Dog Day Afternoon

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Dog Day Afternoon

R

Released Sep 21, 1975

2h 10m

Crime

Drama

LGBTQ+

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

96%

Tomatometer

117 Reviews

90%

Popcornmeter

100,000+ Ratings

When inexperienced criminal Sonny Wortzik (Al Pacino) leads a bank robbery in Brooklyn, things quickly go wrong, and a hostage situation develops. As Sonny and his accomplice, Sal Naturile (John Cazale), try desperately to remain in control, a media circus develops and the FBI arrives, creating even more tension. Gradually, Sonny's surprising motivations behind the robbery are revealed, and his standoff with law enforcement moves toward its inevitable end.

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Critics Consensus

Framed by great work from director Sidney Lumet and fueled by a gripping performance from Al Pacino, Dog Day Afternoon offers a finely detailed snapshot of people in crisis with tension-soaked drama shaded in black humor.

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Mick LaSalle

San Francisco Chronicle

The film's tone is extraordinarily flexible, holding within the same reality elements of the absurd, the ridiculous and the comic while sustaining a sense of tension and dread throughout.

Apr 7, 2024

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Michael Blowen

Boston Globe

Pacino's inner alienation transforms this film into something far beyond a simple historical recreation of an "actual" event.

Apr 7, 2024

Full Review

Pauline Kael

The New Yorker

One of the best "New York" movies ever made.

Apr 7, 2024

Full Review

Martin Carr

CBR

Dog Day Afternoon may throw calculated criticisms at the invasive nature of television media and explore the nature of criminality, but remains a perfect example of cutting-edge '70s cinema for those who want to be reminded.

Rated: 9/10

Nov 23, 2024

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Bill Morrison

News & Observer (Raleigh, NC)

What starts as a very funny movie -- on the order of a realistic escapade involving the Keystone Kops -- evolves into a very sobering drama.

Apr 10, 2024

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Todd Gilchrist

IGN Movies

[Pacino's] performance here is spectacular, and achieves a kind of nuance and complexity that few actors from his or any other generation have before or since achieved.

Rated: 8/10

Apr 7, 2024

Full Review

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Fabrícia F

Um assalto frustrado transforma a rotina de funcionários de uma agência bancária de Nova York. Neste drama, Al Pacino e John Cazale (in memoriam) interpretam de forma eloquente, uma dupla de ladrões desesperados que querem a todo custo escapar da polícia que os aguarda do lado de fora. Suspense ágil, roteiro inteligente, direção brilhante.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

11/18/24

Full Review

Farah R

Dog Day Afternoon offers a unique insight into 1970s New York while also showcasing one of Pacino’s most memorable performances. Based on a true story, the film brilliantly combines humor and drama without compromising the integrity of its plot or characters. It’s a very real portrayal of society’s social issues at that time.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

09/19/24

Full Review

Rami A

"Dog Day Afternoon" is a brilliant film from beginning to end. Not only is it one of the best films of the 1970s, it also houses one of Al Pacino's unforgettable performances. His performance as Sonny easily made him a fascinating character, with you wanting more as you go on with the movie.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

09/12/24

Full Review

Tyler G

Extremely overrated. A simple bank robbery gone wrong movie. Pacino is okay, but to hold this up a proof of a brilliant actor seems silly. A just okay movie.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

09/08/24

Full Review

Sams K

Al Pacino give us a stunning performance here! Iconic.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

08/23/24

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Dionisis T

Definitely Al Pacino's best role in his entire career and the film is definitely an immersive masterpiece!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

08/08/24

Full Review

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Sidney Lumet

Director

Al Pacino

Sonny Wortzik

John Cazale

Salvatore

Charles Durning

Eugene Moretti

Chris Sarandon

Leon Shermer

Sully Boyar

Mulvaney

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Synopsis

When inexperienced criminal Sonny Wortzik (Al Pacino) leads a bank robbery in Brooklyn, things quickly go wrong, and a hostage situation develops. As Sonny and his accomplice, Sal Naturile (John Cazale), try desperately to remain in control, a media circus develops and the FBI arrives, creating even more tension. Gradually, Sonny's surprising motivations behind the robbery are revealed, and his standoff with law enforcement moves toward its inevitable end.

Director: Sidney Lumet
Producer: Martin Bregman, Martin Elfand
Screenwriter: Frank Pierson
Distributor: Warner Bros. Pictures
Production Co: Artists Entertainment Complex
Rating: R
Genre: Crime, Drama, LGBTQ+
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Sep 21, 1975, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Aug 15, 2008
Runtime: 2h 10m
Sound Mix: Mono
Aspect Ratio: 35mm

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