Misplaced Pages

#378621

72-523: Serpico is a 1973 American biographical crime drama film directed by Sidney Lumet and starring Al Pacino in the title role. The screenplay was adapted by Waldo Salt and Norman Wexler from the book written by Peter Maas , with the assistance of its subject Frank Serpico . The story details Serpico's struggle with corruption within the New York City Police Department during his eleven years of service, and his work as

144-524: A whistleblower that led to the investigation by the Knapp Commission . Producer Dino De Laurentiis purchased the rights from Maas. Agent Martin Bregman joined the film as co-producer. Bregman suggested Pacino for the main part, and John G. Avildsen was hired to direct the film. Pacino met with Serpico to prepare for the role early in the summer of 1973. After Avildsen was dismissed, Lumet

216-577: A Fairytale (2006), and Howard Stern in Private Parts (1997). In 2018, the musical biopic Bohemian Rhapsody , based on the life of Queen singer Freddie Mercury , became the highest-grossing biopic in history at the time. In 2023, it was surpassed by Oppenheimer , based on the life of J. Robert Oppenheimer and the creation of the atomic bomb in World War II. Judd Hirsch Judd Seymore Hirsch (born March 15, 1935)

288-600: A Greek orchestra and told Lumet that he could not be present for the spotting session . Lumet offered the help of Bob James , who would sit with the director for the spotting. To inform of the progress of the sessions and possible changes on the arrangements, James flew to the cities where Theodorakis appeared to work the details. The film was released on December 5, 1973, in New York and on December 18 in Los Angeles. The opening week in New York garnered $ 123,000. Serpico

360-522: A Tony Award in 1986. More recently Hirsch guest-starred on episodes of Warehouse 13 , Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip , Law & Order: Special Victims Unit , God Friended Me , and The Whole Truth (he reunited with Numb3rs co-star Rob Morrow), among others and lent his voice to the animated programs Tom Goes to the Mayor and American Dad! Judd has also appeared several times on

432-414: A breakthrough role for Pacino as an actor, and called his work "fascinating". The newspaper defined the film as an "encouraging morality tale". Meanwhile, San Francisco Examiner observed Pacino's acting to be "a brilliant, solidly thought out performance". The publication added that the supporting cast's contributions "never satisfactorily fleshed out". Regarding Lumet, the reviewer felt that he directed

504-687: A dangerous narcotics squad in Brooklyn . During a raid on a drug trafficker's apartment, Serpico's partners hold back at a critical moment, and Serpico gets shot in the face. After a long, painful recovery, he testifies before the Knapp Commission , a government inquiry into NYPD corruption. Frank Serpico resigned from the NYPD on June 15, 1972, was awarded the NYPD Medal of Honor for "conspicuous bravery in action", and moved to Switzerland. In addition, F. Murray Abraham appears in an uncredited role as

576-637: A role that he later reprised in its 2016 sequel . In 2001, he played a Princeton University professor in the Academy Award-winning film A Beautiful Mind . Hirsch has more recently had supporting roles in acclaimed films such as The Meyerowitz Stories (2017) and Uncut Gems (2019). Hirsch co-starred on the CBS Television drama Numb3rs (2005–2010) as Alan Eppes , father of FBI agent Don Eppes ( Rob Morrow ), and Professor Charlie Eppes ( David Krumholtz ). When Krumholtz

648-420: A sense of the frustration you feel when you're not able to do anything". According to Lumet's account, he met Serpico shortly before the production. The director asked him to stay clear of the set, to not make Pacino "self-conscious" regarding his portrayal. Serpico watched the film in its entirety for the first time in 2010. In a later interview, he declared that Lumet barred him from the set after he interrupted

720-410: A silly question, which was, "Why, Frank? Why did you do it?" He said, "Well, Al, I don't know. I guess I have to say it would be because...if I didn't, who would I be when I listened to a piece of music?" I mean, what a way of putting it! That's the kind of guy he was. I enjoyed being with him. There was mischief in his eyes. — Al Pacino Salt's work did not satisfy Avildsen, who threatened to leave

