The Connection appears to be one of those legendary "firsts" like Citizen Kane or Breathless, which not only excel filmically, but also set standards for other film work. In short, The Connection is important. There is no doubt that in many ways this will be a pace-setting film, from the points of view of form, impact, and method of production. (pp. 13-14)

The Connection [breaks] long-established movie axioms. For one thing, the camera plays a part in the film itself, and thus a new kind of audience identification is created, which borders on audience participation; the camera represents the viewer. This, in fact, is part of the intention of its appearance: the actors … are confronted by its peering presence, and begin to act for it, so that their reality is geared to the intrusion of the spectator. This is as close as film has ever come to providing...