Dog Day Afternoon

Warner Bros. | Release Date: December 25, 1975

8.5	USER SCORE Universal acclaim based on 91 Ratings

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gracjanskiMay 13, 2021

Although it is not intended, the movie was so funny to me, like a satire. But the movie is also a good thriller and the characters are well written. Pacino is outstanding.

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BroyaxMar 19, 2022

Un film qui aurait pu et qui aurait même dû se révéler intéressant, au moins pour la prestation exceptionnelle d’Al Pacino dans le rôle du « gentil » braqueur accompagné d’un demeuré un brin paranoïaque et très prévisible… ce qui constitueUn film qui aurait pu et qui aurait même dû se révéler intéressant, au moins pour la prestation exceptionnelle d’Al Pacino dans le rôle du « gentil » braqueur accompagné d’un demeuré un brin paranoïaque et très prévisible… ce qui constitue d’ailleurs le point faible (parmi d’autres) d’un film extrêmement lent et poussif : tout y devient rapidement prévisible et sans surprise.

On doit également se taper toute une mélasse sociale fort peu crédible et définitivement balourde dont on a du mal à se sortir… Difficile de rester réveillé en effet devant cette chienlit réalisée par Sidney « deux de tension » Lumet : absolument imparable pour la sieste du dimanche après-midi, il peut remplacer Drucker au pied levé (s’il arrive à mettre un pied devant l’autre en tant que metteur en scène comateux, cela va de soi). Dans ces conditions exécrables, tous les efforts d’Al Pacino sont réduits à néant, de quoi être furax.… Expand

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amheretojudgeApr 17, 2018

i'm on your side on this one..

Dog Day Afternoon The sense of urgency fades away for a brief period of time in its middle act and that's the only weak link in this masterpiece that contains gripping screenplay, brilliant execution andi'm on your side on this one..

Dog Day Afternoon

The sense of urgency fades away for a brief period of time in its middle act and that's the only weak link in this masterpiece that contains gripping screenplay, brilliant execution and stellar performance working all the way up to the ladder. Sidney Lumet still needs to be a bit strict on editing part but other than that he has done a great job from his side. Al Pacino is as usual, brilliant on portraying this broken real persona and brings out the best of him without any support (he literally is a one man show in this one). Dog Day Afternoon hits hard and fast with amusing perspective that stays true till the last frame along with an intense showdown between the cat and mouse sequences in its last act that always will be the highlight of this feature.… Expand

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Cristofer21Aug 1, 2018

With strong emotions from the first minute,great performances and a great script,this movie is without a doubt my favorite movie and a masterpiece,thanks Sidney Lumet.

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DawdlingPoetNov 21, 2021

This is a very tense film, with good dialogue. Your constantly unsure of how things will develop, plot wise and obviously what the ultimate outcome will be for the hostages, as well as the two rather quirky main characters, Sonny and Sal. IThis is a very tense film, with good dialogue. Your constantly unsure of how things will develop, plot wise and obviously what the ultimate outcome will be for the hostages, as well as the two rather quirky main characters, Sonny and Sal. I found myself feeling empathy towards both the hostages and the hostage takers, which isn't always the case in such films. I found it particularly engrossing due to having read that its based on a true story - the film being based on a magazine article. I found it interesting the relationship between the police and Sonny, as the situation developed. I found myself questioning the actions of the police at times, in as much as there are numerous scenes with Sonny just outside the bank entrance, in clear view of the police and snipers, whereby I'd have thought it would have been pretty quick and easy to shoot him down and knowing its an American film, I was surprised that the authorities weren't more gun-ho. This is very much a character driven film and I felt there was a good amount of character development, with some witty dialogue thrown in. I thought this film was quite engrossing - its very tense at times and was certainly an easy and entertaining watch. I liked that the female hostages came across as generally quite sharp-tongued and certainly not very ditzy, which is good to see, given the fact its a 70s film. If anything, the main characters of Sonny and Sal come across as having more vulnerabilities than the bank staff, who keep their fear(s) to themselves.

