Dog Day Afternoon [40th Anniversary Edition] [Blu-ray] [1975] [1998] [Region Free]

Muy contento

This film, based on a true story, concerns two inept bank robbers, Sal and Sonny, played by John Cazale, and Al Pacino respectivly. Soon after they have robbed a bank of $1100 dollars, for, thats all thats in there, the money having been picked up earlier that day, it is surrounded by 250 police, and news helicoptors hovering above, and the pair soon realise that escape is impossible. So they lock themselves in with employees of the bank, who then become their hostages, and there is a long stand off, as police try to negotiate with them.You get drawn into this film almost immediately, as the characters are totally convincing. It then goes on to delve into Sonny's life and why he needed the money. This film shows the brilliance of Al Pacino's acting abillities, and the signs were there of what he would go onto achieve in his later career, he is now one of the best actors ever.The transfer is in the film's original ratio of 1.85:1. Picture Quality for this release is good, the definition is pin sharp, and there are no problems with the mono soundtrack.

Other reviewers have rightly singled out Pacino's performance as a career best, as Sonny, the twitchy eternal optimist ("We're going to make it, right?"), and also John Casale's haunting and haunted performance as Sal, the sad loner with a dog-like devotion to Sonny.The essence of Pacino's performance is the brilliant balancing act between comedy and pathos, because he always plays the emotional truth of the moment, and lets the reaction come out of that. Improvisation is at the heart of his playing, and thirty years on it seems as fresh and "lived" as ever.But it's also worth commenting on the superb ensemble playing in the beseiged bank between the two robbers and the bank staff held hostage. The director Sidney Lumet gives a valuable commentary on the making of the film, and he puts his finger on what makes the film seem so "real". Partly it's in the single-day time frame of the script; partly it's in the austere refusal to use any music apart from Elton John over the opening credits; partly it's in the use of an extensive rehearsal period and allowing the actors to improvise; partly it's in the creation of the bank set on the real New York street so that characters go inside and outside in real time, without any sense of movie trickery.For 1975, the handling of the gay/transsexual theme was both brave and movingly done. It is cleverly introduced about halfway through the movie, after a deft feint. Sonny talks about wanting to see his "wife", and this is followed by the police interrogating a blabbermouth fat woman with two screaming kids. She is indeed his wife, but the "wife" who turns up is Leon, a drugged-up transsexual (Chris Sarandon) who Sonny has also married. It turns out that the motive for the robbery is to get money for Leon's sex-change operation. Because the film has built up so painstakingly Sonny as a character with a heart as big as a bucket, the audience took, and takes, Sonny's bisexuality in its stride. When he is finally about to leave the bank with the hostages, Sonny makes his will, leaving his life insurance divided between Leon ("who I loved more than any man has loved another man") and his heterosexual wife. This scene is the emotional heart of the movie, and lifts it way above run-of-the-mill heist films.The essence of the film is waiting: characters waiting to escape or be released. But the movie is not at all static, because of the emotional flows between the characters. In this, director Lumet brings a kind of European cine verite feel to a Hollywood formula. It's a great achievement.

Had it dvd now blue

very good dvd

Based on a true ocurrence this movie One of one of young Al Pacino's great performances. This time as a bank robber (Sonny) with a GOOD purpose (which is revealed only later in the movie) whose robbery goes drastically wrong. With not much help from his mate Sal (John Cazale) but with a lot support from the crowd outside (watch our for "Attica! Attica") the robbery turns into a long hostage-taking (with both sides agreeable) episode. Too much to tell but this movie must be one of the greatest of its time. Direction by Sidney Lumet magnificent and the acting overall great. This movie is old but timeless.

This is such a classic that it's almost superfluous to review it, but (fortunately) I came to the film knowing almost nothing about it. And that's definitely the best way to watch it, because the plot development is just breathtaking. So I'm not going to talk about the story. But what I will say is that this film definitively establishes Pacino as one of greats, because his performance has such depth and humanity to it, that I can't immediately think of any serious competitors. Simply one of the all time greats of cinema, if you haven't seen it you're in for a treat.

This Film Is An Underrated Classic! Pacino’s Performance Is Exceptional As Is Cazale’s. The Product Itself Includes Two Discs Which Is Awesome! One Features The Movie And A Commentary Track With Director, Sidney Lumet. The Other Disc Features A Load Of Special Features Including A Four Part Making Of Documentary. If You Buy This Movie...You Won’t Be Disappointed.

This is Al Pichino at his best. An all time classic

Sidney Lumet est THE cinéaste indépendant américain. Très peu de film de sa filmographie sont ratés. Quasi que des œuvres majeures. Ici, c'est est une de taille. Pacino en braqueur de banque et Lumet pour nous tirer le portrait de ce malfrat mais également celui de l'Amérique et de ce qu'elle engendre comme comportements. Critique des médias au passage. Bref, du cinéma du milieu à plusieurs niveaux de lecture qu'on peut revoir de tous temps pour y découvrir chaque fois un message. Classique.

Al Pacino in seiner Bestform als Schauspieler!Ein absolut sehenswerter Film,der auch die psychologischen Hintergründe beleuchtet!Und das Making off des Films mit allen Schauspielern,Regiesseur und allen Beteiligten Jahre später ist supergut gefilmt und es wird alles logisch aufgeklärt!!Und es gibt auch eine deutsche Version!!

The item is probably fine but really disappointing that the cover is badly water damaged. It was sealed in plastic so how it sustained the damage is a mystery.

One of the best crime drama films!!! And One of Sidney Lumet's best jobs of directing and one of Al Pacino's best performances (as a bisexual bank robber) come together in a populist thriller film.