@RichardJAcostaB]

@@alexferguson9899 The worst part is that he didn't deserve the Oscar for visual effects, the rules for that category weren't the same at that time, so to avoid any troubles Kubrick signed as the visual effects director despite the fact that other guys were the masters behind those revolutionary effects.

[@mandolindleyroadshow706]

Kubrick should have won in 1968 for 2001. He lost to Carol Reed who directed the musical "Oliver!" Carol Reed, in turn, should have won for The Third Man in 1948. It never ends.

[@rickram1961]

Natalie Wood was and still is a Time Less Beauty!

[@lynnturman8157]

And Frank Capra is one of the great directors also.

[@blinkzone1]

That was a very good speech William Friedkin. Quick and to the point.

[@warriormanmaxx8991]

re: "William Friedkin Quick to the point." I admire the quick jump up & race to the stage, rather than a "kissy/huggie" routine to show the world ... "how lovable I am." Deservedly Won !! What A Movie !!

[@benuitgekeken8328]

*th4ts him...one of my 4LL time f4vorite movie Heroes..X*

[@TheFunkybert]

He’s as true now as he was back then

[@saptarshiray7474]

The French connection was a violent but brilliant movie.

[@jacobdominguez7808]

Man..what a year for movies. Every single one of those movies are legends even today. Friedkin won the Oscar, but every one of them was a winner that year.

[@iansmith8263]

erm, no, only French Connection was the winner, the rest of them were outdone by Forrest Gump

[@lk9697]

He deserved it for The Exorcist too, him not winning for that film is tragic..

[@zakharrison1244]

It’s because a few other directors were heavily offended by the exorcist, look it up it's really sad.

[@ezequiellasca3430]

And for To Live and Die in LA and Sorcerer and many other overlooked masterpieces

[@spudwas]

Sorry Bud...American Graffiti directed by George Lucas was my choice that year.

[@TheIndependentLens]

I agree. I love "The French Connection," but if there was any film William Friedkin directed that he deserved the Oscar for it was "The Exorcist." "The Exorcist" should've won Best Picture too.

[@TheIndependentLens]

@@spudwas What? No way.

[@angelacarleton9575]

Jack Lemon is so wonderful - he is the best of all the actors I've seen because he can play in comedy and serious roles too.

[@thejackedupreviewshow6924]

He kept it all so very simple as opposed to droning on about people he forgot to thank like the average award winner does.

[@hengulbarua5256]

It's August 29, 2020...William Friedkin turns 85 today. Happy Birthday legend. 🎂

[@9qats622]

RIP William Great Director.

[@jwelch5742]

The French Connection has great directing.

[@disconnected22]

She was lovely....

[@sm70911]

Frank Capra and Natalie Wood to resent your academy award - amazing. Billy was a legend - his work gets better and better.

[@vivianberk5298]

Short, to the point, and brimming with confidence. Traits I noted when I met William Friedkin at a signing in 2017.

[@drstrangelove6558]

I DID NOT EXPECT TO SEE MR. CAPRA HERE!!!!! Im happy to see how he looks when he gets old!:) One of the greatest Movies directors ever!!!!!!!!

[@jawoody9745]

WOW!! I love you Natalie Wood!! You were so gorgeous!! You left us way too soon!!

[@Tlamourep03]

Friedkin is a legend

[@bikefixer]

Friedkin didn't just beat Kubrick. That's a gold standard of great directing in that nomination. Bogdanovich, Jewison and Schlesinger (winner for MIDNIGHT COWBOY), are all superb filmmakers. THE FRENCH CONNECTION did proud that night.

[@liamreddy8366]

justcan award means nothing really

[@massi6528]

My regards to you both after 11 years/days! This particular year is one I must agree with the Oscars!

[@bikefixer]

@@liamreddy8366 Friedkin would disagree. He was very proud of his Oscar.

[@liamreddy8366]

Did he tell you that mate ?

[@bikefixer]

@@liamreddy8366 He says it quite succinctly in his autobiography, "The Friedkin Connection."

