- Film Review
- Reviewed By Tom Hutchinson
-
4 out of 5
In this fascinating police thriller, Al Pacino gives an outstanding, Oscar-nominated performance as real-life cop Frank Serpico, who helped expose corruption in the New York Police Department in the early 1970s. Director Sidney Lumet shows in absorbing detail how hush-money and bribes were a way of life for Serpico's colleagues and how the idealistic young officer refused to toe the line. After years of watching partners take backhanders from criminals, Serpico eventually agreed to testify against a fellow officer and became a marked man. Even though Lumet revisited similar territory - memorably in the fine drama Prince of the City - he never found a better purveyor of idealism than Pacino.
Plot Summary
Police thriller starring Al Pacino, based on the real-life story of a young undercover cop. Despite the violence and cynicism that surround him, Frank Serpico retains his ideals, refusing the pay-offs which are common to his colleagues. Gradually, his attitudes and behaviour isolate him within the force, and he faces danger from both sides of the law.
Cast and crew
Cast
- Frank Serpico
- Al Pacino
- Sidney Green
- John Randolph
- Tom Keough
- Jack Kehoe
- McClain
- Biff McGuire
- Laurie
- Barbara Eda-Young
- Leslie
- Cornelia Sharpe
- Bob Blair
- Tony Roberts
- Pasquale
- John Medici
- DA Tauber
- Allan Rich
- Rubello
- Norman Ornellas
- Lombardo
- Edward Grover
- Peluce
- Al Henderson
- Malone
- Hank Garrett
- Joey
- Damien Leake
- Potts
- Joe Bova
- Captain Tolkin
- Gene Gross
- Gallagher
- M Emmet Walsh
- Detective partner
- F Murray Abraham
- Cop
- Judd Hirsch
- Cop
- Tony LoBianco
- Charlie
- Kenneth McMillan
- Street urchin
- Tracey Walter
Crew
- Director
- Sidney Lumet
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