Acclaimed movie director William Friedkin passed away this week at the age of 87.
After being raised in a humble Chicago family and graduating high school, Friedkin earned a job in the mailroom at local television station WGN. From there, he would work his way up to director.
He started being recognised for his work in documentaries, in particular The People Vs. Paul Crump, the story of a death row inmate which actually saw the inmate in question gain clemency. Friedkin would transition into fiction, directing episodes of The Alfred Hitchcock Hour.
It was the 1971 release of iconic action thriller, The French Connection, that truly put Friedkin on the map. But, the best was yet to come, as in 1973 he directed what many consider to be the most influential horror movie of all time, The Exorcist.
Friedkin passed away from heart failure and pneumonia at his home in Los Angeles on 8 August 2023.
Within our MovieMeter community, there are naturally various Friedkin movies that have received hugely positive responses.
By subscribing to become a member of the MovieMeter community HERE, you can rate all of your favourite movies - and some of your least favourite ones.
Perhaps surprisingly, Friedkin's best movie, according to our community, is not The Exorcist but rather 1977's Sorcerer. His most recent movie to take our list is Killer Joe, while there is space for the remake of 12 Angry Men.
Best William Friedkin movies
1.
Sorcerer (1977)
When a fire breaks out at a remote oil derrick, a group of outcasts gets the chance to earn enough money to escape their poverty-stricken existence. This is due to a dangerous job, in which they have to transport two crates of unstable dynamite through kilometers of jungle, in old trucks. Remake of the French film "Le Salaire de la Peur" (1953).
Directed by: William Friedkin
Stars:
Roy Scheider, Bruno Cremer and Francisco Rabal
2.
The Exorcist (1973)
During excavations in northern Iraq, archaeologist priest Merrin finds a devil statue. Just at the same time, in Georgetown, actress Chris McNeil is startled by strange noises in the room of her twelve-year-old daughter Regan. The girl is shaking on the bed and can't control the spasms. Chris and Regan don't know what horrible things await them.
Directed by: William Friedkin
Stars:
Ellen Burstyn, Max von Sydow and Linda Blair
3.
The French Connection (1971)
Agents Popeye Doyle and Buddy Russo track down a large drug shipment to New York. This trail leads to the French underworld trying to gain a foothold in New York. The realization that the police are eavesdropping on them makes the criminals extremely wary. The trail seems to fade, but Officer Popeye Doyle refuses to give up on the manhunt.
Directed by: William Friedkin
Stars:
Gene Hackman, Roy Scheider and Fernando Rey
4.
The Boys in the Band (1970)
This first Hollywood movie to feature only gay characters is about a number of men who meet on Harold's birthday. As the party progresses and the drink consumption increases, the atmosphere becomes more and more grim.
Directed by: William Friedkin
Stars:
Leonard Frey, Kenneth Nelson and Cliff Gorman
5.
12 Angry Men (1997)
Twelve judges of the court are about to judge a man. Juror 8 is the only one of the group to vote innocent. This is the beginning of arguments and reasons why the man should or should not be guilty. Remake of the 1957 classic of the same name.
Directed by: William Friedkin
Stars:
Jack Lemmon, James Gandolfini and George C. Scott
6.
To Live and Die in L.A. (1985)
Richard Chance and Jim Hart are friends and partners at the Secret Service in Los Angeles. When Hart is murdered by the counterfeiter Rick Masters just before retirement, Chance vows revenge. Tired of playing by the rules, he's blackmailing, ignoring direct orders and going against traffic on the highway. Chance leaves no stone unturned to take down the slippery but deadly Masters, but his obsession is not without consequences. Will the bitter vengeance ultimately lead to its own demise?
Directed by: William Friedkin
Stars:
William Petersen, Willem Dafoe and John Turturro
7.
Killer Joe (2011)
When 22-year-old drug dealer Chris (Emile Hirsch)'s mother robs him of his stash of drugs, he must quickly get out with $6,000 or die. Desperate as he is, he goes to the trailer park where his father Ansel (Thomas Haden Church) lives to present a plan. Chris' mother, who is hated by everyone, has a life insurance policy that can solve his debt burden and make them all rich. The only problem is that his mother is still very much alive. Bad-mannered hitman "Killer" Joe Cooper (Matthew McConaughey) must get the job done.
Directed by: William Friedkin
Stars:
Emile Hirsch, Matthew McConaughey and Juno Temple
8.
Rampage (1988)
Rampage tells the story of a seemingly normal young man who suddenly goes completely crazy and slaughters 5 people. The Public Prosecutor does not believe in the death penalty, but the more he digs into the case, the more he realizes that this man, once freed, will definitely kill again. Based on true events.
Directed by: William Friedkin
Stars:
Michael Biehn, Alex McArthur and Nicholas Campbell
9.
Rules of Engagement (2000)
Hayes Hodges, a Vietnam veteran turned lawyer, must defend Colonel Terry Childers, who is accused of initiating an incident that resulted in 83 civilian deaths. He can't really refuse, because Childers saved Hodges' life in Vietnam. Hodges investigates and comes across some strange things in the run-up to the military trial.
Directed by: William Friedkin
Stars:
Tommy Lee Jones, Samuel L. Jackson and Guy Pearce
10.
Blue Chips (1994)
When Pete Bell, an acclaimed coach of America's all-star basketball team, faces a bad season, a long string of successes seems to come to an end. Convinced he can win, Pete looks for players who can help him get back to the top. He sees himself forced to get involved with the less fresh side of top sport.
Directed by: William Friedkin
Stars:
Nick Nolte, Mary McDonnell and J.T. Walsh
Related Movies
Exorcist, The
Horror
1973 • 122 minutes
Sorcerer
Adventure / Thriller
1977 • 121 minutes
French Connection, The
Crime / Thriller
1971 • 104 minutes
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