Serpico
Encyclopedia
Serpico is a 1973 American crime film
directed by Sidney Lumet
. It is based on the true story of New York City
policeman
Frank Serpico
, who went undercover to expose the corruption of his fellow officers, after being pushed to the brink at first by their distrust and later by the threats and intimidation they leveled against him. It stars Al Pacino
, John Randolph
and Tony Roberts
.
book by Peter Maas
, the film covers twelve years (from 1960 to 1972) in the life of Frank Serpico, a NYPD officer who wants to do the best he can as a policeman. Working as a uniform patrolman, Serpico gets every assignment in. Then he moves to plainclothes assignments, where he slowly uncovers cops doing drugs, taking paybacks and other forms of corruption
. Serpico decides to expose this, but is harassed and threatened. The struggle leads to infighting within the police force, problems in his personal relationships, and life-threatening situations. Finally, he testifies to the Knapp Commission
, which met to investigate police corruption between 1970 and 1972.
to discuss a film adaptation. Waldo Salt
, a screenwriter, began to write the script which director Sidney Lumet
deemed to be too long. Another screenwriter, Norman Wexler
, did the structural work followed by play lines. Screenwriter Sidney Kingsley
also wrote and did structural work on the script.
Director John G. Avildsen
was originally slated to direct the movie, but was removed from production due to differences with producer Bregman. Lumet took the helm as director just before filming.
The real-life Frank Serpico wished to be present during the filming of the movie based on his life. Initially he was permitted to stay, but was eventually dismissed from the filming, as director Lumet was worried that his presence would make the actors (particularly lead actor Al Pacino) self-conscious.
The story was filmed in the streets of New York City. A total of 105 different locations in four of the five boroughs of the city were used. No filming took place in Staten Island
. An apartment at 5-7 Minetta Street in Manhattan's Greenwich Village
was used as Serpico's residence, though according to the Peter Maas book he actually lived on Perry Street during the events depicted in the film. Lewisohn Stadium
, which was closed at the time of filming, was used for one scene.
As the storyline needed to show the progression of Frank Serpico
's beard and hair length, individual scenes were filmed in reverse order, with actor Al Pacino
's hair being trimmed for each scene set earlier in the film's timeline.
Woodie King Jr., originally cast as a hoodlum, was replaced after suffering a broken leg while filming a chase scene for this movie. He returned to the set two months later to play Leslie's friend Larry in the party scene.
, nominated for both a Grammy and a BAFTA award. Its Greek name is Dromoi Palioi.
The film was nominated for Academy Awards
for Best Actor in a Leading Role
(Al Pacino) and Best Writing, Screenplay Based on Material from Another Medium
. Pacino won his first Golden Globe
award for Best Actor in 1974 for his performance in the film.
's 100 Years... 100 Heroes and Villains
list. The film is also ranked at #84 on the AFI's 100 Years... 100 Cheers
, a list of America's Most Inspiring Movies.
There was a 1976 television series of Serpico
, starring David Birney
, who also played the role in a TV movie made in the same year, called Serpico: The Deadly Game.
A number of comedy B-movies were filmed in Italy in the 1970s, starring Tomás Milián
in the role of an undercover policeman from Rome, who played a Serpico-like character.
since 2002. It was released on Blu-ray for the first time in France
.
Crime film
Crime films are films which focus on the lives of criminals. The stylistic approach to a crime film varies from realistic portrayals of real-life criminal figures, to the far-fetched evil doings of imaginary arch-villains. Criminal acts are almost always glorified in these movies.- Plays and films...
directed by Sidney Lumet
Sidney Lumet
Sidney Lumet was an American director, producer and screenwriter with over 50 films to his credit. He was nominated for the Academy Award as Best Director for 12 Angry Men , Dog Day Afternoon , Network and The Verdict...
. It is based on the true story of New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
policeman
Police officer
A police officer is a warranted employee of a police force...
Frank Serpico
Frank Serpico
Francesco Vincent Serpico is a retired American New York City Police Department officer who is most famous for testifying against police corruption in 1971...
, who went undercover to expose the corruption of his fellow officers, after being pushed to the brink at first by their distrust and later by the threats and intimidation they leveled against him. It stars Al Pacino
Al Pacino
Alfredo James "Al" Pacino is an American film and stage actor and director. He is famous for playing mobsters, including Michael Corleone in The Godfather trilogy, Tony Montana in Scarface, Alphonse "Big Boy" Caprice in Dick Tracy and Carlito Brigante in Carlito's Way, though he has also appeared...
