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Serpico
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Serpico

1973
Drama, Crime
2h 10m
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Avg Percentile 65.61% from 3250 total ratings

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(3250)
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Rated 06 Apr 2023
71
70th
This movie is a lot more about facial hair than it is about corruption, and it's entirely about corruption.
Rated 28 Nov 2008
8
82nd
Pacino's facial hair deserves an Oscar for this.
Rated 29 Apr 2009
7
69th
If Taxi Driver is a 10 in terms of gritty 70s character dramas, Serpico lands at about a 7. The story is a straight-forward "corrupt cops" story you've probably seen before, but Lumet does a good job elevating the material so it doesn't feel like it, and for giving Pacino the platform for a very good performance.
Rated 16 Jun 2013
60
54th
A love story between a face and a beard.
Rated 28 Jun 2011
88
87th
70's as fuck. Which in this case, is a good thing.
Rated 24 May 2020
70
52nd
I wanted more of Pacino and the sheepdog. Can you imagine this film if 90s Pacino was in it? A lot more talk about really big ass corruption.
Rated 27 Feb 2010
87
87th
Al Pacino's brilliant performance and Sidney Lumet's flawless direction transforms what would have been a decent cop drama to a great film, albeit the score was rather cheesy and innapproraite at times.
Rated 09 Sep 2012
75
92nd
Has the gritty 70's film style but is vastly different to some of its brethren. This isn't revenge or vigilantism it's just a cop trying to do what is right without losing himself in the bullshit.
Rated 03 Jun 2011
95
97th
Lumet and Pacino are a great match. The 2 hours just flew by as I watched Pacino put in one of his best performances.
Rated 11 Jan 2012
90
85th
This is one of the best films I've ever seen at showing the division between work life and home life. In most films, ESPECIALLY cop films, the character never stops being a cop. When we see Serpico lounging outside his apartment in a pink collared shirt listening to opera, he's not defined by his job at all. In fact, the breakdown of his relationship was because he failed to continue drawing that line between work life and home life.
Rated 30 May 2008
87
93rd
Pacino pulls of an awesome straight and narrow cop that you really feel for.
Rated 09 May 2008
70
53rd
Hep
Rated 27 Apr 2008
73
64th
Story is pretty average (based on a true story, but still not terribly fascinating), and it definitely drags in a couple places, but Pacino is great. He really needs to work with Lumet more often, because between this and Dog Day Afternoon, I think Lumet gets the best performances out of him.
Rated 28 Feb 2010
70
28th
Possibly the only reason this film is anything other than entirely generic is the fact that it harbor's Pacino's excellent performance, otherwise the film is a bit too by-the-numbers, there's nothing revolutionary being done here in any fashion, be it the cinematography, soundtrack, or treatment of the material. It's entertaining though, engaging and well worth a watch, especially for Pacino's spin as Frank Serpico.
Rated 13 Aug 2010
100
94th
The pulse in this film is genuine and alive, counting that its about corruption, a man risking his life to confront it, it means this movie moves with a righteous body through to the end.
Rated 09 May 2013
74
67th
I want to see a Serpico-Scarface crossover now, where Al Pacino plays both parts.
Rated 22 May 2012
88
87th
I like my movies to get the rape and dick kicks out of the way early so I can have long scenes involving beards later on. Lets be honest, not as good as Dog Day Afternoon, but Pacino and Lumet make a winning combination in a movie about the nearly impossible task of fighting corruption. (Special shout out to Charlie from It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia for his just as memorable parody.)
Rated 08 Feb 2016
84
87th
Al Pacino gives an outstanding performance in this film. It is one of the best performances in his entire career. The script is good and keeps things interesting throughout the film. Sidney Lumet does a great job at directing the actors and he gets great performances out of them. I would highly recommend this classic drama.
Rated 01 Jan 2011
90
51st
Story of a honest cop who struggles against the corrupt system. Excellent (career best?) performance by Al Pacino - you forget him and start seeing the hip honest tormented cop in a short while - no histrionics, nothing overly dramatic. His performance is also matched by other cops and suck you into the struggle. The performances of lead females was good but nothing exceptional. A good movie that maintains the grey line between good and bad till the end.
