Serpico (1974) - A key 1970s film from ace director Sid Lumet and featuring one of Pacino's finest performances. The analysis of police corruption and the prejudice, heartbreak and failed relationships that Frank Serpico (Pacino) endured remains psychologically acute and makes for gripping, entertaining 70s cinema at its very best. Superb stuff.

New York’s Finest?
Review date: 2004-01-15 Rating: 10 out of 10

Serpico is an excellent entry from that great period of American movie-making that began with Bonnie and Clyde, and which was destroyed by Star Wars and the whole blockbuster phenomenon. Sidney Lumet is the New York movie maker par excellance, nobody else (including Woody Allen) can get to the core of the Big Apple as well as Lumet. The story of Frank Serpico is in that long line of American "a man’s gotta do…" films (i.e. High Noon, etc), and what gives this film its power is that Al Pacino (at the height of his powers as an actor) invests Serpico with real humanity, warmth, courage, anger and all the conflicting emotions that the real Frank Serpico suffered in his lonely battle against corruption and cynicism. This wonderful film is a worthy tribute to a real life hero, and stands easily amongst the classic films of the 70’s.

Cooler than Samuel L Jackson................
Review date: 2003-12-27 Rating: 10 out of 10

I'll start by saying that another reviewer of this film wrote the following .......
" great film and a must for any Al Pacino fan."
Very true, yet this film MADE me an Al Pacino fan, for I had seen The Godfather trilogy in the annals of my past yet they do not focus entirely on him and could only vaguely remember them.
The reason I picked up this film is the fact that I am a big Robert De Niro fan for such films as Raging Bull and Taxi Driver, and know that the two are hotly contested for being peoples favourite actors. So having not seen many Pacino films decided to see one.
I was not dissapointed.
On first viewing i felt the film moved along at a steady to slow pace yet never got boring in fact was enthrallilng especially as it is based on fact.
Overall i enjoyed the film and found Pacino to be both funny and cool, yet showed at great lengths what his character was going through, and I really felt for him. That is the sign of a great actor, it's not the actor on the screen or a portrayal it is Frank Serpico himself.
It did not rank it as my favourite film at first viewing but on the second and beyond it's now damn close, iv'e recommended it to my friend and brother and have and will be buying more Al Pacino films for my collection.
Pacino exudes class on the screen, and his character of an honest cop fighting against corruption and fighting for his values and morals is one example of an honest person that is very moving, and for any film fan is essential viewing. The acting alone could have made this a classic especially the scene under the bridge where Pacino ( not on script ) gets so wrapped up in the moment sceams. It's just a classic and great film.
Yes friends that is the title I have given it for it is up there with my film greats.
(On a final note if anyone knows where i can get my hands on a hat like he wears in the film please drop me a line i would be very grateful!)

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