, John Randolph
John Randolph (actor)
John Randolph was an American film, television and stage actor.-Early life:Randolph was born Emanuel Hirsch Cohen in New York City, the son of Jewish immigrants Dorothy , an insurance agent, and Louis Cohen, a hat manufacturer...
and Tony Roberts
Tony Roberts (actor)
David Anthony "Tony" Roberts is an American actor. He is best known for his roles in several Woody Allen movies, usually cast as Allen's best friend.-Early life:...
.
Plot
Based on the non-fictionNon-fiction
Non-fiction is the form of any narrative, account, or other communicative work whose assertions and descriptions are understood to be fact...
book by Peter Maas
Peter Maas
Peter Maas was an American journalist and author. He was born in New York City and attended Duke University. Maas had Dutch and Irish heritage....
, the film covers twelve years (from 1960 to 1972) in the life of Frank Serpico, a NYPD officer who wants to do the best he can as a policeman. Working as a uniform patrolman, Serpico gets every assignment in. Then he moves to plainclothes assignments, where he slowly uncovers cops doing drugs, taking paybacks and other forms of corruption
Police corruption
Police corruption is a specific form of police misconduct designed to obtain financial benefits, other personal gain, or career advancement for a police officer or officers in exchange for not pursuing, or selectively pursuing, an investigation or arrest....
. Serpico decides to expose this, but is harassed and threatened. The struggle leads to infighting within the police force, problems in his personal relationships, and life-threatening situations. Finally, he testifies to the Knapp Commission
Knapp Commission
The Knapp Commission stemmed from a five-member panel initially formed in April 1970 by Mayor John V. Lindsay to investigate corruption within the New York City Police Department...
, which met to investigate police corruption between 1970 and 1972.
Cast
- Al PacinoAl PacinoAlfredo James "Al" Pacino is an American film and stage actor and director. He is famous for playing mobsters, including Michael Corleone in The Godfather trilogy, Tony Montana in Scarface, Alphonse "Big Boy" Caprice in Dick Tracy and Carlito Brigante in Carlito's Way, though he has also appeared...
as Frank Serpico - John RandolphJohn Randolph (actor)John Randolph was an American film, television and stage actor.-Early life:Randolph was born Emanuel Hirsch Cohen in New York City, the son of Jewish immigrants Dorothy , an insurance agent, and Louis Cohen, a hat manufacturer...
as Chief Sidney Green - Jack KehoeJack KehoeJack Kehoe is an American film actor appearing in a wide variety of films, including the crime dramas Serpico, The Pope of Greenwich Village, and Brian De Palma's 1987 The Untouchables, as well as the 1976 comedy Car Wash, and 1988 cult classic Midnight Run...
as Tom Keough - Biff McGuireBiff McGuireWilliam "Biff" McGuire is an American actor. In recent years he has used the name William Biff McGuire professionally....
as Captain Inspector McClain - Barbara Eda-Young as Laurie
- Cornelia Sharpe as Leslie Lane
- Tony RobertsTony Roberts (actor)David Anthony "Tony" Roberts is an American actor. He is best known for his roles in several Woody Allen movies, usually cast as Allen's best friend.-Early life:...
as Bob Blair - John Medici as Pasquale
- Allan RichAllan RichAllan Rich, is an American character actor, author, and activist.-Personal life:Allan Rich was one of the many alleged communist sympathizers blacklisted in the 1950s Hollywood blacklist.-Activism:...
as District Attorney Herman Tauber - Norman Ornellas as Don Rubello
- F. Murray AbrahamF. Murray AbrahamFahrid Murray Abraham is an American actor. He became known during the 1980s after winning the Academy Award for Best Actor for his role as Antonio Salieri in Amadeus. He has appeared in many roles, both leading and supporting, in films such as All the President's Men and Scarface...
as Detective partner (uncredited) - Edward Grover as Inspector Lombardo
- Albert HendersonAlbert HendersonAlbert Percy Henderson was a Canadian amateur football player who competed in the 1904 Summer Olympics.He was born in Galt, Ontario and died in Los Angeles....
as Peluce - Hank Garrett as Malone
- Damien Leake as Joey
- Joseph BovaJoseph BovaJoseph Bova worked in early television, having a children's show on WABC-TV in New York . He played Prince Dauntless in Once Upon A Mattress. Bova died of emphysema on March 12, 2006 at the Actor's Fund retirement home in Englewood, New Jersey. He was 81 years old.-External links:...