Rated 23 Apr 2012
100
99th
I've always considered Pacino to be a great actor (especially after seeing Dog Day Afternoon) but this can be looked upon as the performance that made him one of my favorites. Of course he had help from one of the all time greatest directors Sidney Lumet. The two of them are just magic and every scene is drenched in their wonderful aura.
Rated 15 Jul 2011
79
72nd
Nice gritty 70s atmosphere. Jumps around a bit too much, but Pacino's acting is hypnotic and uncompromising, holding the film together and making us care.
Rated 14 Mar 2008
88
87th
I love Pacino in this role as a good cop who won't bend his morals even at the risk of personal harm. There is something oddly powerful about his short stature and hippie dress combined with his unflinching sense of right and wrong.
Rated 17 May 2014
65
37th
Al Pacino is the Atlas of Serpico, his central performance is the strength of the entire movie, with other aspects being only a little more than serviceable. The real Serpico seems like a good guy, but the dedication to the presumed facts is likely what drags the entertainment value down. The narrative gets extremely formulaic as Serpico is continually dragged around, dealing with the same opposition and dashing hopes for hours. At least we truly feel his seemingly endless frustration.
Rated 11 Feb 2007
80
95th
Pacino at his best.
Rated 17 Oct 2009
80
86th
The story of the NYPD's greatest beard.
Rated 22 Feb 2014
80
68th
It's almost comical how squeaky clean and heroic Serpico remains throughout the whole movie. I could have done with a little bit of grey in there. But that's not a huge deal. And Pacino isn't as cartoonish as I was expecting, and the few scenes where he goes off the rails are understandable considering the character's frustrations. I just love the way Sidney Lumet directs movies. You feel every shot and every cut right down in your balls.
Rated 01 Mar 2007
3
38th
Pacino, Lumet, 70s NY, you need a map?
Rated 21 Sep 2014
9
91st
Serpico is without doubt one of my favourite police dramas and the great Al Pacino gives an absolute masterclass. His performance feels effortlessly real and honest. Atmospherically it's incredibly engrossing and the overall look and feel of the film just feels so real. Sidney Lumet's overall direction is solid and the pacing is perfect. Sporting the wackiest undercover wardrobe and fastest growing beard ever captured on film, Pacino's understated performance is raw talent and forever iconic.
Rated 27 Oct 2011
81
69th
This feels like a sane reaction to the protofascist DIRTY HARRY. Pacino is compelling and makes Serpico's integrity feel like a true passion rather than grandstanding heroics. The cast is also populated with a slew of "hey it's that guy!" actors. The film (based on a true story) has a gritty realism and a narrative that makes economical use of jump cuts without disorienting the viewer. It's not the kind of movie that's worth getting too excited about, but it's very solid and watchable.
Rated 27 Jan 2016
63
54th
Serpico was a career defining film for Pacino. It represented the point where he made the leap from respected actor to major star. Like the French Connection, it was a 'new' type of cop film: gritty and unapologetic. It spoke directly to the newfound cynicism towards authority that was fashionable at the time. However, police corruption is a well worn theme now and Serpico isn't distinguished enough to stand out like it once did. Worth a look for Pacino and his magnificent beard though.
Rated 07 Jul 2008
5
93rd
It is a testament to Sidney Lumet's achievements as an artist - and perhaps more cynically, society's slow march of progress - that his films remain relevant and cognizant works, untarnished by age or a sense of superior moral vanity, but rather they are authentically colored and shaded works of social realism. Pacino and Lumet, here and in Dog Day Afternoon, are at the height of their powers. This is just a beautifully written, shot, and performed film.
Rated 07 Mar 2008
75
76th
Drags a bit in parts, but ultimately a great character-driven cop drama. Pulls apart the saga surrounding Frank Serpico quite admirably. Pacino is as great as you'd expect him to be at the peak of his career. Writing is ace, and Lumet is a capable director, for sure.
Rated 07 Feb 2024
80
87th
Great script with a lot of sharp dialog, radiant role by Pacino who's actually surpremely weird but believable as a midget hippie fighting for justice. I forgot how good this movie was
Rated 01 Jun 2009
80
80th
A powerful performance from Al Pacino in an emotional and psychological trajectory of a great character, Serpico, against corruption.
