Films of the 1970s, No. 30


Throughout 2023 I'm looking at my favorite films from the decade of the 1970s. I'll be counting down from 50 to 1 throughout the year, posting a new installment each Friday. Agree? Disagree? Want to share a story? Post it in the comments below!

Serpico: Police corruption cannot exist unless it is at least tolerated at higher levels in the department.

Serpico (1973)
Starring: Al Pacino and John Randolph
Director: Sidney Lumet
About: I mentioned a couple weeks ago that the 1970s were a big decade for Pacino, who delivered incredible performances in meaningful films. This is another on his resume, a biopic on Frank Serpico, an honest cop in New York who suffered for his approach to the job. Here, Pacino plays Serpico. He's an honest cop who wants to do things the right way but he's met with opposition from colleagues all along the way. The corruption in the department is pervasive and soon, it pushes Serpico to do something, to act and speak out to try and get it to stop. It's a difficult and heart-breaking story. For the most part this film, which landed in between his first two iconic performances as Michael Corleone, is a showcase for Pacino as a performer. He works beautifully here as Lumet brings this story to life. It's not always a comforting or an easy watch, but it's a great performance and a fascinating story. It's a film that's held up well over the last 50 years.

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