Dog Day Afternoon
Dog Day Afternoon

Dog Day Afternoon

1975Movie124 minEnglish

Based on the true story of would-be Brooklyn bank robbers John Wojtowicz and Salvatore Naturile. Sonny and Sal attempt a bank heist which quickly turns sour and escalates into a hostage situation and stand-off with the police. As Sonny's motives for the robbery are slowly revealed and things become more complicated, the heist turns into a media circus.

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Insights

IMDb8.0/10
Rotten Tomatoes96%
Metacritic91
Google Users95%
Director: Sidney LumetGenres: Crime, Drama, True Story

Plot Summary

Based on a true story, this film follows Sonny Wortzik, a Vietnam War veteran who attempts to rob a bank in Brooklyn to pay for his lover's gender confirmation surgery. The situation quickly escalates into a media circus and a tense hostage crisis as Sonny and his accomplice, Fred, find themselves surrounded by police. Over the course of the day, Sonny's motivations, his relationships, and the complexities of the media's involvement are revealed.

Critical Reception

Dog Day Afternoon was a critical and commercial success, widely praised for its realistic portrayal of a bizarre event and its powerful performances, particularly from Al Pacino. It is often considered one of the greatest films of the 1970s and a landmark in crime drama.

What Reviewers Say

  • Masterful direction and a career-defining performance from Al Pacino.
  • A tense, gripping, and surprisingly poignant look at a real-life crime.
  • Its blend of social commentary and raw drama remains impactful.

Google audience: Audiences laud the film's authentic feel, gripping narrative, and Al Pacino's unforgettable performance. Many appreciate its unflinching portrayal of complex social issues and its powerful emotional resonance.

Awards & Accolades

Won the Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay; nominated for Best Actor (Al Pacino), Best Supporting Actor (John Cazale), Best Director, and Best Picture. Nominated for numerous Golden Globes and BAFTAs.

Fun Fact

The character of Leon (played by Chris Sarandon) was based on a real person named Elizabeth Eden, who later attended the film's premiere.

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My Review

TMDB Reviews

2 reviews
Filipe Manuel Neto

Filipe Manuel Ne...

**A good film, but not as memorable as some people say.** Director Sidney Lumet created this film based on a true incident that is still the subject of study by police cadets today: a homosexual who decides to rob a bank to pay for his p...
talisencrw

talisencrw

Recently I have gotten on kicks for both watching and appreciating the works of director Sidney Lumet and the classic (i.e., 70's) performances of Al Pacino. Thus I came across this film, which I had on DVD forever. It'll interesting to wat...