Dog Day Afternoon

Brilliantly funny and tragic with a good level of unwavering suspense

This was fabulous. I loved how likable the Sunny and Sal were, even thier hostages loved them. I found some of the behavior of the hostages and the crowd strange though? Who cheers for a bank robber? What can I say, it was the seventies, people were weird. Amazing film.

A masterpiece of storytelling. Lumet's no-frills style, which goes for clarity above all else, still allows for subtle variety. The editing and writing make for great pacing, as well as finding humor while simultaneously keeping it human but avoiding sentimentality. The acting is perfect. Pacino is totally relatable, wildly kinetic, but always in control. No other actor can work up to such histrionics and still remain so grounded. Cazale, Durning, Sarandon, and the bit players are all terrific.

Creative, believable acting.There's something entirely satisfying about a bank heist of such "methodical planning" crumble with farcical spontaneity. A desperate circus, with all the laughs as such...but, the predominant question, at its core is this unadulterated comedy or abject tragedy?

A classic 70's "crime" film, though not as much a crime film as a character piece about a crime. Lots going on in this one: politics, sexuality, the media, psychology all interwoven with fantastic performances from Pacino, Cazele and the supporting cast as well. A great example of Lumet at the peak of his powers.

The first time I saw this movie I was a junior in high school and it blew me away. It was a strong influence for me as an actor for the following years, and one of my very favorite movies. Revisiting it now I see a different film, still great with terrific performances, but flawed in ways I didn't see before. I lowered my score for this film 12 points now from what it was before, I hope it can forgive me.

What a day.

At least 45 minutes too long.

One of Pacino's most bestest performances. And that other ugly guy from the Godfather is great too.

I can't imagine how I missed seeing this classic American film all these years. Perhaps I avoided the film because, from brief trailer clips, I thought it would just be Al Pacino scrunching his face and waving his arms a lot. It is really much better than that; in fact, it is an excellent film in all regards. The amount of suspense in the film surprised me, and all performances are superb, including that of Mr. Pacino.

Part of an era of great American movies made in the 1970's - this one has a young Al Pacino doing a great job.

Tight. Taut. Doesn't last too long. A thriller as they should be.

While it starts out as a fairly light black comedy, Dog Day Afternoon quickly spirals into gripping suspense.

A nervous thriller staring Pacino and Cazale, former Corleone brothers, as inexperienced bank-robbers on a hot Brooklyn day. Released in 1975, this movie resonates an uneasy turbulence about the precarious nature of the United States, perhaps seen in Pacino's character of Sonny, a decent man who finds himself in an indecent society. Police brutality, Vietnam, and qualms about homosexual identity violently corrode what was intended to be a simple bank heist...

I've recommended this to everyone I've talked to since seeing it. A friend said "absolutely incredible movie and maybe the first one that made me realize how good they can be" and I don't know that I could review it any better. It really unlocked something for me.

javascript:submitRanking('4437','2','14336') Submit

The first half is pretty decent, but the second half is a massive let down and drags terribly. Didn't find the behaviour of the hostages believable in the slightest either.

One of my favorites. What's not to love? Al Pacino's brilliant performance? The endlessly witty script? The impressive camerawork? If you haven't seen this, do yourself a favor and watch it NOW.

pacino gives the best performance ive ever seen

Ridiculous and hilarious. Suspense and drama are used when necessary but aren't overdone. The lack of a score works extremely well. More movies should do this. Performances and script are great. The way Sonny and Sal are taken down is a little stupid, though.

Four words: I love Al Pacino.

If anyone has any question as to why Al Pacino is considered one of the greatest actors of all time, go back and watch this gem again...and again...

It's good in every department, but it doesn't "grab me" or evoke any emotions. It feels bit tedious. ***

Another masterpiece signed by Sidney Lumet. Superb, a wonderful dark comedy, a simple drama and a lot of tension.

best bank robbery movie

Al Pacino is great in this. Probably my favourite performance. Try to see it without reading the back of the DVD.

Al Pachno's Best.

AL PACINO AND THE TRANNY....GOOD MOVIE THOUGH

supremely solid

Tragicomic story of bungling bank robbers. Great performances with some clever mockery of robber movie cliches and the notions of counterculture.

Pacino and Cazale were really great.

classic 70's Al Pacino film

Fantastic film. Very much of its time, but strangely that's helped it not age badly.

One the most intense movies I have ever seen. Director Sidney Lumet does a great job of making us root for the bad guys. The performances of Pacino and Cazale are excellent too and especially Cazale strikes me as particularily good in this movie. Pacino's character on the other hand probably is the ultimate anti-hero and Pacino does a great job of acting out the role.

Very good acting and character work. John Gazale features Al Pacino after the GodFather.

At its best if you take it as a comedy, albeit a one that can be melancholic. Based on true events, this is likely way too likeable compared to reality, given the subject on crime and media circuses, and to be honest I love this film because of that.

Great watch. Al in his prime.

Attica! ... Pacino Rules

Oh lord...he is a movie among movies. You can't see this on tv. DVD is the way to go, Al just guts out a performance that will shake you from you bootstraps. A classic.