792-642: Is an American actor. He is known for playing Alex Rieger on the television comedy series Taxi (1978–1983), John Lacey on the NBC series Dear John (1988–1992), and Alan Eppes on the CBS series Numb3rs (2005–2010). He is also well known for his career in theatre and for his roles in films such as Ordinary People (1980), Running on Empty (1988), Independence Day (1996), A Beautiful Mind (2001), Independence Day: Resurgence (2016), Uncut Gems (2019), and The Fabelmans (2022). Hirsch has twice won

SECTION 10

#1732798363379

864-641: Is often a balance between similarity in looks and ability to portray the characteristics of the person. Anthony Hopkins felt that he should not have played Richard Nixon in Nixon because of a lack of resemblance between the two. The casting of John Wayne as Genghis Khan in The Conqueror was objected to because of the American Wayne being cast as the Mongol warlord. Egyptian critics criticized

936-485: The Academy Award for Best Picture that year. His other film performances from the decade include leading roles in the 1983 drama Without a Trace , the 1984 dramedies, Teachers and The Goodbye People , and the 1988 drama Running on Empty , directed by Sidney Lumet and co-starring River Phoenix . In 1996, Hirsch portrayed the father of Jeff Goldblum 's character in the blockbuster Independence Day ,

1008-555: The American Academy of Dramatic Arts in New York City. Over the last several decades, Hirsch has distinguished himself in film, television, and theatre. The Los Angeles Times noted that Hirsch is "one of the very few actors who slips effortlessly from TV series to Broadway to feature films and back again, racking up awards and favorable reviews wherever he performs." After appearing frequently on television in

1080-700: The Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series , twice won the Tony Award for Best Actor in a Play , won the Golden Globe Award for Best Actor in a Television Series – Musical or Comedy , and was nominated twice for the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his performances in Ordinary People (1980) and The Fabelmans (2022), the longest gap between Academy Award nominations in history. Hirsch

1152-493: The Writers Guild of America Award for Best Adapted Screenplay . NYPD Officer Frank Serpico is rushed to the hospital, having been shot in the face. Chief Sidney Green fears that Serpico was shot by another cop. So Serpico's story is shown in a flashback . Serpico graduates from the police academy with big ideas for improving the police force's community relations. He dresses like an actual civilian instead of wearing

1224-458: The "tremendous intensity" of Lumet's direction. The publication also considered the film "disquieting" for its use of fictional names, as the reviewer felt that it diminished the role of Durk. Meanwhile, it called Theodorakis's soundtrack "redundant and dumb". The New York Daily News delivered a favorable review of the film. It rated it four stars out of five, and called it "a triumph of intelligence, compassion and style". A follow-up critique by

1296-663: The 1970s, including one season (1976–1977) in the series Delvecchio , Hirsch gained stardom for his lead role of Alex Rieger in the popular sitcom Taxi , which ran from 1978 to 1983. For his performance in the series, Hirsch won the Emmy Award for Lead Actor In a Comedy Series in 1981 and 1983. In 1999, he reprised his role from Taxi for a brief moment in Man on the Moon , the biopic of his co-star from Taxi , Andy Kaufman (portrayed by Jim Carrey ). After Taxi , Hirsch played

1368-520: The 1970s, producer Dino De Laurentiis decided to move from Italy to the United States. The change in financing laws further regulated the Italian film industry, and the producer settled in New York City. Following their collaboration on The Valachi Papers , De Laurentiis purchased the rights to Maas's book. Maas received US$ 400,000 (equivalent to $ 2.7 million in 2023) and participation in

1440-645: The Bronx and graduated from DeWitt Clinton High School (in the Bronx) in 1952. He earned a degree in physics from City College of New York . After graduating from college, Hirsch served in the United States Army Reserve in 1958 at Fort Leonard Wood for six months as a surveyor. Next Hirsch worked as an engineer for Westinghouse before he found work in the theater. He studied acting at HB Studio in New York City. He graduated in 1962 from

1512-743: The Moon (1999), Downey as Charlie Chaplin in Chaplin (1992) and as Lewis Strauss in Oppenheimer (2023), Foxx as Ray Charles in Ray (2004), Thompson and Hanks as P. L. Travers and Walt Disney in Saving Mr. Banks (2013), Redmayne as Stephen Hawking in The Theory of Everything (2014), and Murphy as J. Robert Oppenheimer in Oppenheimer (2023). Some biopics purposely stretch

