Dog Day Afternoon (1975)
★★★★½ — Dog Day Afternoon (1975)
Sidney Lumet came to Dog Day Afternoon in 1975 on the back of Serpico (1973) and Murder on the Orient Express (1974), a run that had confirmed him as one of New York cinema's most dependable hands. The film is based directly on the real events of 22 August 1972, when John Wojtowicz and Salvatore Naturile attempted to rob a Chase Manhattan branch in Gravesend, Brooklyn, a story that P. F. Kluge and Thomas Moore first wrote up for Life magazine before Frank Pierson adapted it for the screen. Shot largely on location in Brooklyn, the production leaned into the sweaty, chaotic energy of mid-1970s New York, a city then in genuine social and financial crisis. It was also a career-defining moment for Al Pacino, arriving just two years after The Godfather Part II, and it gave John Cazale one of his most memorable supporting turns.
Brilliant from start to finish. Dog Day Afternoon is one of those films that grabs you right away and doesn’t let go. Based on a wild true story, it’s got this real, gritty feel that only 70s cinema seems to nail. You’re never quite sure where it’s headed, which keeps you hooked even though you know it’s building to something big. It’s tense, emotional, and surprisingly funny at times, in a dark, “can you believe this is happening?” kind of way. Al Pacino is just electric, as usual. He throws himself into Sonny with so much raw energy and vulnerability, it’s impossible not to be drawn in. You’re rooting for him even when you know he’s messed up. The way he talks to the crowd outside the bank, like he’s putting on a show but also genuinely connecting, is something else. It’s one of those performances that feels more like watching a real person than an actor doing a job. Sidney Lumet really knew how to make chaos feel human. The whole thing’s grounded, even when things spiral. It’s not just a crime drama, it’s about desperation, love, and being backed into a corner. Lost half a star only because the pacing drags a tiny bit in the middle, but honestly, it’s near perfect. Proper classic.
Rating: ★★★★½ | Year: 1975 | Watched: 2025-08-24
Where to watch (UK)
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Related on Movies With Macca
More from Sidney Lumet: Serpico (1973) · 12 Angry Men (1957)
More with Al Pacino: Scent of a Woman (1992) · Cruising (1980) · Insomnia (2002) · Scarecrow (1973)
More from the 1970s: Fantastic Planet (1973) · Here and Elsewhere (1976) · Italianamerican (1974) · Punishment Park (1971)
More crime: A Better Tomorrow (1986) · Angst (1983) · Stolen Face (1952) · Cairo Station (1958)
More drama: Viy (1967) · Wonder (2017) · A Better Tomorrow (1986) · Beautiful Boy (2018)
