Dog Day Afternoon (1975)

A man robs a bank to pay for his lover's operation; it turns into a hostage situation and a media circus.

Director:

Sidney Lumet

Writers:

P.F. Kluge (article), Thomas Moore (article),

Stars:

Penelope Allen, Sully Boyar, John Cazale

Top 250 #181 | Won 1 Oscar. Another 13 wins & 17 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Penelope Allen	...	Sylvia
Sully Boyar	...	Mulvaney
John Cazale	...	Sal
Beulah Garrick	...	Margaret
Carol Kane	...	Jenny
Sandra Kazan	...	Deborah
Marcia Jean Kurtz	...	Miriam
Amy Levitt	...	Maria
John Marriott	...	Howard
Estelle Omens	...	Edna
Al Pacino	...	Sonny Wortzik
Gary Springer	...	Stevie
James Broderick	...	Sheldon
Charles Durning	...	Moretti
Carmine Foresta	...	Carmine

Storyline

Based upon a real-life story that happened in the early seventies in which the Chase Manhattan Bank in Flatbush, Brooklyn, was held siege by a gay bank robber determined to steal enough money for his male lover to undergo a sex change operation. On a hot summer afternoon, the First Savings Bank of Brooklyn is held up by Sonny and Sal, two down-and-out characters. Although the bank manager and female tellers agree not to interfere with the robbery, Sonny finds that there's actually nothing much to steal, as most of the cash has been picked up for the day. Sonny then gets an unexpected phone call from Police Captain Moretti, who tells him the place is surrounded by the city's entire police force. Having few options under the circumstances, Sonny nervously bargains with Moretti, demanding safe escort to the airport and a plane out of the country in return for the bank employees' safety.

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Plot Keywords:

bank | police | hostage | bank manager | airport | 

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Taglines:

In August, 1972, Sonny Wortzik robbed a bank. 250 cops, the F.B.I., 8 hostages and 2,000 onlookers will never forget what took place.

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Genres:

Crime | Drama

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Certificate:

R

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

21 September 1975 (USA)

Also Known As:

Tarde de perros

Filming Locations:

New York, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Artists Entertainment Complex

Technical Specs

Runtime:

125 min 131 min (1975)

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The real bank robber (John Wojtowicz) had watched The Godfather to get ideas the day he robbed the Chase Manhattan bank. Both Al Pacino and John Cazale were in "The Godfather".

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Goofs

When Sgt. Moretti and Sonny are negotiating for the cops to bring pizzas, soft drinks, and aspirin, Moretti is holding a bullhorn in his right hand. In the next shot, he's gesturing with his empty right hand. Then the bullhorn is back in his right hand again.

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Quotes

Leon: He won't listen to anybody. He's been very crazy all summer. Since June he's been trying to kill me.

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Connections

Referenced in Naked Gun 33 1/3: The Final Insult (1994)

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Soundtracks

"Amoreena"
(Elton John / Bernie Taupin)
Album "Tumbleweed Connection" 1970
This Record Co. Ltd.

User Reviews

It's just a great movie!

I've seen this movie and for me it's Al Pacino at his best! The movie has a very simple premise, two guys rob a bank, but everything that can go wrong does. In the beginning the women who work in the bank are afraid, but once the situation escalates into a sideshow, some the women become comfortable with the situation. Basically, the entire movie is in the bank and all types of comedy and drama surrounds it. This is Al Pacino early in his career and for anyone who hasn't seen the movie, I definitely recommend it. Just keep in mind between all the madness you see in the film that this is a true story, and very entertaining!