Overview
A principled cop stands alone against a tide of corruption, risking everything for justice.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Brisk
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Layered
- Violence
- Moderate
- gritty
- tense
- disquieting
- serious movie night
- new hollywood double feature
What critics said
Critics broadly praised Al Pacino’s masterful, intense performance, Sidney Lumet’s gritty social realism, and the film’s intelligent treatment of police corruption, while some found its focus overly righteous and its supporting perspective limited.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Frank Serpico rejects police kickbacks and becomes isolated from colleagues who participate in corruption.
Sidney Lumet’s direction and Arthur J. Ornitz’s photography present New York policing with an authentic, almost documentary texture.
Serpico repeatedly appeals to higher authorities in an effort to expose routine extortion within the police force.
Refusing to go along with the prevailing system leaves Serpico without trustworthy partners and in life-threatening situations.
Films like Serpico, and why
Prince of the City
shared police corruption, social realism, moral idealism, and intense urban crime drama
The French Connection
shared new hollywood realism, institutional corruption, compromised policing, and morally driven protagonists
All the President's Men
shared biographical crime drama, principled resistance, and escalating conflict with powerful institutions
Movie Details
- Director
- Sidney Lumet
- Release Date
- 1973-12-18
- Runtime
- 129 min
- Rating
- 7.5 / 10 (2285)
Cast
- Al Pacino
- John Randolph
- Jack Kehoe
- Biff McGuire
- Barbara Eda-Young
- Cornelia Sharpe
- Tony Roberts
- John Medici
- Allan Rich
- Norman Ornellas
Where to watch in United States
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is Serpico about?
- An uncompromising New York police officer risks his career and safety to expose a culture of corruption within the force.
- What is Serpico like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Serpico as brisk, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as layered.
- Is Serpico violent?
- Somewhat. Ember rates the violence in Serpico as moderate.
- What did critics think of Serpico?
- Critics broadly praised Al Pacino’s masterful, intense performance, Sidney Lumet’s gritty social realism, and the film’s intelligent treatment of police corruption, while some found its focus overly righteous and its supporting perspective limited.
- Which films are like Serpico?
- Films with a similar feel include Prince of the City, The French Connection, and All the President's Men.
- How long is Serpico?
- Serpico runs 129 minutes.
- Where can I watch Serpico?
- In United States, Serpico is available to rent or buy from Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home.
