A Reel Retro Review: DOG DAY AFTERNOON (1975)

Reel Speak’s Retro Reviews will randomly review a classic film from the TCM library every week, with the intention of introducing some overlooked and perhaps forgotten screen gems from the past to those of us who may be unfamiliar or unawares of their existence. 

 

In 2006, director Spike Lee delivered one of his best films, the bank-robbery/heist films INSIDE MAN, which had a group of thieves holding a bank-full of hostages while sparring with the police. Lee took a lot of cues for his movie from the 1975 drama DOG DAY AFTERNOON; a film that isn’t quite an overlooked or forgotten, but deserving of a fresh look. 

 

Sonny (Al Pacino), and Sal (John Cazale), attempt to rob a bank in Brooklyn and wind up with a building full of hostages. 

 

Directed by Sidney Lumet and inspired by a real-life robbery in 1972, the real hook of DOG DAY AFTERNOON is that Sonny and Sal are amateurs and have no idea what they are doing. Problems arise even before they can get into the vault; their third man loses his nerve and takes off, and the vault only has about a thousand dollars as they just missed the end-of-day pickup. What follows next is both men holing up in the bank with their hostages, eventually opening up negotiations with Police Sergeant Moretti (Charles Durning), and FBI Agents Sheldon (James Broderick), and Murphy (Lance Henriksen). 

 

Despite their mistakes and stumbles, Sonny and Sal are both painted as master-criminals by the cops and the swarm of media that shows up and begins endless coverage. As Sonny takes on dialogue with said media and the cops, he is revealed to be an every-day man that the public can relate to…eventually looking like a modern-day Robin Hood. Director Sidney Lumet is playing with a theme of how media coverage can hold power over public opinion; Sonny is nearly a hero and then later is ridiculed when the motivations behind his bank-robbing is revealed. 

 

Lumet, who would be known for his social themes and for being an actor’s director…shows off his excellent skills in both of those areas. He has a large cast to work with and they all get their due and put in great performances. The film has a gritty sense of realism and the characters feel very real. 

 

Spike Lee was right to follow the template for DOG DAY AFTERNOON for his INSIDE MAN, as this is a film that knows how to get it done. The plotting is tight and the tension built up nicely. Despite its age it is very relevant to today’s times, and despite a tragic ending…closes out on a satisfying note. 

 

BOTTOM LINE: See it 

 

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Reel Facts: John Cazale would star alongside Al Pacino in THE GODFATHER PART I and II, playing Fredo Corleone. Director Sidney Lumet would finish his career with over 50 films in his filmography, earning Best Director nominations for 12 ANGRY MEN (1957), DOG DAY AFTERNOON, NETWORK (1976), and THE VERDICT (1982).