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IMDbPro

Serpico

  • 19731973
  • RR
  • 2h 10m
IMDb RATING
7.7/10
127K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
2,592
149
Serpico (1973)
Watch Trailer
Play trailer4:14
2 Videos
99+ Photos
BiographyCrimeDrama
An honest New York cop named Frank Serpico blows the whistle on rampant corruption in the force only to have his comrades turn against him.An honest New York cop named Frank Serpico blows the whistle on rampant corruption in the force only to have his comrades turn against him.An honest New York cop named Frank Serpico blows the whistle on rampant corruption in the force only to have his comrades turn against him.
IMDb RATING
7.7/10
127K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
2,592
149
  • Director
    • Sidney Lumet
  • Writers
    • Peter Maas(book)
    • Waldo Salt(screenplay)
    • Norman Wexler(screenplay)
  • Stars
    • Al Pacino
    • John Randolph
    • Jack Kehoe
  • Director
    • Sidney Lumet
  • Writers
    • Peter Maas(book)
    • Waldo Salt(screenplay)
    • Norman Wexler(screenplay)
  • Stars
    • Al Pacino
    • John Randolph
    • Jack Kehoe
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 239User reviews
    • 118Critic reviews
    • 81Metascore
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Nominated for 2 Oscars
      • 8 wins & 13 nominations total

    Videos2

    Trailer
    Trailer 4:14
    Watch Trailer
    Christopher Meloni Knows How to Spot a Good Cop
    Video 2:34
    Watch Christopher Meloni Knows How to Spot a Good Cop

    Photos180

    Al Pacino in Serpico (1973)
    Al Pacino and Cornelia Sharpe in Serpico (1973)
    Al Pacino in Serpico (1973)
    Al Pacino in Serpico (1973)
    Al Pacino in Serpico (1973)
    Al Pacino in Serpico (1973)
    Al Pacino in Serpico (1973)
    Al Pacino in Serpico (1973)
    Al Pacino in Serpico (1973)
    Al Pacino in Serpico (1973)
    Al Pacino in Serpico (1973)
    Al Pacino and Cornelia Sharpe in Serpico (1973)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Al Pacino
    Al Pacino
    • Serpico
    John Randolph
    John Randolph
    • Sidney Green
    Jack Kehoe
    Jack Kehoe
    • Tom Keough
    Biff McGuire
    Biff McGuire
    • Captain McClain
    Barbara Eda-Young
    • Laurie
    • (as Barbara eda-Young)
    Cornelia Sharpe
    Cornelia Sharpe
    • Leslie
    Tony Roberts
    Tony Roberts
    • Bob Blair
    John Medici
    • Pasquale
    Allan Rich
    Allan Rich
    • D.A. Tauber
    Norman Ornellas
    • Rubello
    Edward Grover
    Edward Grover
    • Lombardo
    • (as Ed Grover)
    Albert Henderson
    • Peluce
    • (as Al Henderson)
    Hank Garrett
    Hank Garrett
    • Malone
    Damien Leake
    Damien Leake
    • Joey
    Joseph Bova
    • Potts
    • (as Joe Bova)
    Gene Gross
    • Captain Tolkin
    John Stewart
    John Stewart
    • Waterman
    Woodie King Jr.
    • Larry
    • (as Woodie King)
    • Director
      • Sidney Lumet
    • Writers
      • Peter Maas(book)
      • Waldo Salt(screenplay)
      • Norman Wexler(screenplay)
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      After he decided to make the film, Al Pacino invited Frank Serpico to stay with him at a house that Pacino had rented in Montauk, NY. When Pacino asked Serpico, "Why did you do it?" Serpico replied, "Well, Al, I don't know. I guess I would have to say it would be because if I didn't, who would I be when I listened to a piece of music?"
    • Goofs
      The prison "chain gang" being led into the wagon at the beginning has male and female prisoners on the same "chain," and both sexes are transported in the same wagon. The NYPD absolutely forbade that then ... and now.
    • Quotes

      Frank Serpico: The reality is that we do not wash our own laundry - it just gets dirtier.

    • Alternate versions
      There is one Australian VHS version released through RCA Columbia Pictures Hoyts Home Video in the 1980s which had all profanity overdubbed with tamer language, as well as some scenes of sexuality/nudity. Subsequent releases on DVD are uncensored.
    • Connections
      Edited into The Kid Stays in the Picture (2002)
    • Soundtracks
      E Lucevan le Stelle
      (uncredited)

      from "Tosca"

      Music by Giacomo Puccini

      Performed by Giuseppe Di Stefano

    User reviews239

    Review
    Review
    Featured review
    10/10
    The first real power-house performance by Pacino, thirty years down the line still one of his finest
    Sidney Lumet proved himself to be a highly competent and effective director/storyteller for the true story of New York Officer Frank Serpico, who became famous after appearing to testify before the NAPA Commission about payoffs and corruption in the Police Department. At the time, it was unheard of, and it gained Peter Maars attention to write the book, which thus got transferred to the screen as so. But what makes Serpico such a riveting and eye catching picture today are the little things about it, little details in specific scenes and locations that help ring Serpico's emotions far more than true- it's just there. Even more amazing on the part of the actual filming of the movie is that it was at the time filmed backwards (started with the beard, then the mustache, then clean-shaven).

    Al Pacino, right off of the first part of the Godfather trilogy, took this role with all the fire and compassion that he had in him. He sees in Serpico not just an honest cop wanting some balance and honor in his work, yet also a man, who can get as joyful and humorous as he can act subtle, furious, and thoughtful. This will always remain one of his stand-out roles after all the Scarfaces and Scent of a Woman pictures he can do because he, as well as Lumet, know how to approach such a saga. Plenty of great, compelling set pieces, and even sweet ones (like when he first buys the sheepdog as a puppy). A+
    helpful•120
    19
    • Quinoa1984
    • Jun 9, 2003

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • December 5, 1973 (United States)
    • Countries of origin
      • Italy
      • United States
    • Official site
      • Official Facebook
    • Languages
      • English
      • Italian
      • Spanish
    • Also known as
      • Sérpico
    • Filming locations
      • Lewisohn Stadium, Amsterdam Avenue, Manhattan, New York City, New York, USA(Meeting Scene with Bob Blair)
    • Production companies
      • Artists Entertainment Complex
      • Produzioni De Laurentiis International Manufacturing Company
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $3,000,000 (estimated)
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $29,800,000
    • Gross worldwide
      • $29,829,963
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      2 hours 10 minutes
    • Sound mix
      • Mono
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.85 : 1

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