as Potts - Gene Gross as Captain Tolkin
- John Stewart as Waterman
- Woodie King Jr. as Larry
- James TolkanJames TolkanJames S. Tolkan is an American actor, often cast as a strict, overbearing, bald-headed authority figure.-Personal life:He was born in Calumet, Michigan, the son of Ralph M. Tolkan, a cattle dealer, and attended the University of Iowa, Coe College, the Actors Studio and Eastern Arizona College...
as Lieutenant Steiger - Ed CrowleyEd CrowleyEdgar Jewell Crowley was a Major League Baseball third baseman. He appeared in two games for the Washington Senators in , going hitless in one at bat.-External links:...
as Barto - Bernard BarrowBernard BarrowBernard E. "Bernie" Barrow was an American actor and collegiate drama professor. He was best known as an actor for his role as "Johnny Ryan", a publican and the patriarch of an Irish-American family on the television soap opera, Ryan's Hope, on which he appeared from 1975 until the show's demise...
as Inspector Roy Palmer - Sal Carollo as Mr Serpico
- Gus Fleming as Dr. Metz
- Alan NorthAlan NorthAlan North was an American actor.North was born in the Bronx, New York and joined the United States Navy during the Second World War...
as Brown - Lewis J. StadlenLewis J. StadlenLewis J. Stadlen is an American stage and screen character actor.-Career:Born in Brooklyn, New York to voice actor Allen Swift, Stadlen studied acting with Sanford Meisner and Stella Adler...
as Jerry Berman, Mayor's office - John McQuade as Kellogg
- Ted Beniades as Sarno
- John Lehne as Gilbert
- M. Emmet WalshM. Emmet WalshMichael Emmet Walsh is an American actor who has appeared in over 100 film and television productions.-Life and career:Walsh was born in Ogdensburg, New York, the son of Agnes Kathrine and Harry Maurice Walsh, Sr., a customs agent...
as Gallagher - George Ede as Daley
- Charles White as Commissioner Delaney
- Judd Hirsh as Cop (uncredited)
Production
Prior to any work on the movie, producer Martin Bregman had lunch with biographical book author Peter MaasPeter Maas
Peter Maas was an American journalist and author. He was born in New York City and attended Duke University. Maas had Dutch and Irish heritage....
to discuss a film adaptation. Waldo Salt
Waldo Salt
Waldo Miller Salt was an American screenwriter who was blacklisted by the Hollywood movie studio bosses during the era of McCarthyism.-Early life and career:...
, a screenwriter, began to write the script which director Sidney Lumet
Sidney Lumet
Sidney Lumet was an American director, producer and screenwriter with over 50 films to his credit. He was nominated for the Academy Award as Best Director for 12 Angry Men , Dog Day Afternoon , Network and The Verdict...
deemed to be too long. Another screenwriter, Norman Wexler
Norman Wexler
Norman Wexler was a screenwriter whose work included such films as Saturday Night Fever, Serpico and Joe, for which he received an Oscar nomination in 1971...
, did the structural work followed by play lines. Screenwriter Sidney Kingsley
Sidney Kingsley
Sidney Kingsley was an American dramatist. He received the Pulitzer Prize for Drama for his play Men in White in 1934.- Biography :...
also wrote and did structural work on the script.
Director John G. Avildsen
John G. Avildsen
John Guilbert Avildsen is an American film director.-Life and career:Avildsen was born in Oak Park, Illinois, the son of Ivy and Clarence John Avildsen...
was originally slated to direct the movie, but was removed from production due to differences with producer Bregman. Lumet took the helm as director just before filming.
The real-life Frank Serpico wished to be present during the filming of the movie based on his life. Initially he was permitted to stay, but was eventually dismissed from the filming, as director Lumet was worried that his presence would make the actors (particularly lead actor Al Pacino) self-conscious.
The story was filmed in the streets of New York City. A total of 105 different locations in four of the five boroughs of the city were used. No filming took place in Staten Island
Staten Island
Staten Island is a borough of New York City, New York, United States, located in the southwest part of the city. Staten Island is separated from New Jersey by the Arthur Kill and the Kill Van Kull, and from the rest of New York by New York Bay...
. An apartment at 5-7 Minetta Street in Manhattan's Greenwich Village
Greenwich Village
Greenwich Village, , , , .in New York often simply called "the Village", is a largely residential neighborhood on the west side of Lower Manhattan in New York City. A large majority of the district is home to upper middle class families...
was used as Serpico's residence, though according to the Peter Maas book he actually lived on Perry Street during the events depicted in the film. Lewisohn Stadium
Lewisohn Stadium
Lewisohn Stadium was an amphitheater and athletic facility built on the campus of the City College of New York. It opened in 1915 and was demolished in 1973.-History:...
, which was closed at the time of filming, was used for one scene.
