Dog Day Afternoon Movie (1975)
A man robs a bank to pay for his lover's operation; it turns into a hostage situation and a media circus.
Based upon a real-life story that happened in the early seventies in which the Chase Manhattan Bank in Gravesend, Brooklyn, was held siege by a gay bank robber determined to steal enough money for his male lover to undergo a sex change operation. On a hot summer afternoon, the First Savings Bank of Brooklyn is held up by Sonny and Sal, two down-and-out characters. Although the bank manager and female tellers agree not to interfere with the robbery, Sonny finds that there's actually nothing much to steal, as most of the cash has been picked up for the day. Sonny then gets an unexpected phone call from Police Captain Moretti, who tells him the place is surrounded by the city's entire police force. Having few options under the circumstances, Sonny nervously bargains with Moretti, demanding safe escort to the airport and a plane out of the country in return for the bank employees' safety.
Based upon a real-life story that happened in the early seventies in which the Chase Manhattan Bank in Gravesend, Brooklyn, was held siege by a gay bank robber determined to steal enough money for his male lover to undergo a sex change operation. On a hot summer afternoon, the First Savings Bank of Brooklyn is held up by Sonny and Sal, two down-and-out characters. Although the bank manager and female tellers agree not to interfere with the robbery, Sonny finds that there's actually nothing much to steal, as most of the cash has been picked up for the day. Sonny then gets an unexpected phone call from Police Captain Moretti, who tells him the place is surrounded by the city's entire police force. Having few options under the circumstances, Sonny nervously bargains with Moretti, demanding safe escort to the airport and a plane out of the country in return for the bank employees' safety.
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Movie Comments & Discussion (3)
Pacino firing on all cylinders, does he ever do anything else? This guy has to be the greatest American actor of the last 3 or more decades and if you disagree and think De Niro is king I will meet you in the carpark later to discuss the matter further.
For me the name Pacino on a cast makes something worth watching and this, for me, has to be one of his finest. Released after the 2 Godfather films it sees him brimming with confidence and delivering a powerhouse performance that literally blows all around him off the screen, I pity his co-stars at this stage of his career, they couldnt even hope to match him.
This film is centred mainly around a small bank during a failed robbery and is extremely claustrophobic, you can almost feel the heat on that hot summers day yourself. Pacino and his buddy (played by real life pal and Godfather co-star John Cazale) rob the bank to get money to fund....hey well I cant tell you that because it will spoil the plot but trust me, its BIZARRE. The robbery doesnt go at all smoothly and soon the cops are surrounding the building and from then on the audience is treat to the most marvellously observed look into the developing relationships between hostages and hostage taker. We see how the gathering crowds outside start to worship Sonny (Al) as some sort of modern day robin hood and its all electric, the scenes in which he gos out to address the crowds/cops will have the hairs on your neck standing up...and its all based on a true story!
A brilliant film, a must for any Pacino fan.......ATTICA! ATTICA!
For me the name Pacino on a cast makes something worth watching and this, for me, has to be one of his finest. Released after the 2 Godfather films it sees him brimming with confidence and delivering a powerhouse performance that literally blows all around him off the screen, I pity his co-stars at this stage of his career, they couldnt even hope to match him.
This film is centred mainly around a small bank during a failed robbery and is extremely claustrophobic, you can almost feel the heat on that hot summers day yourself. Pacino and his buddy (played by real life pal and Godfather co-star John Cazale) rob the bank to get money to fund....hey well I cant tell you that because it will spoil the plot but trust me, its BIZARRE. The robbery doesnt go at all smoothly and soon the cops are surrounding the building and from then on the audience is treat to the most marvellously observed look into the developing relationships between hostages and hostage taker. We see how the gathering crowds outside start to worship Sonny (Al) as some sort of modern day robin hood and its all electric, the scenes in which he gos out to address the crowds/cops will have the hairs on your neck standing up...and its all based on a true story!
A brilliant film, a must for any Pacino fan.......ATTICA! ATTICA!
Al pacino is awesome in this movie and it is based on a true life story of brooklyn new york where a bank robber holds up a bank for a few minuts but instead it last for many hours. The cops show up outside of the place and the bank robbers are inside the bank with hostages ready to blow them away with one shot if they don't cooperate. It also has some funny parts in the movie as well.
This was the first movie I watched as a young adult that I have to say is a 5 star. Al Pacino is extremely talented.
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Storyline
Based upon a real-life story that happened in the early seventies in which the Chase Manhattan Bank in Gravesend, Brooklyn, was held siege by a gay bank robber determined to steal enough money for his male lover to undergo a sex change operation. On a hot summer afternoon, the First Savings Bank of Brooklyn is held up by Sonny and Sal, two down-and-out characters. Although the bank manager and female tellers agree not to interfere with the robbery, Sonny finds that there's actually nothing much to steal, as most of the cash has been picked up for the day. Sonny then gets an unexpected phone call from Police Captain Moretti, who tells him the place is surrounded by the city's entire police force. Having few options under the circumstances, Sonny nervously bargains with Moretti, demanding safe escort to the airport and a plane out of the country in return for the bank employees' safety.Details
- Rated: R
- Runtime: 2:05 hours
- Genre: Biography, Crime, Drama
- Director: Sidney Lumet
- Writer: Frank Pierson (screenplay), P.F. Kluge (based upon a magazine article by), Thomas Moore (based upon a magazine article by)
- Actors: Penelope Allen, Sully Boyar, John Cazale, Beulah Garrick
- Language: English
- Country: USA
- Awards: Won 1 Oscar. Another 13 wins & 19 nominations
- Production Company: WARNER BROTHERS PICTURES
- ASIN: B000CDINUE
- Year Released: 1975
- Release Date: Dec 24, 1975
- DVD Date: Dec 15, 1997
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