SECTION 20

#1732798363379

1584-621: The action rather than the definition". Meanwhile, it viewed the use of "Neapolitan" music as "foolish perhaps, but not touching". It declared Pacino's contribution "a magnificent performance". Biographical film Biopic scholars include George F. Custen of the College of Staten Island and Dennis P. Bingham of Indiana University–Purdue University Indianapolis . Custen, in Bio/Pics: How Hollywood Constructed Public History (1992), regards

1656-406: The actor rented a house for the summer. Pacino was moved by Serpico's conviction to reform the NYPD, and became more committed to the project. In character, Pacino often walked through areas of the city that were considered dangerous at the time. While waiting in traffic, he attempted to arrest a truck driver, for he was enraged by the exhaust fumes. He was refused service at a Manhattan restaurant for

1728-453: The appearance that he kept for the film. Sidney Lumet organized the 107 speaking parts that took place in 104 different locations. The longest scenes took up two-and-a-half pages of the screenplay, while the average was one page. A budget of $ 3.3 million (equivalent to $ 22.6 million in 2023) was assigned. Two weeks of rehearsals were held. Pacino had learned Salt's screenplay, and he agreed with Lumet that Wexler's revised version improved

1800-458: The casting of Louis Gossett Jr. , an African American actor, as Egyptian president Anwar Sadat in the 1983 TV miniseries Sadat . Also, some objected to the casting of Jennifer Lopez in Selena because she is a New York City native of Puerto Rican descent while Selena was Mexican American . Because the figures portrayed are actual people, whose actions and characteristics are known to

1872-517: The courage" to depict police corruption in a motion picture. Maas's agent Sam Cohn was approached by agent Martin Bregman . Bregman expressed his interest to produce the film after reading an article in New York magazine about the book. Bregman proposed one of his signed actors, Al Pacino , to play the lead. Waldo Salt was chosen to write the screenplay adaptation. The first draft did not impress Maas, De Laurentiis nor Bregman. Bregman felt that

1944-651: The crew. It featured a fixed ceiling and movable walls. As with Serpico's original apartment, it was located in Greenwich Village . Through lighting, Lumet and cinematographer Arthur Ornitz chose to maintain a "warm look" on the location. Different techniques were used to reflect moods, and the changes of the years through which the character went. Lumet focused on portraying Serpico's struggle to balance his work and personal life, and his increased isolation and alienation, as his efforts produced slow results. The director decided to portray him "darker and darker". As

2016-470: The crew. Multiple locations in the city including Harlem , the South Bronx , Bedford–Stuyvesant , Brooklyn and Astoria , Queens, were used. Lewisohn Stadium was featured shortly before its demolition. The party scene was shot at Sidney Kingsley 's Fifth Avenue loft. The NYPD cooperated with the director and allowed him to film in four active police stations. Serpico's apartment had to be built by

2088-560: The department's standard plainclothes dress, which is easily recognizable. While he is chasing a burglar, other officers fail to recognize him as one of their own and shoot at him. He realizes that deviating from protocols can be dangerous. Serpico reports an attempted bribe to a high-ranking investigator, who chuckles and advises him to keep the money. Serpico soon learns that corruption is rampant in his police department. Forced to accompany officers as they collect payoffs from criminals and small businesses, Serpico refuses to accept his share of

2160-480: The film in 51 days, on budget. The film is edited by Dede Allen . Allen received the scenes from Lumet directly after they were shot. She had a limit of 48 hours to finish her work for its delivery to the sound department. Lumet did not want to add a score to the picture, but he decided that he would do it before De Laurentiis commissioned one. He learned that Mikis Theodorakis was released from prison in Greece. He

2232-400: The film progressed, the cast costumes became darker in color, until the courtroom scene in which all the actors wore dark tones. Lumet told Charles Champlin , "I was trying to negate color, to make a picture in color that was not colorful." Meanwhile, he wanted Serpico's fellow officers to be "men with charm, who were all the more evil for being human and understandable". Lumet finished shooting