[@hallson2917]

R.I.P Jack Lemmon and William Friedkin

[@misterpowers5234]

RIP Legend🙏🕊

[@killbot_factory]

36 years old with one masterpiece under his belt and quite a few more to come

[@eoinMB3949]

I dont know what it is but this just made me leap for joy. Friedkin is such a character, I mean look how quick he is getting to the stage! And he's either ridiculously tall or frank capra and natalie wood are very short.

[@36indiancreek]

OMG, William and Peter, they was very young and handsome, especially Friedkin.

[@theophicen7850]

Natalie Wood, Lord almighty what a beauty!

[@josegilmarluizdossantos1517]

Natalie Wood is so beautiful and graciously. She's so gorgeous!

[@robertnegron9706]

Friedkins style of directing was eye opening. No nonsense ,but had a good crew and ACTOR’S. And great cameramen. One who actually filmed Castro and his revolution prior.

[@7beers]

Very gracious acceptance speech.

[@iansmith8263]

yeah but inside he think it's all down to him; people are too scared to be seen as arrogant

[@GavinJ37]

The speed in which friedkin got up on stage was staggering. Incidentally...where were kubrick and schlesinger that night?

[@DomSaget]

+GavinJ37 Friedkin ran too imitate Frank Sinatra who did something alike when he won.

[@danbam3411]

Bro Vado correct. Kubrick was never a fan of the Hollywood culture and the USA cinema industry in general.

[@jeffbertucen1839]

Also Kubrick was terrified of flying and spent the evening at home in England

[@jackprescott9652]

They were both in England. Kubrik was afraid to fly and Schlesinger has already won an Oscar a couple of years prior, so i asume he thought it was almost impossible to win another that year.

[@pam0626]

Sweet Natalie, we miss you.

[@drstrangelove6558]

we miss capra

[@tanwoody]

Natalie looks absolutely stunning.

[@DavidVanP]

She is sooooooooo GORGEOUS!!!!!

[@StooGP]

Friedkin thanks everyone but the man who did the music soundtrack, music that the orchestra here in this clip is playing when he comes on stage to get the Oscar, the late Don Ellis, the jazz trumpeter, composer, producer and orchestra leader, who remains criminally unknown and remains one of the greatest American figures in music history.

[@brianchristen3256]

R.I.P William Friedkin. 🥀 07.08.2023

[@aaronh8179]

Coincidentally I saw “Killer Joe” unrated (NC-17) edition on Blu-ray Disc on interlibrary loan last weekend. Well directed and uncomfortably tense toward the ending. RIP great filmmaker.

[@kungfuwhip78]

Rest in Peace William Friedkin 😢

[@ggtjr4]

An acceptance speech that short and without any moral parading. Love me some Billy Friedkin

[@StabbyRocketJoe]

How did Billy Friedkin not win for The Exorcist?! It's his Sistine Chapel, his obra maestra.

[@moviesgalore9947]

Natalie is still the most beautiful actress in Hollywood history..

[@hunterolaughlin]

Came here to pay my respects to William Friedkin following his recent passing. Congratulations on your Oscar win for Best Director on The French Connection and if you could have won again at the 1973 Oscars for The Exorcist, it would’ve been a great victory winning Best Director twice. But I’m still glad you got your Oscar nonetheless. May you rest in peace. 🙏❤️

[@gavin2761]

R.I.P. William Friedkin.

[@jarrettandfilm]

RIP maestro To think that all four legends who appeared in this video have passed on makes me sad

[@hunterolaughlin]

Norman Jewison is the only one left.

[@ferabra8939]

Friedkin should have won a couple of years later for The Exorcist. This year should have been Kubrick's Clockwork Orange, a total classic.

[@ferabra8939]

myautomobilefunk Who? they give a shit.

