Serpico

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Serpico

R

1973

2h 9m

Crime

Drama

Biography

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

93%

Tomatometer

55 Reviews

88%

Popcornmeter

50,000+ Ratings

Frank Serpico (Al Pacino) is an idealistic New York City cop who refuses to take bribes, unlike the rest of the force. His actions get Frank shunned by the other officers, and often placed in dangerous situations by his partners. When his superiors ignore Frank's accusations of corruption, he decides to go public with the allegations. Although this causes the Knapp Commission to investigate his claims, Frank has also placed a target on himself. The film is based on a true story.

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Critics Consensus

An engrossing, immediate depiction of early '70s New York, Serpico is elevated by Al Pacino's ferocious performance.

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Ed Potton

The Times (UK)

... One of Hollywood’s most wince-inducing explorations of police corruption.

Rated: 4/5

Aug 18, 2023

Full Review

Peter Bradshaw

Guardian

Sweat and grit and fear pulse off it like waves; and there are dynamic streetscape scenes.

Rated: 5/5

Aug 16, 2023

Full Review

Wendy Ide

The Times (UK)

Sidney Lumet directs with his customary verve and grit.

Jun 28, 2023

Full Review

Sebastian Zavala Kahn

Loud and Clear Reviews

If the film still works, it’s because it depicts a version of New York City that feels both different and similar to the one that exists today. [...] More than fifty years might have passed, but the movie has lost none of its considerable potency.

Rated: 5/5

Jul 2, 2025

Full Review

Mike Massie

Gone With The Twins

Though Pacino delivers an iconic performance, the pacing here is largely off, as it builds, mostly suspense-free, to an ending that is already known - thanks to the opening moments.

Rated: 6/10

Aug 9, 2023

Full Review

Keith Garlington

Keith & the Movies

In the end the strengths of Lumet’s direction, Pacino’s performance, and Arthur J. Ornitz’s gritty cinematography are more than enough to get past the film’s handful of stumbles.

Rated: 3.5/5

Jul 24, 2023

Full Review

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andras gaspar p

This is one of the best crime movies.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

10/11/25

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Claire M

This is Al Pacino's best performance in my opinion. He truly is one of the world's greatest actors. His run of films from The Panic in Needle Park to The Godfather Trilogy to Dog Day Afternoon to Serpico to Scarface to Scent of a Woman to Insomnia and beyond is tremendous. Serpico is another collaboration with the late Director, Sidney Lumet, and it's a match made in Heaven.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

10/06/25

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Jerod S

70s New York City is rampant with crime. Young Al Pacino destroys this crime drama.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

09/19/25

Full Review

Kyle M

A growing breakthrough for Al Pacino’s dedicative conviction humanely embodies the factual significance through aesthetically pedestrian plotting and realistic gradual form of police corruption. (B)

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

08/21/25

Full Review

Rami A

Sidney Lumet's "Serpico" is a well-made film. It features some great acting from Al Pacino and strong plot points. Unfortunately, it falls flat in certain areas. The movie feels long and dragged out at many points. The story could have easily been trimmed down to an hour and 45 minutes at best. Additionally, this film lacks a clear indication of when events occur and how much time passes between each scene.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

05/19/25

Full Review

Yash B

"Serpico" mostly shines because of Al Pacino's great lead performance. The movie itself presents many interesting ideas, but somewhat iffy execution. I just found a lot of the movie to be a bit tedious to watch and think the whole package is just okay. I do think Pacino is giving it his all here and I can certainly see why it is one of his most famous performances. I can also see the topic of police corruption being timelessly important and this true story is certainly worth telling. Overall, it is a movie that is a bit messy in terms of pacing and storytelling, but it is still worth a watch because of Al Pacino's great efforts.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

03/09/25

Full Review

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Sidney Lumet

Director

Al Pacino

Serpico

John Randolph

Chief Sidney Green

Jack Kehoe

Tom Keough

Biff McGuire

Capt. Insp. McClain

Barbara Eda-Young

Laurie

Serpico: Official Clip - Police Brutality

2:13

Serpico: Official Clip - Bleeding to Death

2:11

Serpico: Official Clip - You're Firing Without Looking?

2:13

Serpico: Official Clip - A Marked Man

2:01

Serpico: Official Clip - I Love You, Paco!

1:35

Serpico: Official Clip - Get Dead Cards

2:06

Serpico: Official Clip - The Knapp Commission

2:01

Serpico: Official Clip - The Last Drug Raid

2:12

Serpico: Official Clip - Where's the Money?!

2:13

Serpico: Official Clip - What Kind of Shakedown Is This?

2:13

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Synopsis

Frank Serpico (Al Pacino) is an idealistic New York City cop who refuses to take bribes, unlike the rest of the force. His actions get Frank shunned by the other officers, and often placed in dangerous situations by his partners. When his superiors ignore Frank's accusations of corruption, he decides to go public with the allegations. Although this causes the Knapp Commission to investigate his claims, Frank has also placed a target on himself. The film is based on a true story.

Director: Sidney Lumet
Producer: Martin Bregman
Screenwriter: Waldo Salt, Norman Wexler
Distributor: Paramount Pictures
Production Co: Paramount Pictures, Artists Entertainment Complex, Produzion De Laurentis
Rating: R
Genre: Crime, Drama, Biography
Original Language: Spanish
Release Date (Theaters): Dec 5, 1973, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Jun 6, 2014
Runtime: 2h 9m
Sound Mix: Stereo

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