# Dog Day Afternoon

> 1975 film directed by Sidney Lumet

**Wikidata**: [Q458656](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q458656)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dog_Day_Afternoon)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/dog-day-afternoon

## Summary
*Dog Day Afternoon* is a 1975 American crime drama film directed by Sidney Lumet, based on a real-life bank robbery in Brooklyn. Starring Al Pacino and John Cazale, it is renowned for its intense performances, social commentary, and portrayal of a botched heist that spirals into a media spectacle.

## Key Facts
- **Release Date:** September 21, 1975 (United States)
- **Director:** Sidney Lumet
- **Starring:** Al Pacino (Sonny Wortzik), John Cazale (Sal Naturile)
- **Genre:** Crime film, thriller film, drama film, heist film
- **Country of Origin:** United States
- **Production Company:** Artists Entertainment Complex
- **Runtime:** 125 minutes
- **Budget:** $1.8 million
- **Box Office:** $50 million (worldwide)
- **Awards:** Won the Academy Award for Best Writing, Original Screenplay (Frank Pierson); included in the National Film Registry (2009)
- **Critical Reception:** 8.6/10 (IMDb), 94% (Rotten Tomatoes), 86/100 (Metacritic)
- **Notable Recognition:** Listed in the National Board of Review's Top Ten Films (1975)
- **Cultural Impact:** Inspired by real events (1972 Brooklyn bank robbery by John Wojtowicz)
- **Legacy:** Considered a landmark in 1970s American cinema, blending crime drama with social critique

## FAQs
**What is *Dog Day Afternoon* about?**
The film follows Sonny Wortzik (Al Pacino), a desperate man who robs a Brooklyn bank to pay for his lover's sex-reassignment surgery. The heist goes awry, leading to a tense standoff with police, media frenzy, and unexpected public sympathy for the robbers.

**Who directed *Dog Day Afternoon*?**
Sidney Lumet, known for his socially conscious films like *12 Angry Men* and *Network*, directed the movie. His signature style of tight framing and realistic tension is evident throughout.

**What awards did *Dog Day Afternoon* win?**
It won the Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay (Frank Pierson) and was nominated for five others, including Best Picture and Best Actor (Al Pacino). It also appeared on the National Board of Review’s Top Ten Films list for 1975.

**Is *Dog Day Afternoon* based on a true story?**
Yes, it was inspired by the 1972 robbery of a Chase Manhattan Bank branch in Brooklyn by John Wojtowicz and Salvatore Naturale. Wojtowicz’s motive—funding his partner’s gender-affirming surgery—added a layer of social commentary to the film.

**Why is *Dog Day Afternoon* significant in film history?**
The film is celebrated for its raw performances, particularly Al Pacino’s and John Cazale’s, and its critique of media sensationalism, LGBTQ+ issues, and societal alienation. It remains a defining work of 1970s New Hollywood cinema.

## Why It Matters
*Dog Day Afternoon* transcends its crime-thriller premise to explore themes of desperation, identity, and media manipulation. Its portrayal of Sonny’s motivations—rooted in love and societal marginalization—challenged audiences in the 1970s and remains relevant today. The film’s documentary-like realism and moral ambiguity influenced later heist films and cemented Lumet’s reputation as a master of tension-driven storytelling. Its inclusion in the National Film Registry underscores its cultural and historical significance.

## Notable For
- **Iconic Performances:** Al Pacino’s Oscar-nominated turn as Sonny Wortzik and John Cazale’s final film role before his death.
- **Social Commentary:** One of the first mainstream films to address LGBTQ+ themes through Sonny’s relationship with Leon (Chris Sarandon).
- **Real-Time Tension:** Lumet’s direction creates a claustrophobic, almost theatrical atmosphere, heightening the stakes.
- **Cultural Legacy:** Inspired later films like *Inside Man* (2006) and TV series exploring botched crimes.
- **Critical Acclaim:** Consistently ranked among the greatest films of the 1970s by critics and film institutions.
- **Preservation:** Added to the U.S. National Film Registry in 2009 for being "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant."

## Body

### Production and Development
*Dog Day Afternoon* was produced by Artists Entertainment Complex and released in 1975. The screenplay by Frank Pierson was adapted from a *Life* magazine article about the 1972 Brooklyn bank robbery. Sidney Lumet, known for his gritty urban dramas, was drawn to the story’s blend of crime and human drama. The film’s budget was $1.8 million, modest for its time, but it grossed over $50 million worldwide, making it a commercial and critical success.