Rated 26 Jul 2010
94
85th
Pacino is brilliant and Lumet outdoes himself
Rated 02 Feb 2007
98
97th
Em honra de Martin Bregman (1926 - 2018), produtor que deu o protagonismo ao Al Pacino em boa parte de seus maiores sucessos, começando com Serpico e seguindo com Dog Day Afternoon, Scarface, Sea of Love e Carlito's Way. Ainda mais grandioso do que me lembrava, é impressionante como Lumet só fez obras-primas naquela década e só encontrou rival no cinema americano na figura do Coppola, este provavelmente é o melhor e mais visceral filme sobre a polícia já feito. DVD duplo Versátil
Rated 19 Jan 2012
85
84th
My new hero!
Rated 26 Sep 2017
16
75th
8/8
Rated 14 Aug 2007
75
74th
Al Pacino as a swinging, pot smoking hippie cop who is fighting endemic corruption in the NYPD. Pretty dated but excellent.
Rated 12 May 2012
86
78th
One of the all-time great career performances of Pacino. The film does a great job of developing a feeling of claustrophobia as it often seems that there is simply no way out for Serpico. However the supporting cast can't quite live up to the performance of Pacino here and some shots and parts of the soundtrack seem a bit out of place, it doesn't take much away though as the movie is nicely tied with a ribbon in the end and definitely a must-see for Pacino fans.
Rated 28 Jan 2013
70
51st
Often dry, but Pacino is likable and Lumet's hand is assured.
Rated 23 Feb 2013
90
91st
More subdued than I expected, but it's great. I don't think I could ever get tired of gritty 70's NYC.
Rated 21 Nov 2009
78
91st
A man of principle--who pays for it. I love stories like this.
Rated 11 Jan 2018
80
68th
Al Pacino at his greatest.
Rated 29 Dec 2013
89
96th
Can we all talk about how cool that sheepdog is?
Rated 28 Feb 2015
78
66th
"Al what we need in this next scene is crazier facial hair." "Done."
Rated 27 Aug 2008
83
76th
Once again Al Pacino rocks.
Rated 11 Jul 2015
90
90th
Serpico is Pacino's Taxi Driver. Lumet's direction is utter perfection and his cinematography is matching here, as Pacino leads this vessel into the stratosphere. The supporting cast isn't all that good at all, but that doesn't hold the movie back. A great, great flick worthy of at least one watch.
Rated 01 Aug 2009
81
86th
Up there with Pacino's very best performances. In general an all round classy movie. Beard.
Rated 28 Jul 2009
2
40th
Good performance by Pacino, and Lumet seldom fails. It does, however, leave me a bit unaffected, and the music seems out-of-place in certain scenes.
Rated 02 Feb 2013
90
59th
Very true about police even today
Rated 27 Feb 2010
5
80th
Much going for and against it.
Rated 27 Aug 2013
77
74th
The film has a lot of old school values that flesh out a character that new films don't do.
Rated 18 Apr 2016
93
94th
Our Daily Free Stream (...) Die Tragödie Serpicos besteht nicht nur darin, dass seine Umgebung unerträglich ist für ihn - viel mehr wurde sein Traum zerstört! Ganz am Ende, wenn er leise beginnt zu weinen, fühlen wir unendlich viel Mitleid für Serpico: Nicht nur wegen seiner erlittenen Enttäuschung, vor allem für den Zynismus, der nun seinen Charakter ausmacht.
Rated 17 Mar 2007
95
99th
They simply don't make movies like this anymore. As of 2007, there has not been a multi-award-winning int'lly-worshipped critical-darling "masterpiece" in the past 10 years that this cop drama's script does not wipe the floor with. And it's not like this is the best-written movie of the 70s or anything. Anyway, Lumet is great, Pacino gives the performance of his lifetime, but most importantly the writing is top-notch. Just wish it went on a bit longer at the end with more of what happened.
Rated 27 Dec 2009
65
59th
Outstanding performance by Pacino. The story is a little dull so not a classic, but still a really good watch.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
72
81st
My distant recollection is that it is quite well done.
