Serpico later received a Bachelor of Science degree from City College of New York. Waldo Salt and Norman Wexler wrote the screenplay, adapting Peter Maas's biography of NYPD officer Frank Serpico, who went undercover to expose corruption in the police force. In front of the squad, Frank is sent to meet with division inspectors, who explain that his charges never made it up the chain of command. "[16] At Metacritic, which assigns a weighted average score out of 100 to reviews from mainstream critics, the film received an average score of 87 based on seven reviews, indicating "universal acclaim." He moves to Greenwich Village and begins dating Leslie, a woman in his Spanish class. Awarded the Medal of Honor for “conspicuous bravery in action”, he moved to Switzerland. [13] This version contains three video documentaries about the film, as well as a photo gallery with an audio commentary by director Sidney Lumet and a 44-page booklet.[14]. [2] An apartment at 5-7 Minetta Street in Manhattan's Greenwich Village was used as Serpico's residence, though he lived on Perry Street during the events depicted in the film. Frank and Blair go to the mayor’s right-hand man, who promises a real investigation and the mayor’s support, but they are stymied by political pressure. Waldo Salt and Norman Wexler wrote the screenplay, adapting Peter Maas's biography of NYPD officer Frank Serpico, who went undercover to expose corruption in the police force. The strain takes a toll on Frank, and his relationship with Laurie. Chief Sidney Green fears Serpico may have been shot by a cop. Serpico was born in Brooklyn, New York City, the youngest child of Vincenzo and Maria Giovanna Serpico, Italian immigrants from Marigliano, Naples, Campania. A total of 104 different locations in four of the five boroughs of the city (all except Staten Island) were used. Serpico was flamboyant and charismatic. Born into an Italian-American family, young Serpico idolized the NYPD cops who patrolled his neighborhood in the Bedford-Stuyvesant section of Brooklyn. Frank clears up the matter with Captain McLain but requests a transfer, with hopes of being promoted to detective. Frank breaks protocol to arrest the suspect himself, but is coerced not to take credit. The inspectors inform the commissioner, who orders them to investigate the division themselves, and acknowledges that McLain told him of the allegations. Serpico is a 1973 American neo-noir[5][6] biographical crime film directed by Sidney Lumet, and starring Al Pacino. When he discovers a suspect he arrested receiving special treatment, Frank brutalizes the man, whom he reveals served fifteen years for killing a cop. Reassigned to the “clean as a hound’s tooth” 7th Division, Frank immediately discovers further police corruption. [8] Waldo Salt, a screenwriter, began to write the script, which director Sidney Lumet deemed to be too long. Due to his less-than-conventional appearance and interests, such as ballet, and a misunderstanding in the men’s bathroom, he is accused of being homosexual. Striking up a romance with his neighbor Laurie, he reaches out to McLain for another transfer, and begins recording his phone calls. Produzion De Laurentiis International Manufacturing Company S.P.A. At the age of 17, he enlisted in the United States Army and was stationed for two years in South Korea as an infantryman. [20] The film was nominated for the Golden Globe Award for Best Motion Picture – Drama. Serpico consequently joined the New York Police force in 1959 in a bid to follow in the footsteps of his childhood heroes. The film was a commercial success. At his new precinct, Frank is allowed to keep his hair and beard, and to use his own clothes and car on patrol. He is deeply dismayed when during the grand jury he is prevented by the DA from answering questions that point up the chain of command. [9] Lumet took the helm as director just before filming. [12], Serpico was released on VHS and is available on Region 1 DVD since 2002 and Region 1 Blu-ray since 2013. [17], Pacino's role as Frank Serpico is ranked at #40 on the American Film Institute's AFI's 100 Years...100 Heroes & Villains list. [9], The story was filmed in New York City. Assigned to plainclothes duty, he befriends Bob Blair, who has been assigned to the Mayor’s Office of Investigations. The film and principals were nominated for numerous awards, earning recognition for its score, direction, screenplay, and Pacino's performance. Years earlier, Frank graduates from the police academy and becomes frustrated with his fellow officers’ laxness. He then worked as a part-time private investigator and a youth counselor while attending Brooklyn College. [18] Serpico is also ranked at #84 on the AFI's AFI's 100 Years...100 Cheers, a list of America's most inspiring films. Frank dismisses Blair’s suggestion that they go to other officials or the press. [20] The script won the Writers Guild Award for Best Adapted Screenplay. When Frank complains to people who keep dragging their feet about investigating and doing something about corruption, it becomes increasingly clear that their greatest fear and vulnerability is that he goes to any outside independent agency. Both Maas's book and the film cover 12 years, 1960 to 1972.[7]. The site's consensus states: "An engrossing, immediate depiction of early '70s New York, Serpico is elevated by Al Pacino's ferocious performance. In 1971, NYPD Officer Frank Serpico is rushed to the hospital, having been shot in the face. Both Maas's book and the film cover 12 years, 1960 to 1972. During a drug bust in 1971, Frank is shot in the face when his backup fails to act. [20], The film also received Academy Awards nominations for Best Actor (Al Pacino) and Best Adapted Screenplay. [1] The film went into general release on February 6, 1974, one week prior to the Academy Awards nominations. Knowing his life is in danger, Frank goes with an honest division commander and Blair to the New York Times, making his allegations public, and is reassigned to a dangerous narcotics squad in Brooklyn, where he finds even greater corruption. [20], Pacino won his first Golden Globe award for Best Actor in 1974 for his performance in the film. He informs McLain, who assures him that the police commissioner wants him to continue gathering evidence from the inside and that Frank will be contacted by the chief's office. Frank is given a bribe and informs Blair, who arranges a meeting with a high-ranking investigator. Serpico was widely acclaimed by critics. Frustrated after a year-and-a-half of police inaction, and no word from the commissioner, Frank informs McLain that he has gone to outside agencies with his allegations. [8] Another screenwriter, Norman Wexler, did the structural work followed by play lines. Prior to any work on the film, producer Martin Bregman had lunch with Peter Maas to discuss a film adaptation of his biography of Frank Serpico. An epilogue reveals that he resigned from the NYPD on June 15, 1972. Serpico is a 1973 American neo-noir biographical crime film directed by Sidney Lumet, and starring Al Pacino. [11], The film opened at the Baronet and Forum theatres in New York City on December 5, 1973 and in Los Angeles on December 18, 1973. A weekly television series based on Maas' book and the motion picture was broadcast on NBC between September 1976 and February 1977, with David Birney playing the role of Frank Serpico. He holds both American and Italian citizenship. The series was preceded by a pilot film, Serpico: The Deadly Game, which was broadcast in April 1976. But Serpico did not blend in with the other cops in Brooklyn’s 81st Precinct. [10] Lewisohn Stadium, which was closed at the time of filming, was used for one scene. The DA leads Frank to believe that if he testifies in a grand jury, a major investigation into rampant department corruption will happen. [9] At Rotten Tomatoes, it currently holds at a score of 90% "Fresh", based on reviews from 41 critics, and an average rating of 8.06/10. He enjoyed the finer aspects of life li… He recovers, though with lifelong effects from his wound, and finally receives a detective’s gold shield but rejects it. Serpico opened on two screens in New York City, grossing $123,000 in its first week. [20] He also received a BAFTA nomination for Best Actor in a Leading Role.[20].