Francis Ford Coppola Instagram – William Friedkin was my first friend among the filmmakers of my generation and I grieve for the loss of a  much-loved companion. His accomplishments in Cinema are extraordinary and unique. He is the only colleague I knew whose work actually saved a man’s life (THE PEOPLE VS PAUL CRUMP). Billy’s work represents true milestones in Cinema, a list which will never be forgotten; certainly THE FRENCH CONNECTION, THE EXORCIST and SORCERER, but all of his films are alive with his genius.  Pick any of them out of a hat and you’ll be dazzled. His lovable, irascible  personality was cover for a beautiful, brilliant,  deep-feeling giant of a man. It’s very hard to grasp that I will never enjoy his company again, but his work will at least stand in for him.