Rated 27 Dec 2010
71
48th
Well directed, and Pacino is great. But there's nothing else to grab on to here.
Rated 26 Oct 2012
78
79th
* Casting, Acting : 9 * Script : 8 * Directing, Aura : 8 * Ease of Viewing : 7 * Naked Eye : 7
Rated 20 Aug 2014
73
58th
Polis, yeni polis, yozlasma, rüsvet, mücadele
Rated 30 May 2008
77
82nd
If you want to know why Al Pacino is considered one of Hollywood's greatest actors, this movie should be proof of his acting capability. After watching Serpico, I was so enamored with Pacino's beard that for a long time, I tried to grow one similar, albeit without much success. :-)
Rated 29 Nov 2008
64
20th
I didn't think much of this (sorry, Sid'). It's a bit cheesy, and the music is terrible.
Rated 04 Dec 2011
87
29th
far from my expectations!
Rated 12 Feb 2008
80
83rd
Pacino is as good as you'd expect him to be. In the middle the movie drags on a bit and repeats itself.
Rated 06 Jun 2019
80
52nd
Lumet delivers once again another powerhouse performance from Method Actors while remaining one of America's finest chroniclers.
Rated 12 Jun 2012
70
55th
Pacino good, story not so good.
Rated 02 Jun 2013
96
92nd
Exciting, if low-key, cop drama is highlighted by a superb performance from Pacino; a reminder of the marvellously subtle, understated actor we all but lost in the mid-90s. Lumet's feel for a gritty, venal New York gives searing authenticity to the complicated plot, and a gaggle of well-chosen character actors give life to the seedy settings. A great, undervalued 70s film.
Rated 10 Dec 2010
80
59th
Even if a movie is only just a set of good flowers on the field there is always the shining sun - Al Pachino who will warm them up and make them beautiful just as the whole movie.
Rated 25 Dec 2012
62
75th
interesting portrayal of an honest man in a corrupt organisation
Rated 03 Feb 2013
67
81st
It lacks the raw emotional power and dramatic unity of Dog Day Afternoon, but Lumet's direction of urban decay is still great, and Pacino's paranoid performance is stunning in its greatness.
Rated 24 Jul 2013
81
66th
Succeeds in filling in the details of Serpico's time as a cop and the establishing of his case as well as showing the effects it had on this man's life and psyche, portrayed excellently by Pacino. Sometimes it gets a bit too authentic and seems to leave me in the dark, but, hey, I don't know a whole lot about the crime scene in New York during the '70s.
Rated 21 Sep 2013
84
79th
84.000
Rated 08 Jul 2014
83
78th
I miss young pacino.
Rated 04 Aug 2014
85
63rd
New York City in the 70's is the best set in the world and quiet, doe eyed Pacino is the one I prefer. Film is great, book is phenomenal.
Rated 12 Dec 2012
77
51st
Not Lumet or Pacino's best work, but worthwhile. It's relatively understated and meditative, but there's not a whole lot of anything with which to engage besides Pacino, who plays the character with a subdued anguish that really helps push the mood of the piece. Of course, there's also that 1970's New York grit to give the film texture.
Rated 31 Oct 2013
87
83rd
Appreciated the grit and grime of 1970s NYC as Serpico searches for justice in a world virtually void of fairness and ethical behavior. Lumet's captivating opening sets the stage for an engrossing, steadily-paced film. The camera moves, but Lumet often allows the shots to breathe, pulling them wide and refusing to cut away. Such deliberation only heightens the investment in the lead character, a captivating but flawed martyr for truth and integrity.
Rated 06 Apr 2009
83
79th
Pacino is brilliant and Lumet's directing is as good as usual. Could've perhaps used some cutting in the middle.
Rated 06 Jun 2009
81
90th
Thought provoking movie which is driven by the authentic performance of Al Pacino.
Rated 12 Nov 2009
70
75th
Pacino at his best. He demands attention whenever he's on screen. Lumet puts his unique direction to the "good cop vs the corrupt system" story.
Rated 06 Jun 2011
8
80th
A solid watch yet I don't think you're allowed to mention anything about this film other than Pacino's mustache.