Serpico - Misplaced Pages Continue

2304-436: The film with "skill and vigor". The Cincinnati Enquirer attributed the commercial success of the film to Pacino's acting, and to the film's depiction of "hard, cold, grit and grime reality". For The Evening Sun reviewer, Lou Cedrone expressed his doubts about Durk's "gratis talk of defamation of the police image". Cedrone considered that Durk "comes off very nicely" on the film, and defended Lumet's choice to "emphasize

2376-505: The film's critique of police corruption, despite its "embellishments and omissions" on the story. Pacino's performance was called "riveting", and the piece praised the "sharply individualized characterizations" by Tony Roberts , Jack Kehoe , John Randolph , Biff McGuire , Barbara Eda-Young and Cornelia Sharpe. Meanwhile, also for Philadelphia Inquirer , investigative journalist Greg Walter lamented its portrayal of police officers as "snarling, insipid ass(es)". Walter felt that Maas's book

2448-489: The film, while the rights for his work were secured before the March 1973 publication of the book. Initially, De Laurentiis found resistance to the project from Paramount Pictures . The studio considered that "enough cop movies" had been made. In turn, De Laurentiis was supported by Charles Bluhdorn , president of Gulf+Western , who wanted the film to be made. De Laurentiis later declared that "no American producer would have had

2520-404: The filming locations. In response to resistance to his plans, Avildsen threatened Bregman of quitting multiple times. An aggravated Bregman called for a meeting with the production team to cause the director to quit in front of witnesses. Avildsen had insisted on a meeting with Bregman and De Laurentiis to shoot a scene in the real home of Serpico's parents for authenticity. The producers felt that

2592-463: The gender norms that underlie the biopic in his article, "Taking Hollywood Back" in the 2009 issue of Cinema Journal . Roger Ebert defended The Hurricane and distortions in biographical films in general, stating "those who seek the truth about a man from the film of his life might as well seek it from his loving grandmother. ... The Hurricane is not a documentary but a parable ." Casting can be controversial for biographical films. Casting

2664-483: The genre as having died with the Hollywood studio era , and in particular, Darryl F. Zanuck . On the other hand, Bingham's 2010 study Whose Lives Are They Anyway? The Biopic as Contemporary Film Genre shows how it perpetuates as a codified genre using many of the same tropes used in the studio era that has followed a similar trajectory as that shown by Rick Altman in his study, Film/Genre . Bingham also addresses

2736-480: The handful of genuine star actors in American films". Salt and Wexler's screenplay was hailed as "almost documentary reality", and its treatment of the main character "a complex and evolving portrait". The reviewer also remarked that the romances and break-ups were presented with "unhackneyed honesty". The contributions of the supporting cast were well noted. Champlin felt that Allen's work was considered to be "high on

2808-504: The list" for an Academy Award nomination, and deemed Theodorakis's music "effective". Gene Siskel of the Chicago Tribune gave the film three-and-a-half stars out of four, noting its treatment of corruption as its "principal strength and weakness", and adding that Serpico "loses the perspective" that "corruption ... begins and ends with individuals making active and passive decisions". The Philadelphia Inquirer celebrated

2880-419: The male biopic and the female biopic as distinct genres from each other, the former generally dealing with great accomplishments, the latter generally dealing with female victimization. Ellen Cheshire's Bio-Pics: a life in pictures (2014) examines UK/US films from the 1990s and 2000s. Each chapter reviews key films linked by profession and concludes with further viewing list. Christopher Robé has also written on

2952-740: The money. He makes several attempts to alert superiors to the corruption but is rebuffed every time. Other officers learn that he is reporting them, and he begins to fear for his life. Serpico and his well-connected friend Blair go to the mayor's assistant, who promises a real investigation and support but is stymied by political pressure. Ostracized, frustrated and fearful, Serpico sinks into depression, which ruins his relationship with his girlfriend. He begins brutalizing well-connected suspects who had been bribing other officers and thought themselves protected. Finally, Serpico informs Captain McClain that he has reported his experiences to oversight agencies outside