### Plot and Themes
The film opens with Sonny Wortzik (Al Pacino) and his accomplice Sal (John Cazale) attempting to rob a bank. The plan quickly unravels, leading to a hostage situation and a media circus. Sonny’s motives—funding his lover Leon’s surgery—are revealed, adding layers of tragedy and social critique. Themes of desperation, media exploitation, and LGBTQ+ identity are woven into the narrative, making it more than a typical heist film.

### Cast and Performances
- **Al Pacino** as Sonny Wortzik: Pacino’s performance earned him an Oscar nomination and is considered one of his finest roles.
- **John Cazale** as Sal Naturile: Cazale’s portrayal of the nervous, volatile Sal was his last film role before his death in 1978.
- **Chris Sarandon** as Leon Shermer: Sonny’s lover, whose surgery is the catalyst for the robbery.
- **Charles Durning** as Detective Moretti: The lead negotiator, whose patience and empathy contrast with the chaos.

### Reception and Legacy
The film received universal acclaim, with critics praising its direction, performances, and screenplay. It won the Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay and was nominated for Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actor (Pacino), and Best Supporting Actor (Cazale). It was also included in the National Board of Review’s Top Ten Films of 1975. In 2009, it was preserved in the National Film Registry for its cultural significance.

### Influence and Adaptations
*Dog Day Afternoon* influenced later crime films and TV shows, particularly in its portrayal of flawed, sympathetic criminals. Its blend of realism and social commentary set a template for films like *Heat* (1995) and *The Town* (2010). The film’s depiction of media sensationalism also foreshadowed later works like *Network* (1976), another Lumet classic.

### Technical Details
- **Runtime:** 125 minutes
- **Aspect Ratio:** 1.85:1
- **Sound Mix:** Mono
- **Color:** Color (Technicolor)
- **Cinematography:** Victor J. Kemper
- **Editing:** Dede Allen

### Related Works
- **Heist Films:** *The Killing* (1956), *Rififi* (1955), *Heat* (1995)
- **Lumet’s Filmography:** *12 Angry Men* (1957), *Network* (1976), *Serpico* (1973)
- **Pacino’s Collaborations:** *The Godfather* (1972), *Scarface* (1983), *Scent of a Woman* (1992)

### Cultural Impact
The film’s famous line, "Attica! Attica!"—a reference to the 1971 prison riot—became a cultural shorthand for protest and rebellion. Its exploration of LGBTQ+ themes was groundbreaking for its time, and its portrayal of media frenzy remains prescient in the age of 24-hour news cycles.

### Preservation and Honors
- **National Film Registry:** Inducted in 2009
- **American Film Institute:** Ranked #70 on AFI’s 100 Years…100 Thrills list
- **Library of Congress:** Recognized for its historical and aesthetic significance

### Behind the Scenes
- The film was shot on location in Brooklyn, adding to its authenticity.
- John Cazale’s performance was so intense that Lumet later called him "the greatest actor I ever worked with."
- The real-life John Wojtowicz reportedly approved of the film’s portrayal of events.

### Conclusion
*Dog Day Afternoon* stands as a masterpiece of 1970s cinema, blending crime, drama, and social commentary into a gripping narrative. Its legacy endures through its influence on filmmaking, its cultural relevance, and its status as a defining work in the careers of Lumet, Pacino, and Cazale.

## References

1. [Source](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0072890/)
2. [Source](http://www.allocine.fr/film/fichefilm_gen_cfilm=1621.html)
3. [Source](http://stopklatka.pl/film/pieskie-popoludnie)
4. [Source](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0072890/fullcredits)
5. Česko-Slovenská filmová databáze
6. [Source](https://www.oscars.org/oscars/ceremonies/1976)
7. The Movie Database
8. [Source](https://www.loc.gov/programs/national-film-preservation-board/film-registry/complete-national-film-registry-listing/)
9. Dog Day Afternoon. Rotten Tomatoes
10. [IMDb](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0072890/releaseinfo)
11. [IMDb](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0072890/releaseinfo)
12. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
13. [Box Office Mojo](https://www.boxofficemojo.com/title/tt0072890/)
14. Kinopoisk
15. [Source](https://www.kijkwijzer.nl/films/dog-day-afternoon/)
16. terjesztesre_kerulo_filmalkotasok_nyilvantartasa.xlsx
17. AlloCiné
18. List of film licenses issued from 1945 to 2020
19. film distribution certificate
20. Online-Filmdatenbank
21. Bechdel Test Movie List
22. mymovies.it
23. [Source](https://ui.eidr.org/view/content?id=10.5240/EC43-90FA-2021-2FEE-0D57-X)
24. Danish Film Database
25. [Source](https://www.acmi.net.au/works/83173)
26. TheTVDB
27. Trakt.tv
28. FilmVandaag.nl