Serpico

Serpico is a 1973 film about NYPD officer Frank Serpico, who went undercover to expose corruption in the force. Directed by Sidney Lumet. Written by Waldo Salt and Norman Wexler, based on the eponymous book by Peter Maas. Many of his fellow officers considered him the most dangerous man alive-an honest cop. Frank Serpico [to a criminal in custody] I want to talk to you. I want to take you across the street, get you a cup of coffee... without cuffs. Now look, I didn't touch you upstairs, right? You take off on me, I'll put one in your back. Understand? Come on. [testifying before the Knapp Commission] Through my appearance here today... I hope that police officers in the future will not experience... the same frustration and anxiety that I was subjected to... for the past five years at the hands of my superiors... because of my attempt to report corruption. I was made to feel that I had burdened them with an unwanted task. The problem is that the atmosphere does not yet exist... in which an honest police officer can act... without fear of ridicule or reprisal from fellow officers. Police corruption cannot exist unless it is at least tolerated... at higher levels In the department. Therefore, the most important result that can come from these hearings... is a conviction by police officers that the department will change. In order to ensure this... an independent, permanent investigative body... dealing with police corruption, like this commission, is essential. [given a detective's gold badge] What's this for? For bein' an honest cop? Hmm? Or for being stupid enough to get shot in the face? You tell them that they can shove it. The reality is that we do not wash our own laundry - it just gets dirtier. You stupid fuck! You didn't know me? You fired without a warning, without a fucking brain in your head? Oh, shit. If I buy one, motherfucker, I ain't buying it from you. Dialogue Leslie Lane: [feeling his gun as she's riding on the back of his motorcycle] What'ya need a gun for? Frank Serpico: Didya ever hear of Barnum and Bailey? Leslie Lane: Yeah. Frank Serpico: Well, I'm their lion tamer. Frank Serpico: You know that I'm totally isolated in the department. I don't have a friend. Chief Sidney Green: Oh, don't give me that bullshit about friends. I've been putting cops away for thirty years. My name's an obscenity to every shithouse wall in every precinct in the city. Frank Serpico: I've observed that, sir. Chief Sidney Green: Friends! And I fought my way up as a Jew in the department in the days you were supposed to have an uncircumcised shamrock between your legs. I have this nightmare. I'm on 5th Avenue watching the St. Patrick's Day parade and I have a coronary and nine thousand cops march happily over my body. Tom Keough: Now I ain't sayin' who. They just said ya'... ya' couldn't be trusted, you know? Frank Serpico: 'Cause I don't take money, right? Tom Keough: Frank, let's face it. Who can trust a cop who don't take money? Capt. Insp. McClain: Frank, has anyone ever told you that you have a tendency toward self-pity? Frank Serpico: No, you're the first. Cast Al Pacino - Frank Serpico John Randolph - Chief Sidney Green Jack Kehoe - Tom Keough Biff McGuire - Captain Inspector McClain Barbara Eda-Young - Laurie Cornelia Sharpe - Leslie Lane Tony Roberts - Bob Blair John Medici - Pasquale Serpico Allan Rich - District Attorney Herman Tauber Norman Ornellas - Don Rubello Edward Grover - Inspector Lombardo Joseph Bova - Potts John Stewart - Waterman Woodie King Jr. - Larry James Tolkan - Lieutenant Steiger Ed Crowley - Barto Bernard Barrow - Inspector Roy Palmer Nathan George - Lieutenant Nate Smith Alan North - Brown Lewis J. Stadlen - Jerry Berman M. Emmet Walsh - Gallagher George Ede - Daley Ted Beniades - Sarno F. Murray Abraham - detective partner John Brandon - police lieutenant Sam Coppola - cop René Enríquez - Cervantes Teacher Conard Fowkes - cop Judd Hirsch - cop Tony Lo Bianco - cop External links 0070666 Serpico serpico Serpico Category:1973 American films Category:American biographical films Category:American crime films Category:Films based on non-fiction books Category:Neo-noir Category:Films set in New York City Category:Conspiracy films Category:Films directed by Sidney Lumet Category:Films about whistleblowing Category:Films set in the 1970s Category:Films about police misconduct Category:Films about police corruption Category:Films about undercover police officers