Serpico - Misplaced Pages Continue

3024-495: The police force. Furious, McClain tells the other officers. Blair uses his connections to arrange a personal interview with the district attorney , who tells Serpico that if he testifies to a grand jury, a major investigation will follow. The DA limits his questions and prevents Serpico from revealing the ubiquity of corruption in the police force. Serpico and Blair take their story to The New York Times . After his allegations are printed, his superiors retaliate by assigning him to

3096-467: The project unless he could bring Norman Wexler to write the screenplay. They had previously worked together in Avildsen's Joe . Both traveled to Switzerland to visit Serpico at home and work the details. Time to work on the production was constricted due to Pacino's commitment to The Godfather Part II . Further disagreement arose between Avildsen and Bregman regarding the script and the selection of

3168-772: The public (or at least historically documented), biopic roles are considered some of the most demanding of actors and actresses. Warren Beatty , Faye Dunaway , Ben Kingsley , Johnny Depp , Jim Carrey , Jamie Foxx , Robert Downey Jr. , Brad Pitt , Emma Thompson , Tom Hanks , Eddie Redmayne , and Cillian Murphy all gained new-found respect as dramatic actors after starring in biopics: Beatty and Dunaway as Clyde Barrow and Bonnie Parker in Bonnie and Clyde (1967), Kingsley as Mahatma Gandhi in Gandhi (1982), Depp as Ed Wood in Ed Wood (1994), Carrey as Andy Kaufman in Man on

3240-401: The publication deemed Pacino's acting a "masterful performance", as the reviewer remarked that "he walks like a cop. He talks like a cop. He even seems to think as a cop." The review also praised Lumet and his "talent for achieving social realism". The Record considered it "one of the finest films of the year". Although it felt that the portrayal of Serpico was "too righteous and obsessive",

3312-504: The re-worked script that convinced him to consider the part. A meeting with Serpico, Maas and Pacino was arranged for the actor to meet the subject of the film. After meeting him, Pacino was fully convinced to accept the part. John G. Avildsen was chosen to direct the film. One time we were out at my rented beach house in Montauk. We were sitting there looking at the water. And I thought, Well, I might as well be like everybody else and ask

3384-432: The result was "very political", and that the story did not reflect what the producers desired to portray in the film. Bregman and Maas directed Salt to the parts of the book that they envisioned to be reflected on the screenplay. The second draft was considered to be a substantial improvement by the production team. Bregman took the treatment to Pacino, who initially did not find the film interesting. Salt visited Pacino with

3456-420: The review favored Pacino, but felt that his performance was "sometimes a little too intense". It praised the photography of New York City as authentic, and credited Ornitz and Allen's work for it. The Village Voice wrote a mixed review. It criticized the focus of the film on Serpico, and the minor role that the screenplay writers gave to the character that represented Durk. The reviewer considered that Serpico

3528-497: The reviewer opined that his "composing voice ought to be silenced". Meanwhile, the piece praised Allen's work. The Miami Herald hailed the use of "street talk" instead of the "language of actors and actresses" by Salt, Wexler and Maas. It praised Lumet and Ornitz's photography that "generate the smells, sounds and styles of the city". It considered Pacino's acting "predictably excellent", and it favored Theodorakis's music. The Detroit Free Press suggested that Serpico would be

3600-411: The role of Durk, and Robert Redford as Serpico. Serpico distanced himself from the project, as he felt that he would be merely portrayed as a sidekick . Script writer John Gregory Dunne turned down the project, for he felt that "there was no story". Director Sam Peckinpah , as well as Newman and Redford, left the project. After the success of several of his films in the 1960s, and the first years of

3672-409: The shooting of a scene that in real life "never happened". Serpico also criticized the dismissal of Avildsen by the production team. Serpico and Avildsen remained friends, and shared a property on Long Island for three years in the 1980s. New York City Police Commissioner Michael Codd stated that the film "tends to imply that Serpico was the only honest cop in the whole department". Detective Durk

SECTION 50

#1732798363379

3744-587: The short-lived CBS comedy Superior Donuts which lasted two seasons. In early 2020, Hirsch appeared in a scene as the historic Simon Wiesenthal , in season 1, episode 8 of the Amazon Prime Video show Hunters , which stars Al Pacino . In 2023, at the age of 87, he became the second-oldest acting nominee for an Academy Award , after Christopher Plummer , for his role in Steven Spielberg's film The Fabelmans (2022). He also broke

