There have so many crooked-cops-themed films in the past 30 years that this film has lost a lot of its shock-and-awe. The long hair, wild clothes, beads, etc. really date this film, too, it being so early '70s in looks. It's almost become a "period piece" as if it were the Roaring Twenties except its the Sleazy Seventies.

All you have to do is look at the party scene in here and you'll get a glimpse at the early '70s, and most of it is not good. What IS good is Al Pacino's acting, of course. There have been very few films in which he starred that didn't displaying his acting talents to the fullest. This one, along with Dog Day Afternoon and few others, put him "on the map," making him a big star. He's been a "star" ever since.

This is a fairly long film but, like Pacino, it's rarely boring. The name of Pacino's character, "Serpico," has become synonymous with "honest cop." It demonstrates what a strong impact this movie had on millions of people.

Gritty? Yes. Profane? Yes; Memorable? Most definitely. When you speak of modern-day "classics," this film is one of them.

"Serpico" is a well made but incredibly depressing film. It's the story of a real life cop, Frank Serpico, and his experiences working in New York City....and the widespread corruption all around him. For about a dozen years he worked for the police and again and again he tried to get the higher ups in the department to investigate fellow police officers taking kickbacks from various hoods...mostly bookies, drug dealers and the like. However, nothing seemed to come of his allegations and ultimately very little seemed to happen to improve things each time he went to his superiors. In fact, things got VERY bad for Serpico and as you watch, you know sooner or later he'd pay for trying to do the right thing.

The film is very well made...with nice acting and a gritty realism. It's not surprising that the film was nominated for two Oscars...with one for Al Pacino in the title role. Well worth seeing and a great film...but also one that easily could leave you depressed because you wonder how much has changed since the early 1970s. In the case of Serpico, apparently BEING corrupt is looked on more favorably by your fellow police than turning in the corrupt cops.

This movie starts with a flashforward of Frank Serpico (Al Pacino) being horribly shot and brought to the hospital. In 1959, Serpico joins the NYPD as a patrolman. He witnesses corruption, brutality, and general criminality in the police force. As he rises in the force, he is constantly being placed in compromising positions. He refuses to take the dirty money. He dresses in his street clothes and beard. He tries to work within the system and even the mayor's office to no avail. He is hated by his fellow cops. With only a couple of supporters, he goes to the Times which leads to the Knapp Commission.

This is a wonderful performance by Al Pacino. He is powerful, righteous, powerless, and paranoid. Sidney Lumet brings the grimy side of New York. The story doesn't always flow since it's episodic following a real bio. However, there is a sense of rising paranoia and a sense of rising tension. It's a compelling telling of a story in a fascinating time.