This is a tense and engrossing film and the fact its, if in part, based on a true story, made it more intriguing a watch for me. I felt the performances were especially good and I liked the character development and plot pace, although if im to be overly critical then I suppose I may question the response (or lack of at times) of the authorities. I'm happy to recommend this film as a good example of a crime drama/bank heist based film, with good performances.… Expand

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Jcruise333Feb 4, 2021

Near perfect direction and near perfect acting. Most real characters I’ve seen in a movie in a long time. Definitely a must watch

0 of 2 users found this helpful02

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HabibiehakimSep 30, 2021

The movie doesn't even need to show a background story for Sonny (or John Wojtowicz, the real person name), the movie just get straight to it, and that's a very very right decision to do, it's perfect, so do the actor, the performance, theThe movie doesn't even need to show a background story for Sonny (or John Wojtowicz, the real person name), the movie just get straight to it, and that's a very very right decision to do, it's perfect, so do the actor, the performance, the story, everything, Dog Day Afternoon is an exciting and yet a very intense must watch true story film.… Expand

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Gamzguy17Aug 22, 2021

It is an intense character study on the effects of heavy mental stress.  Director Sidney Lumet brilliantly uses all aspects of the few locations to capture the turmoils of all the characters involved. This study is highlighted all the more byIt is an intense character study on the effects of heavy mental stress.  Director Sidney Lumet brilliantly uses all aspects of the few locations to capture the turmoils of all the characters involved. This study is highlighted all the more by one of Al Pacino's best performances alongside that of the under-appreciated Joe Casale.  Given the year of 1975 that this film was made, as well as being based off of a true news article in 1972, the film can be interpreted as a post-Vietnam whiplash effect on the American public (particularly the youth).… Expand

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MattBrady99Nov 15, 2018

LIFF32 (2018) #3

“Kiss me. When I'm being f**ked, I like to get kissed a lot.” Dog Day Afternoon is a fantastic 'bank robbery gone wrong' movie, but becomes so much more than that. I’ve been planning on watching this movie for awhile, butLIFF32 (2018) #3

“Kiss me. When I'm being f**ked, I like to get kissed a lot.”

Dog Day Afternoon is a fantastic 'bank robbery gone wrong' movie, but becomes so much more than that.

I’ve been planning on watching this movie for awhile, but failed each time. Now it makes me appreciate my patience after finally checking it out at LIFF (Leeds International Film Festival). Seeing this on a big screen rather than a small one made the experience even more special.

The run time of two hours and 30 minutes, which is crazy because none of it dragged. I loved every minute of it. I was surprised how comedic it is, as I originally expected it to be a crime drama. It's hilarious seeing the hostages who were scared at first, but eventually got so comfortable around the robbers, they toy with their semi-auto rimfire rifles. Even ordering pizza and sodas, and Sonny (Pacino) pays for it with bank money.

Al Pacino is one of the all time greats. His voice, facial tics, walk, hunch, accent, etc. There’s so much to pick up on his performance. He’s better than sex. John Cazale is a national treasure and left us way too soon. The chemistry between Sonny and Sal is dynamic. Sidney Lumet directing captives the entire event and makes it absolutely gripping, especially the climax which had me on edge.

Pacino is fire. Cazale is holy. Sidney is god.… Expand

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alejandro970Mar 25, 2020

Inspired on true life events, about how a failed bank robbery became a massive show and, one of the enforcers, a local hero for the underdogs and the LBGT community. This one of the early efforts of Al Pacino, and sited him under theInspired on true life events, about how a failed bank robbery became a massive show and, one of the enforcers, a local hero for the underdogs and the LBGT community. This one of the early efforts of Al Pacino, and sited him under the spotlight forever and ever. An essential of 70s. Recommendable for the COVID quarantine.… Expand

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MrPajamasApr 25, 2021

As soon as Al Pacino plays somewhere, I immediately take it for granted. So, when I found out about this film, where it plays the lead role and it's still a robbery, I said to myself, why the hell. Al Pacino is simply the best movie gangsterAs soon as Al Pacino plays somewhere, I immediately take it for granted. So, when I found out about this film, where it plays the lead role and it's still a robbery, I said to myself, why the hell. Al Pacino is simply the best movie gangster / mobster / robber. He just plays crime to number one. That's my opinion of the actors. Back to the movie. He won't let you wait long and we will find ourselves at the scene in the first minutes and the robbery begins. Fast pace. No planning. From the beginning, something happens all the time. After a while, however, the film will slow down, so if you are not interested in this topic or this event, which was filmed in truth, then it will probably not be very lively for you to watch. But for me a great film that I recommend.… Expand

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