“Dog Day Afternoon” (1975) directed by Sidney Lumet, starring Al Pacino, John Cazale & Charles Durning / Z-View

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Dog Day Afternoon (1975)

Director: Sidney Lumet

Screenplay:  Frank Pierson, story by Thomas Moore, based on The Boys in the Bank article in Life magazine by P. F. Kluge, Thomas Moore

Stars:  Al Pacino, John Cazale, James Broderick, Penelope Allen, Sully Boyar, Carol Kane, Lance Henrikson, Floyd Levine, Dick Anthony Williams, Chris Sarandon and Charles Durning.

Tagline: The robbery should have taken 10 minutes. 4 hours later, the bank was like a circus sideshow. 8 hours later, it was the hottest thing on live T.V. 12 hours later, it was all history. And it’s all true

The Plot…

On the morning of August 22, 1972, three buddies, Sonny, Sal and Stevie, first time crooks, went in to a New York bank.  They intended to rob it.  As soon as Sonny and Sal pulled their guns, Stevie lost his nerve.  As Sonny and Sal held the clerks at bay, Stevie apologized and ran away.

Things went downhill from there.

The bank’s daily cash pick-up had already occurred.  There was barely $1,000.00 in the bank.  Worse still, a silent alarm had been triggered during the commotion.  In no time the bank was surrounded by cops and onlookers.

It was a stand-off.

Because Sonny and Sal were new at this, their actions confused the police.  The cops thought they were dealing with hardcases who would kill their hostages without a second thought.  Their demands though were confusing.  They wanted pizzas for the hostages and themselves, transportation to the airport and a jet to take everyone (hostages included) to an undisclosed location.  When asked why they were robbing the bank, their answer: Sonny wanted to get his lover a sex change operation.

As crazy as this sounds, it is all true.  And would get even crazier before it was over.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Dog Day Afternoon received six Academy Award nominations and won one…

  • Nominee for Best Film Editing – Dede Allen
  • Nominee for Best Director – Sidney Lumet
  • Nominee for Best Actor in a Supporting Role – Chris Sarandon
  • Nominee for Best Actor in a Leading Role – Al Pacino
  • Nominee for Best Picture – Martin Bregman, Martin Elfand
  • Winner for Best Writing, Original Screenplay – Frank Pierson

Director Sidney Lumet was against the casting of John Cazale as Sal.  In real life, Sal was just 18 when the robbery took place. John Cazale was nearly 40, clearly too old for the role.  Al Pacino kept pushing for Cazale, so Lumet brought him in to audition and was won over.

This real life robbery became a model for police to learn how (and how not) to deal with hostage situations and unruly mobs of onlookers.

Sidney Lumet allowed his cast to improvise much of the dialogue.  When Al Pacino incites the crowd by yelling “Attica! Attica!”, Charles During looks confused.  He was.  Pacino improvised the line.  When Pacino asks Cazale, “What country he’d like to fly to” and Cazale responds, “Wyoming” it was another improvisation.  Pacino’s look of surprise was genuine.

Dog Day Afternoon features Chris Sarandon’s feature film debut.  Sarandon won an Oscar for his performance.

Dog Day Afternoon is classic.

Dog Day Afternoon (1975) rates 5 of 5 stars.