Serpico
Serpico

Movie spotlight

Serpico

1973
Movie
130 min
English

New York cop Frank Serpico blows the whistle on the rampant corruption in the force only to have his comrades turn against him.

Insights

IMDb7.7/10
Rotten Tomatoes86%
Metacritic85
Google Users90%
Director: Sidney LumetGenres: Crime, Drama, Biography

Plot Summary

Frank Serpico, an honest and idealistic NYPD detective, becomes increasingly disillusioned as he witnesses and is pressured to participate in widespread corruption within the police force. His unwavering integrity leads him to go undercover and eventually expose the deeply entrenched system of bribery and brutality, putting his own life in constant danger.

Critical Reception

Serpico was a critical and commercial success, widely praised for its gritty realism, powerful performances, and its unflinching look at police corruption. Al Pacino's portrayal of Serpico was particularly lauded, earning him an Oscar nomination. The film is considered a landmark of 1970s crime cinema.

What Reviewers Say

  • Praised for its raw and authentic portrayal of police corruption.

  • Al Pacino delivers a star-making, compelling performance.

  • The film's gritty realism and social commentary were highly regarded.

Google audience: Viewers frequently highlight Al Pacino's outstanding performance and the film's powerful, unflinching depiction of police corruption. Many appreciate its realistic and compelling narrative, calling it a classic crime drama.

Awards & Accolades

Academy Award nomination for Best Actor (Al Pacino), Golden Globe Award win for Best Actor – Motion Picture Drama (Al Pacino), BAFTA Award nominations.

Fun Fact

Al Pacino insisted on authenticity for his character, reportedly refusing to wear makeup to look older and instead letting his natural aging during the film's production show on screen.

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TMDB Reviews

1 reviews
John Chard

John Chard

An honest cop. Who would believe that? Serpico is directed by Sidney Lumet and adapted to screenplay by Waldo Salt and Norman Wexler from Peter Maas’ biography of NYPD officer Frank Serpico who stood up to expose rife corruption in the ...

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