[@ferabra8939]

myautomobilefunk I agree it's mostly for commercial purposes and frankly I lost a lot of respect for the awards over the years . But, and it's a big but, even if they're for commercial purposes, directors who want their films to be seen by as many people as possible would be morons to not give shit. i can imagine Jodorowsky or Cassavetes not giving a shit because they never pandered to the masses. But Kubrick did, Welles did, Hitchcock did, Friedkin did...Friedkin accepted his Oscar for The French Connection and would no doubt have accepted another for the Exorcist. So don't fool yourself or try to fool others. Don't put in the indie bag all the directors, actors or actresses who never got an Oscar, because that's bullshit.

[@ferabra8939]

myautomobilefunk Woody Allen actually campaigned for the Annie Hall's Oscar. Not his, Diane Keaton's. Friedkin won an Oscar in 1972, and because he was hot he was chosen to direct The Exorcist, which made him a billionaire, so after that he can give a fuck all he wants. Surely he didn't give a fuck before. Hitchcock accepted his lifetime achievement award. He was a guarded individual but was the perfect example of a director who was into commercial mainstream successs, and would have loved an Oscar if only for that reason. He wasn't inmune to praise either. When the nouvelle vague directors began to consider him their hero he was very pleased, and gave Truffaut the famous interview describing his techniques. He was actually hurt because Hollywood only considered him a craftsman and never anknowledged him as the master he was. Welles spent half his life kissing ass to get his movies financed, only to be disdainfully rejected time and time again. No wonder an academy award was the least of his expectations. Guess what? he would have accepted any finance from Hollywood, let alone an award that would icnrease his commercial pull. Coppola, again, another independent who formed Zoetrope and wanted to do personal films. He didn't exactly reject all the Oscars for the Godfather, even though he considered the movies as a mere job. So, again, stop living in your renegade director fantasy. It might be true in a few cases, but most of them do give a shit about Oscars. Period.

[@ferabra8939]

myautomobilefunk You know what? fuck you, I didn't read yours, go troll somewhere else, moron.

[@drstrangelove6558]

+Fer Abra Only beacuse you called it `a total Classic´ does not means the directing was as much great as the masterpiece film itself

[@muppetshowman1972]

Nathalie wood,capra,friedkin.....magic!!!!

[@americangirl6587]

Yes, those were the days...

[@bahcsas]

Oh man, I love the Seventies.

[@oneAndyHicks]

It's no surprise why we loved this guy so much. Nobody talks about film so eloquently and passionately as Friedkin did. He directed two of the greatest films of the 70's in the rise of the new Hollywood movement, and extremely influential young figure in those times. He had incredible taste and wasn't afraid to speak his mind. One of the greatest people in the industry. R.I.P the legend.

[@seanstadler6377]

Great that he has an Oscar, but imo he should have won for The Exorcist.

[@hunterolaughlin]

Could’ve won Best Director for both films.

[@artlover4668]

Man what a beauty!!! Capra was blubbering over himself......and I would have too!!!!

[@mannyespinola]

Wow, that was vintage Oscar year.

[@1234526610]

I love how Friedkin and Bogdanovich were juxtaposed.

[@ChopinIsMyBestFriend]

that’s insane that he beat A Clockwork Orange. I guess it wasn’t as understood when it first came out. Two amazing movies. It would be hard for me to choose.

[@amyh3873]

Kubrick productions were the artistic equivalent of a picaso. Or the musical equivalent of the velvet underground, Initially panned by critics because they weren't well understood by the lay person. No suprise the French connection won with its broader appeal. The last picture show ,the french connection and clockwork are masterpieces

[@ELHIPPO]

​@@amyh3873 dirty harry too

[@lukhasfilms6815]

Rest in peace William friedkin 🙌🏻

[@RBerube76]

Frank Capra is a legend!

[@fanssolperez3430]

William Friedkin was, simply put, a legend. His technical prowess, mastery of tone and commitment to storytelling were unparalleled. And so was his willingness to push the boundaries of what was acceptable. It wasn’t that he was merely challenging good taste; it was that he wanted to go beyond what had come before. And sometimes that made people very uncomfortable. Friedkin’s career is largely defined by this kind of artful provocation, and it makes his passing - especially in the current age of pre-packaged, vacuum-sealed mass entertainment - all the more devastating. We didn’t just lose one of the greatest filmmakers of his generation; we lost an outspoken advocate for the kind of movies they just don’t make anymore. Thankfully, Friedkin .

