Serpico (1973): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Plot
Serpico is a 1973 biographical drama directed by Sidney Lumet, starring Al Pacino and John Randolph. It runs 2 hours 10 minutes and earned $29.9 million worldwide. It won 1 award from 8 nominations, among them 2 Oscar nominations. Critics gave it 83 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 7.7/10.
- Released
- Runtime
- 2h 10m (130 min)
- Director
- Sidney Lumet
- Original language
-
English - Studio
- Paramount Pictures
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is Serpico About?
The premise of Serpico without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.
In a city rife with corruption, idealistic Detective Frank Serpico (Al Pacino) challenges the established system. He exposes widespread bribery and cronyism within the police force, leading to isolation and dangerous repercussions from his colleagues. When his concerns are ignored, Serpico takes the courageous step of exposing the corrupt institution that once protected him, risking his career and his life in the process.
Serpico Themes & Keywords
· 50 tags- police corruption
- police
- corruption
- new york city
- undercover cop
- corrupt cop
- female nudity
- female topless nudity
- man and woman in a bathtub
- nude black woman
- money
- 1960s
+38 more Show fewer
- hippie
- on the take
- police investigation
- police code of silence
- whistleblower
- neo noir
- surname as title
- one word title
- character name in title
- delivery truck
- meat market
- bagman
- triggerman
- fingerman
- nypd
- 1970s
- role playing
- based on real person
- 20th century
- united states of america
- work life versus family life
- work life balance
- male protagonist
- car
- u.s. car
- ford
- ford motor vehicle
- ford car
- honda
- loneliness
- procedural
- idealist
- fighting the system
- docudrama drama
- cop drama
- true crime
- police procedural crime
- social commentary
Serpico Cast
Al Pacino leads the cast, with John Randolph. Directed by Sidney Lumet.
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Director Sidney Lumet
Serpico Reviews & Ratings
Critics gave Serpico 83 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 7.7/10.
-
IMDb 7.7 /10
See on IMDb -
Metacritic 83 Metascore
User score 8.0
See on Metacritic
Serpico Plot Summary
What happens in Serpico from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 15 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 2-minute read.
Spoilers ahead
Frank Serpico, portrayed by Al Pacino, is seen bloodied and slumped in the backseat of a speeding police car, sirens wailing as he’s rushed to the hospital after a brutal gunshot wound to the face. The film unfolds his turbulent journey as a police officer beginning in 1960, where his passionate idealism drives him to favor non-violent methods for apprehending criminals. Distinctly principled, Frank resolutely stands against police corruption, particularly rejecting the culture of bribery that permeates the police force, which includes shakedowns and payoffs from illegal gambling and drug trafficking enterprises.
Full summary
The whole story of Serpico, scene by scene
Serpico Box Office
Serpico grossed $29.9 million worldwide. $29.8 million came from the US and Canada and $57,432 (0%) from the rest of the world.
Worldwide gross
$29.9M
- US & Canada
- $29.8M
- International
- $57.4K
Serpico Awards & Nominations
Serpico won 1 award from 8 nominations, among them 2 Oscar nominations. Its biggest night was the Golden Globes 1974, with 1 win from 2 nominations.
1 win8 nominations4 ceremonies
-
BAFTA 1975 3 nominations- Nominated Best Actor in a Leading Role – Al Pacino
- Nominated Best Direction – Sidney Lumet
- Nominated Best Original Music
-
Golden Globes 1974 1 win · 2 nominations- Won Best Performance in a Motion Picture – Drama (Actor) – Al Pacino
- Nominated Best Motion Picture – Comedy or Musical
-
Oscars 1974 2 nominations- Nominated Actor – Al Pacino
- Nominated Writing (Screenplay—based on material from another medium)
-
DGA Awards 1974 1 nomination- Nominated Feature Film – Sidney Lumet
Serpico Trailers & Videos
3 videos: 2 trailers and 1 featurette.
- Trailer SERPICO (1973) | 4K Restoration | Official Trailer | Dir. by Sidney Lumet & starring Al Pacino
- Featurette Adam Rifkin on SERPICO
How Well Do You Know Serpico?
10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.
Question 1 of 10
- Question 1: not answered
- Question 2: not answered
- Question 3: not answered
- Question 4: not answered
- Question 5: not answered
- Question 6: not answered
- Question 7: not answered
- Question 8: not answered
- Question 9: not answered
- Question 10: not answered
What year did Frank Serpico join the police force?
Cars in Serpico
34 cars on screen, including the 1971 Ford Custom 500 and the 1964 Honda CB 77.
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1971 Ford Custom 500 Important role -
1964 Honda CB 77 Important role -
1965 Ford F-Series Minor role -
1966 Ford Galaxie 500 Minor role
Serpico Also Known As
13 alternative titles, including “衝突” and “Serpiko”.
- Also known as
-
- 衝突
- Serpiko
- 冲突
- Серпико
- Σέρπικο
- סרפיקו
- 형사 서피코
- Серпіко
- Serpikas
- セルピコ
- سرپیکو
- Serpico - kadun tiikeri, სერპიკო
+1 more Show fewer
- เซอร์ปิโก้ ตำรวจอันตราย
Seen Serpico?
Movies Like Serpico
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including Frank Serpico, Confessions of a Police Captain and Cop or Hood.
Serpico FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Awards
Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, ratings, awards and post-credit scenes of Serpico, each answered in a sentence.
How long is Serpico?
Serpico runs 2 hours 10 minutes (130 minutes).
When was Serpico released?
Serpico was released on December 5, 1973.
Who directed Serpico?
Serpico was directed by Sidney Lumet.
More films by Sidney Lumet Who is in the cast of Serpico?
Serpico stars Al Pacino and John Randolph.
How much did Serpico make at the box office?
Serpico grossed $29.9 million worldwide ($29.8 million domestic, $57,432 international).
How is Serpico rated?
Serpico has 7.7/10 on IMDb and 83 on Metacritic.
What awards did Serpico win?
Serpico won 1 award from 8 nominations, including Best Performance in a Motion Picture – Drama (Actor) at the Golden Globes 1974.
Does Serpico have a post-credit scene?
No. Serpico has no extra scene during or after the credits.
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