3816-620: The situation "with more finesse". Sidney Lumet was hired to complete the job for his reputation as an effective director under a tight schedule. Pacino was shortly distracted from the project by an offer to play the lead in Lenny , but ultimately he turned it down. To prepare for Serpico , he rode with police officers for a night, but he decided that it was not enough. A method actor , he felt that he needed to spend time with Serpico. Pacino and Serpico met several times in Montauk , New York, where

3888-465: The structure could not accommodate the production team and equipment efficiently. The escalating tension on the meeting resulted in De Laurentiis firing Avildsen, and the director quit in return. Avildsen's account for the reason of his dismissal was that he refused to cast Bregman's then-girlfriend (and later wife) Cornelia Sharpe as Leslie. Avildsen would later declare that he should have treated

3960-453: The structure, but that the dialogue was impoverished. Lumet allowed the actors to improvise certain dialogues, and he also allowed their creative input for the scenes. The cast selected dialogues from both scripts as the filming progressed. Although he already had a good knowledge of New York locations, Lumet considered the work "physically brutal, and emotionally tough". The principal photography on Serpico began in early July 1973. The film

4032-451: The team lead of Serpico's four-man unit, setting up Serpico to be shot in the face at a drug bust. Judd Hirsch appears as one of the cops in the hospital, also uncredited. After Frank Serpico recovered from being shot, he helped Peter Maas write Serpico . Detective David Durk, who also appeared in front of the Knapp Commission , planned to sell the rights of their story for a film adaptation. Early negotiations included Paul Newman in

4104-488: The television show Maron as comedian Marc Maron 's father; he has had a recurring role on The Goldbergs , playing the father of Jeff Garlin 's character. In 2016, Hirsch appeared on the CBS comedy series The Big Bang Theory portraying the father of Johnny Galecki 's character, Leonard . From 2014 to 2015, he appeared as a series regular on the ABC television series Forever . From 2017 to 2018, Hirsch starred in

4176-466: The title character on the modestly successful sitcom Dear John and in 1989 won a Golden Globe Award for Best Actor in a Television Series in a Comedy or Musical for this role. He later teamed up with Bob Newhart in the short-lived comedy George and Leo . Hirsch received a nomination for the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his role in Ordinary People (1980), which won

4248-441: The truth". Lumet defended his artistic license on the portrayal of the story, as he felt he desired to make a film that "people believed in". Bregman dismissed the critics, as he felt that the real names were not relevant for viewers in cities outside New York. Maas dismissed Durk's claims regarding honest policemen and asked, "Where were they?" The New York Times felt that the film was "galvanizing" for Pacino's performance and

4320-474: The truth. Confessions of a Dangerous Mind was based on game show host Chuck Barris ' widely debunked yet popular memoir of the same name, in which he claimed to be a CIA agent. Kafka incorporated both the life of author Franz Kafka and the surreal aspects of his fiction. The Errol Flynn film They Died with Their Boots On tells the story of Custer but is highly romanticized. The Oliver Stone film The Doors , mainly about Jim Morrison ,

4392-480: The winter to look "cold and heavy", and the summer "idyllic and hazy". The team had difficulty to find locations suitable for the scenes set in the 1960s, since graffiti did not become common until 1970. Lumet shot up to 35 different setups daily. The team had to move three times a day on average. Each location had to be cleared of cars that did not belong to the particular period, and extras could not feature long hair nor non-period wardrobe. Hairdressers were present with

SECTION 60

#1732798363379

4464-463: Was "coldly objective", but that the director's work delivered characters that were "one-dimensional caricatures". The Boston Globe welcomed Lumet's "melodramatic efficiency". The publication considered the story "heavily repetitious", but favored its "quick pace". It regarded Ornitz's camerawork as "the right documentary look", while it lamented Theodorakis's score as "disruptive" and "out of character". Esquire further criticized Theodorakis, as

