Opened: September 21, 1975

Directed by: Sidney Lumet

Starring: Al Pacino, John Cazale, Charles Durning, Chris Sarandon, Penelope Allen, Sully Boyar, Susan Peretz, James Broderick, Lance Henriksen, Marcia Jean Kurtz & Carol Kane

An intense thriller based on a true story, Dog Day Afternoon will hold your attention while making you sympathetic to the bank robbers.

Sonny Wortzik (Al Pacino) and Sal Naturile (John Cazale) attempt to rob a bank in Brooklyn, but they arrive after most of the money had already been removed for the day. While they take what they can, the police show up and make it a standoff with hostages present.

The movie starts out tense with the robbery taking place within the first few minutes. In doing so, there’s a level of intensity that is kept throughout the film that’s heightened any time something crazy happens.

Pacino is fantastic as Sonny. You’ll begin to like him as you see his good-naturedness and learn why he’s robbing the bank.

Final say: I’d watch it morning, afternoon or night. ★★★★★