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Documentary

Frank Serpico (2017): Cast, Ratings & Box Office

Frank Serpico (2017) movie poster

Frank Serpico is a 2017 documentary directed by Antonino D'Ambrosio, starring Frank Serpico, John O'Connor and Ramsey Clark. It runs 1 hour 38 minutes and earned $11,925 worldwide. It won 2 awards from 3 nominations, including Actor in a Supporting Role in a Feature Film at the IFTA Awards 2015. Critics gave it 75% on Rotten Tomatoes and 68 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.9/10.

IMDb rating
6.9/10
Rotten Tomatoes
75%
worldwide gross
$11.9K
awards won
2
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Frank Serpico (2017) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 38m (98 min)
Genre
Documentary
Original language
English
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is Frank Serpico About?

The premise of Frank Serpico without spoilers.

Frank Serpico’s journey reveals a courageous officer challenging corruption within the 1970s New York City Police Department. Growing up in Brooklyn, he quickly becomes disillusioned with the systemic issues he witnesses within the NYPD. His efforts to expose the corruption lead to a dramatic confrontation during a drug bust, resulting in him being shot. The events surrounding Serpico’s actions ultimately sparked widespread reform efforts and became the basis for a significant film.

Frank Serpico Themes & Keywords

· 50 tags
  • 1970s
  • crow
  • feeding a crow
  • 1950s
  • reference to arnold fraiman
  • subtitled scene
  • mythology
  • scythe
  • police corruption
  • courage
  • new york city
  • manhattan new york city
+38 more
  • police
  • police investigation
  • police officer
  • politics
  • name as title
  • bribery
  • italian american
  • brooklyn new york city
  • shot in the face
  • drug bust
  • interview
  • mirror
  • looking at oneself in a mirror
  • prologue
  • scene during opening credits
  • actor
  • archive footage
  • photograph
  • reference to peter mass
  • role playing
  • year 1972
  • columbia county new york
  • flash forward
  • flashback
  • snow
  • shoveling snow
  • bullet
  • man wears sunglasses
  • youth social worker
  • coal miner
  • grandfather grandson relationship
  • father son relationship
  • stabbing
  • robbery
  • marigliano napoli italy
  • grandmother grandson relationship
  • family relationships
  • dead grandfather
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Cast & crew

Frank Serpico Cast

Frank Serpico leads the cast, with John O'Connor and Ramsey Clark. Directed by Antonino D'Ambrosio; 10 actors are credited in all.

Also Starring in Frank Serpico

· 6 more
From the director

More from Antonino D'Ambrosio

More films directed by Antonino D'Ambrosio, best-rated first: Let Fury Have the Hour and We’re Still Here: Johnny Cash’s Bitter Tears Revisited.

Full filmography
Ratings

Frank Serpico Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave Frank Serpico 75% on Rotten Tomatoes and 68 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.9/10. Our Echo Score gives it 71/100, strongest in character & emotion (80) and weakest in rewatch factor (55).

71 /100

Frank Serpico Echo Score Breakdown

Frank Serpico presents a well-crafted yet occasionally uneven documentary that offers an engaging companion to the Lumet film while probing the life of its namesake. Reviews highlight its finely etched portrait of Serpico and its status as an informative refresher on his crusade, though some note a lack of deeper psychological exploration and occasional digressions in its focus. The film's balanced mix of archival material and interviews yields an instructive but not fully exhaustive account. Overall, the documentary provides a worthwhile viewing experience with moderate depth.

Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.

  • Art & Craft 70

    In terms of art and craft, the documentary exhibits careful framing and competent editing that support its narrative flow. The cinematography employs a restrained visual scope with clear archival integration. However, some critics note uneven directorial choices that lead to occasional pacing hiccups. Overall, the craftsmanship remains solid but not fully polished.

  • Character & Emotion 80

    When it comes to character and emotion, the film offers a vivid portrayal of Frank Serpico’s moral resolve and personal struggles. Interviews with associates enrich the emotional perspective, contributing genuine resonance. Yet the documentary stops short of extensive psychological analysis, leaving some nuance unexplored. Overall, the character focus is compelling but not exhaustive.

  • Story & Flow 65

    In terms of story and flow, the documentary delivers an informative narrative that outlines Serpico’s trajectory in law enforcement and whistle-blowing. Its measured pacing provides clear context, though occasional detours into peripheral stories interrupt its momentum. While the structure remains coherent and engaging overall, these tangential segments can dilute the central storyline’s impact.

  • Sensory Experience 60

    In terms of sensory experience, the film employs a straightforward sound design and a subtle score that underscore its reflective tone. The visual presentation leans on archival footage intercut with interviews, resulting in a coherent aesthetic but modest innovation. While technically proficient, the documentary’s sensory elements are functional rather than deeply immersive or stylistically bold.

  • Rewatch Factor 55

    In terms of rewatch value, Frank Serpico offers informative insights that may appeal on subsequent viewings for those interested in historical detail. The abundance of archival material and personal anecdotes can reward repeat viewings, though the film’s occasional narrative digressions may lessen its impulse for repeated engagement. Overall, its lasting appeal is moderate.

Box office

Frank Serpico Box Office

Frank Serpico grossed $11,925 worldwide.

2017 box office

Worldwide gross

$11.9K

US & Canada
$11.9K
Awards

Frank Serpico Awards & Nominations

Frank Serpico won 2 awards from 3 nominations, including Actor in a Supporting Role in a Feature Film at the IFTA Awards 2015.

2 wins3 nominations1 ceremony

Videos

Frank Serpico Trailers & Videos

The trailer of Frank Serpico.

Frank Serpico - Official Trailer l HD l IFC Films
Cars

Cars in Frank Serpico

9 cars on screen, including the 1992 Ford Bronco and the 2011 Peugeot 508.

All 9 cars
  • 1992 Ford Bronco in Frank Serpico 1992 Ford Bronco Important role
  • 2011 Peugeot 508 in Frank Serpico 2011 Peugeot 508 Minor role
  • 2011 Porsche Cayenne 958 in Frank Serpico 2011 Porsche Cayenne 958 Minor role
  • 2015 Porsche Cayenne 958 in Frank Serpico 2015 Porsche Cayenne 958 Minor role
Details

Frank Serpico Also Known As

2 alternative titles: “פרנק סרפיקו: חושף השחיתויות” and “프랭크 서피코”.

Also known as
  • פרנק סרפיקו: חושף השחיתויות
  • 프랭크 서피코

Seen Frank Serpico?

FAQ

Frank Serpico FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Awards

Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, ratings, awards and post-credit scenes of Frank Serpico, each answered in a sentence.

How long is Frank Serpico?

Frank Serpico runs 1 hour 38 minutes (98 minutes).

When was Frank Serpico released?

Frank Serpico was released on November 1, 2017.

Who directed Frank Serpico?

Frank Serpico was directed by Antonino D'Ambrosio.

More films by Antonino D'Ambrosio

Who is in the cast of Frank Serpico?

Frank Serpico stars Frank Serpico, John O'Connor and Ramsey Clark, among 10 credited actors.

How much did Frank Serpico make at the box office?

Frank Serpico grossed $11,925 worldwide.

How is Frank Serpico rated?

Frank Serpico has 6.9/10 on IMDb, 75% on Rotten Tomatoes, 68 on Metacritic and 62% on TMDB.

What awards did Frank Serpico win?

Frank Serpico won 2 awards from 3 nominations, including Actor in a Supporting Role in a Feature Film at the IFTA Awards 2015.

Does Frank Serpico have a post-credit scene?

No. Frank Serpico has no extra scene during or after the credits.

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