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Dog Day Afternoon
1975 125 min United States of America R 16+
★8.7
Crime, Drama, Thriller
Director: Sidney Lumet
🎭 Based on
«The Dog»
Trailers
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Description
Based on the true story of would-be Brooklyn bank robbers John Wojtowicz and Salvatore Naturile. Sonny and Sal attempt a bank heist which quickly turns sour and escalates into a hostage situation and stand-off with the police. As Sonny's motives for the robbery are slowly revealed and things become more complicated, the heist turns into a media circus.
Budget:
$1.8M
US Gross:
$50M
Worldwide:
$56.67M
Starring
Al Pacino
Actor
John Cazale
Actor
Penelope Allen
Actor
Awards
San Sebastián International Film Festival 1975
— San Sebastián Award – Best Actor
Academy Awards 1976
— Best Original Screenplay
BAFTA 1976
— Best Actor
Academy Awards 1976
— Best Actor
Academy Awards 1976
— Best Supporting Actor
Academy Awards 1976
— Best Director
Academy Awards 1976
— Best Film Editing
Golden Globe 1976
— Best Actor (Drama)
Golden Globe 1976
— Best Picture (Drama)
Golden Globe 1976
— Best Supporting Actor
Golden Globe 1976
— Best Director
Golden Globe 1976
— Best Screenplay
Golden Globe 1976
— Best Debut
BAFTA 1976
— Best Actor
BAFTA 1976
— Best Film Editing
BAFTA 1976
— Best Picture
BAFTA 1976
— Best Director
BAFTA 1976
— Best Screenplay
BAFTA 1976
— Best Original Score
Key opinion
Dog Day Afternoon is a masterfully directed crime drama that utilizes a claustrophobic setting to transform a botched heist into a poignant social tragedy. While opinions on the film's pacing and overall impact vary, it is widely praised for its naturalistic atmosphere and the profound performances of its ensemble cast.
| Acting | Al Pacino delivers a compelling and intense lead performance that grounds the film's shift from absurdity to tragedy. | |
| Acting | The film succeeds as a character-driven ensemble piece, with John Cazale’s melancholic portrayal providing a vital emotional anchor. | |
| Direction | Sidney Lumet’s direction expertly captures a naturalistic, documentary-like tone that effectively depicts the chaos of the escalating police siege. | |
| Screenplay | The screenplay masterfully balances black comedy and social commentary, shifting the focus from the robbery itself to the spectacle of the crowd and media. | |
| Pacing | The mid-film pacing is a point of contention: some viewers appreciate the contemplative, tension-building rhythm, while others perceive it as a flat or sluggish lull. |