Rated 27 Sep 2015
61
63rd
A meandering and oddly paced thing that you come out of realising you really liked.
Rated 01 May 2015
81
85th
Nicely acted on a lead and I liked the directing as well. The story was acceptable, dragging quite a bit somewhere on a way though.
Rated 30 Apr 2007
71
92nd
I didn't really like this on 1st watch, but I'm glad I re-watched it as this time I really enjoyed the gritty, realistic style and NYC locations which Lumet always seems to nail. Pacino is great as Serpico, and makes a great transition from relatively clean-cut cop to this force of nature. Biggest flaws are the soundtrack (which doesn't fit the images) and the episodic nature of the story which is mostly a set of repetitive scenes with Serpico trying to make someone else act upon the corruption.
Rated 04 Feb 2008
90
75th
Pacino has such intensity so few actors could ever hope to achieve.
Rated 20 Apr 2016
94
76th
This is one of the best cop films you'll find. It's right up there with LA Confidential in my opinion. Don't get me wrong, it has its flaws, like the fact that the Jesus look-alike title character becomes a bit one-dimensional as the movie progresses, but it's still a darn good yarn, and a true one at that.
Rated 11 Feb 2010
89
88th
Great biopic, Pacino rules, etc
Rated 22 Jul 2011
75
75th
http://ib2.huluim.com/video/7566213?region=US&size=600x400
Rated 17 Sep 2008
50
72nd
ok
Rated 21 Jul 2008
80
91st
Pacino's great acting doesn't really omit the fact the movie is overstretched. Since it's based on a true story, the plot isn't that enthralling. Nevertheless, Lumet's excellent directing redeems the movie.
Rated 09 Jun 2011
100
84th
Great film from Sidney Lumet, Al Pacino is fantastic as Frank Serpico. He also has some mighty fine facial hair throughout
Rated 27 Jun 2016
83
81st
So wait, is Al Pacino Italian, Cuban, or Cop? because I don't think you can be all three.
Rated 30 Dec 2008
90
50th
Perhaps Pacino's best performance. My only gripe is that it can drag it's tail a little in parts but brilliant none the less.
Rated 02 Mar 2011
75
72nd
"Serpico" is the engrossing and sort of inspiring tale of the only righteous cop in the whole wide world. Well-shot by Lumet, solidly written and featuring Al Pacino delivering a wonderfully raw and compelling performance in one of his breakthrough roles, this is a successful cop drama. Working within the tight constrictions of a genre, Lumet pulls off quite a feat by making the film both compelling and relatively realistic. It is also painful to see how barely anything has changed since 1973.
Rated 03 Jul 2012
65
52nd
Good, but I was pretty bored with it at times.
Rated 02 Aug 2013
81
64th
There are few things more satisfying than seeing someone try to take down dirty cops! Having said that, I'd have liked to actually see those dirty cops get their just desserts! Very compelling story though.
Rated 30 Sep 2011
87
80th
Frank Serpico was literally 1 of a kind in his desire 2 take on entrenched corruption & Lumet crafts a worthy biopic. He's designed a pretty complete portrait here giving us many scenes of Serpico's off-duty life, some of which can feel extraneous to the main narrative about the staggering amount of bribery & payoffs occurring in the NYPD. They r necessary however in order 2 attempt to understand what drives a man so resolutely opposed 2 graft, that he puts his life on the line 2 do so.
Rated 26 Jan 2016
80
65th
Natural, and Pacino doesn't go overboard here, keeps the film flowing and endlessly watchable but not overstated. A great New York film, whatever that means to you.
Rated 19 Aug 2007
86
57th
Classic!
Rated 26 Jan 2010
80
42nd
Good slice-life cop drama with a very good Al Pacino performance. The direction, although highlighting realistic NYC locations, is often unfocused, and the original score by Mikis Theodorakis is as bad as 70's music gets.
Rated 20 Nov 2011
90
80th
Sometimes I think Al Pacino may have been the best actor of the 70's and that is one high honor. Of course Sidney Lumet was one of the better directors of the 70's turning out a few masterpieces, this one included. The script is great too and I love it whenever I can watch 70's New York on screen. It does a feel a bit too long but a classic nonetheless.

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