[@timkjazz]

Natalie Wood was astoundingly gorgeous.

[@singingindark12]

This was the nomination of insanity.. all the nominees were great that yr.. none of these directors wouldve been blamed for being awarded.. Bogdanovic, Friedkin, Jewison, Kubrick, and Schlesinger and their films.. just wow.. and look at the beautiful presenters Natalie Wood and another legendary film director Frank Capra..

[@fanorama1]

Wood.. forever gorgeous.

[@dzanier]

The film is a fantastic film, but that car chase scene is RIVETING. It deserved the Oscar, as you said.

[@flixsymmetry]

Wow what a lineup of nominees! Truly a rare year.

[@mattgeiger7638]

Anyone wanna acknowledge that Bogdanovich and Friedkin are basically twins?

[@Zecamilleo]

Friedkin is a master.

[@ManCave1972]

Natalie Wood was a class act.

[@1986SSMONTECARLO]

All of Williams' movies are Friedkin GREAT!!!

[@fanorama1]

The Last Picture Show vs The French Connection.. what a difficult choice.

[@Whoa802]

A Clockwork Orange takes it.

[@davidellis5141]

My favorite Director !

[@reving19]

Also, love the "hippie" version of Natalie.

[@iansmith8263]

i prefer the version with her legs in the air and my face in between them

[@paulapisanoochoa590]

Rest In Peace William Friedkin

[@zachhaywood1564]

Sorcerer is another great Friedkin movie that is sadly overlooked.

[@seanahmed9079]

Will Friedkin is one of the all time greats!! How much guts must you have to have directed Cruising back in those days!!

[@javieralonso3871]

rip Friedkin, deserved an oscar for French connection

[@zibbyzubb]

When Hollywood was still magical and had class.

[@isuriadireja91]

Truly a deserving win. RIP

[@anthonyjohnson8672]

wish natalie would have been around for so much longer

[@moviesgalore9947]

He really deserved it for The Exorcist but they had no way of knowing in 1972 that his next movie would be his best movie.

[@PierluigiPuccini]

Kubrick is Kubrick, I know, but Friedkin is a damn good director too.

[@edwardhitten2678]

A discreet genius.

[@odyserfer]

i couldnt agree more with you. It is thanks to directors like Kubrick and Capra and Coppola and some many others from the new Hollywood that the oscars are still prestigious. And dont forget that William Friedkin is the director of the " Exorcist"........

[@ledepi34]

The awards to French Connection for best picture, best actor, best adapted screenplay and best film editing were really deserved. The best director that year was truely the amazing Stanley Kubrick for his extraordinary work in A Clockwork Orange.

[@stevedevizor5587]

no one comes close to Kubrick

[@BadTaste82]

Maybe Chaplin or Hitchcock… maybe…

[@Glinkaism1]

He is so right about acknowledging Philip D'Antoni. He had the hardest job of all.

[@edkfilms]

check out SORCERER William Friedkin behind-the-scenes / Super 8 1977

[@juicyi3ig]

Where?.. Got it. Sincere Thanks for mentioning.

[@jackprescott9652]

Natalie Wood was gorgeous!

[@justaregulardude895]

1971 was a loaded year. Friedkin beat Kubrick and Bogdonavich, who both created arguably their best work that year. Crazy.

[@vistaestrada]

Natalie Wood! Why weren't you in more movies at this time?

[@36indiancreek]

Because Natalie Wood died in 1981.

[@ChrisWolff2013]

She was in semi-retirement, just remarried Robert Wagner and gave birth to her first daughter Natasha.

[@7beers]

Clockwork Orange, French Connection, Last Picture Show, Fiddler. All classics. (Never saw the fifth.) In my opinion, any choice would have been acceptable.