The film received three Academy Award nominations for Best Visual Effects, Best Sound Mixing and Best Sound Editing, with no wins.The screenplay by Ernest Tidyman about a crackdown on a multi-million dollar international dope smuggling ring was based on Robin Moore""s best-selling 1969 bookThe French Connection.]In spite of that, he Boy showed off a lavalliere (without a chain) - an expensive gift hat he had bought for Mildred.The Donkey went looking for Fiona in the dilapidated windmill, and discovered to his utter shock that she had turned into a female ogre (ogress).Accompanied by the film""s majestically sweeping score, he next scene begins with an endless horizon above which the golden desert sun slowly rises, first seen as a growing sliver of bright light.