4536-494: Was "worth seeing" for Pacino's performance. Variety deemed Pacino's acting "outstanding", and Lumet's a combination of "gritty action and thought-provoking comment". For Newhouse News Services , it was an "exciting movie", but the review remarked that it was "weakened" by its focus on Serpico. The news agency attributed the minimization of the other characters to avoid "possible lawsuits". The Los Angeles Times acclaimed Serpico . Charles Champlin called Pacino "one of

4608-561: Was 13, he played the role of a son to Hirsch's father role in Conversations with My Father , a Herb Gardner play for which Hirsch won the Tony Award for Best Performance by a Leading Actor in a Play . Krumholtz credits Hirsch with jump-starting his career after Hirsch chose him during the audition process for Conversations . Other noteworthy stage performances include The Hot l Baltimore , Talley's Folly , and his starring role in I'm Not Rappaport , for which Hirsch also won

4680-462: Was able to locate him in Paris, as the composer quickly left his country of origin. Theodorakis accepted Lumet's offer, and flew to New York City the next day. He met with the director, who played the movie for him the day of his arrival. Theodorakis agreed that it should not have a soundtrack, but he offered a composition of his to add to the film. Theodorakis had arranged a tour of the United States with

4752-523: Was born in the Bronx , New York, to Sally (née Kitzis) (1903–1999) and Joseph Sidney Hirsch (1904–1989), an electrician. Joseph was born in New York, to a German Jewish father, Benjamin Hirsch, and an English-born mother, Rosa Hirsch Benjamin, whose family were Dutch Jews . Sally Hirsch was born in Russia, also to a Jewish family. Judd Hirsch has a brother named Roland. He grew up in both Brooklyn and

4824-483: Was clean-shaven for the beginning of the film. Lumet decided each day if Pacino was to be further shaven, and the crew prepared fake beards in case they were required. Winter conditions were simulated, as the team had to defoliate trees and cut shrubs. Special makeup was used to absorb the sweat, and to keep the actors' skin dry. The cast wore winter coats, and their skin was made to look bluish, while their breath had to be visible. The director followed Serpico's desire for

4896-1103: Was highly praised for the similarities between Jim Morrison and actor Val Kilmer , look-wise and singing-wise, but fans and band members did not like the way Val Kilmer portrayed Jim Morrison, and a few of the scenes were even completely made up. In rare cases, sometimes called auto biopics , the subject of the film plays themself. Examples include Jackie Robinson in The Jackie Robinson Story (1950), Muhammad Ali in The Greatest (1977), Audie Murphy in To Hell and Back (1955), Patty Duke in Call Me Anna (1990), Bob Mathias in The Bob Mathias Story (1954), Arlo Guthrie in Alice's Restaurant (1969), Fantasia in Life Is Not

4968-580: Was hired as his replacement. On a short notice, he selected the shooting locations and organized the scenes; the production was filmed in July and August. On its release, Serpico became a critical and commercial success. At the same time, the film drew criticism from police officers. It received nominations at the Academy Awards and BAFTA Awards . Pacino earned the Golden Globe Award for Best Actor – Motion Picture Drama , while Salt and Wexler received

5040-543: Was not pleased with Serpico . Durk, who was depicted in the character of Bob Blair, felt that the movie would deter other policemen to denounce corruption. In an interview with The New York Times , he considered the movie to be unfair to honest police officers. Durk stated that the end of the film conveyed that "the cost of honesty is martyrdom", and Serpico's departure for Switzerland showed him "wounded and frustrated". Meanwhile, Bronx district attorney Burton B. Roberts declared that it "bears absolutely no relationship to

5112-412: Was planned to be released before Christmas, with four-and-a-half months for the crew to complete the movie. Filming took place in July and August. The story of the film encompassed 11 years, from 1960 through 1971. To accommodate the scenes around Pacino's facial hair, the film was shot in reverse. Pacino started with long beard and hair. He was shaved to a mustache, and eventually, his hair was cut and he

5184-472: Was released nationwide on February 6, 1974. The film was a critical and commercial success. It grossed $ 29.8 million in the United States and Canada, generating $ 14.6 million in theatrical rentals . It earned theatrical rentals worldwide of $ 23.4 million. Serpico attended the premiere of the film, but he did not finish watching it. Serpico felt "distant" from the results. In an interview with Pauline Kael for The New Yorker , he concluded that it "didn't give

#378621