As the storyline needed to show the progression of Frank Serpico
Frank Serpico
Francesco Vincent Serpico is a retired American New York City Police Department officer who is most famous for testifying against police corruption in 1971...
's beard and hair length, individual scenes were filmed in reverse order, with actor Al Pacino
Al Pacino
Alfredo James "Al" Pacino is an American film and stage actor and director. He is famous for playing mobsters, including Michael Corleone in The Godfather trilogy, Tony Montana in Scarface, Alphonse "Big Boy" Caprice in Dick Tracy and Carlito Brigante in Carlito's Way, though he has also appeared...
's hair being trimmed for each scene set earlier in the film's timeline.
Woodie King Jr., originally cast as a hoodlum, was replaced after suffering a broken leg while filming a chase scene for this movie. He returned to the set two months later to play Leslie's friend Larry in the party scene.
Awards
The original music theme was composed by Mikis TheodorakisMikis Theodorakis
Mikis Theodorakis is one of the most renowned Greek songwriters and composers. Internationally, he is probably best known for his songs and for his scores for the films Zorba the Greek , Z , and Serpico .Politically, he identified with the left until the late 1980s; in 1989, he ran as an...
, nominated for both a Grammy and a BAFTA award. Its Greek name is Dromoi Palioi.
The film was nominated for Academy Awards
Academy Awards
An Academy Award, also known as an Oscar, is an accolade bestowed by the American Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences to recognize excellence of professionals in the film industry, including directors, actors, and writers...
for Best Actor in a Leading Role
Academy Award for Best Actor
Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role is one of the Academy Awards of Merit presented annually by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences to recognize an actor who has delivered an outstanding performance while working within the film industry...
(Al Pacino) and Best Writing, Screenplay Based on Material from Another Medium
Academy Award for Writing Adapted Screenplay
The Academy Award for Writing Adapted Screenplay is one of the Academy Awards, the most prominent film awards in the United States. It is awarded each year to the writer of a screenplay adapted from another source...
. Pacino won his first Golden Globe
Golden Globe Award
The Golden Globe Award is an accolade bestowed by the 93 members of the Hollywood Foreign Press Association recognizing excellence in film and television, both domestic and foreign...
award for Best Actor in 1974 for his performance in the film.
Legacy
Serpico is hailed as a classic. Pacino's performance has come to be considered as one of his best. His role as Frank Serpico is ranked at #40 on the American Film InstituteAmerican Film Institute
The American Film Institute is an independent non-profit organization created by the National Endowment for the Arts, which was established in 1967 when President Lyndon B. Johnson signed the National Foundation on the Arts and the Humanities Act...
's 100 Years... 100 Heroes and Villains
AFI's 100 Years... 100 Heroes and Villains
AFI's 100 Years... 100 Heroes and Villains is a list of the 100 greatest screen characters chosen by American Film Institute in June 2003. It is part of the AFI 100 Years… series. The series was first presented in a CBS special hosted by Arnold Schwarzenegger...
list. The film is also ranked at #84 on the AFI's 100 Years... 100 Cheers
AFI's 100 Years... 100 Cheers
100 Years…100 Cheers: America's Most Inspiring Movies is a list of the most inspiring films as determined by the American Film Institute. It is part of the AFI 100 Years… series, which has been compiling lists of the greatest films of all time in various categories since 1998...
, a list of America's Most Inspiring Movies.
There was a 1976 television series of Serpico
Serpico (TV series)
Serpico is a short-lived American crime drama series that aired on NBC between September 1976 and February 1977. The series was based on the novel by Peter Maas and the 1973 film of the same name that starred Al Pacino in the title role...
, starring David Birney
David Birney
David Edwin Birney is an American actor/director whose career has performances in both contemporary and classical roles in theatre, film and television. He has three children, a daughter Kate, and twins, Peter and Mollie....
, who also played the role in a TV movie made in the same year, called Serpico: The Deadly Game.
A number of comedy B-movies were filmed in Italy in the 1970s, starring Tomás Milián
Tomas Milian
Tomás Milián is a Cuban-American actor best known for having worked extensively in Italian films from the late 1950s to the 1980s.-Career in Italy:...
in the role of an undercover policeman from Rome, who played a Serpico-like character.
Home video releases
Serpico was released on VHS and is available on Region 1 DVDDVD
A DVD is an optical disc storage media format, invented and developed by Philips, Sony, Toshiba, and Panasonic in 1995. DVDs offer higher storage capacity than Compact Discs while having the same dimensions....
since 2002. It was released on Blu-ray for the first time in France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
.