These days, the story of a bungled bank robbery are pretty common but Dog Day Afternoon, based on a true story, was perhaps one of the first to be done well.

Sidney Lumet’s talent for making films set in one location, lacking a musical score and heavily reliant on brilliant script writing and incredible acting, is once again on show here. Al Pacino was in his prime playing Sonny, the “brains” behind the botched operation. Sonny holds up a bank with his friend Sal in order to steal money for his gay lover’s sex change operation. Needless to say, the robbery does not go to plan and ends up in a hostage situation surrounded by a myriad of policemen which subsequently turns into a media frenzy. Homosexuality, anti-establishment sentiment, the media phenomenon, Stockholm syndrome (as Sonny’s hostages grow to sympathise with their captor) are all dealt with and brought together by Lumet’s steady directorial hand, and a remarkable performance from Pacino. Pacino is well supported by John Cazale and Charles Durning as his partner in crime and the negotiating policeman.

A drama with its effectiveness and watchability enhanced by the fact that it is all true, Dog Day Afternoon is a very fine film indeed.

Review by Steph Wright Taken from EUFS Programme 2003 online HERE