Based on Peter Maas’s book, Sidney Lumet’s classic explores the real-life experience of Frank Serpico (Al Pacino), a new recruit to the NYPD who quickly finds out how far those involved with the endemic corruption in the force will go to protect themselves. The focus on corruption within institutions supposedly there to protect and serve the public offered formerly blacklisted screenwriter Waldo Salt (an Oscar winner for Midnight Cowboy, also screening this month) another opportunity to examine the failures he saw at the core of American society. Both Salt and additional screenwriter Norman Wexler were nominated for an Academy Award for their work on the film. Director Sidney Lumet, brought onto the project after original director John G. Avildsen was removed, and star Al Pacino create a believable, claustrophobic world where venality is everywhere, and nobody can be trusted.

Notes by David O’Mahony