After making his film debut in Me, Natalie (1969), stage actor Al Pacino had his first notable role as a heroin addict in The Panic in Needle Park (1971). His performance brought him to the attention of Francis Ford Coppola, who soon cast him in what would become his breakthrough role as Michael Corleone in The Godfather (1972); he would also earn his first Oscar nomination as well. Fresh off of this breakthrough role, Pacino took on playing the NYPD cop who dared to take on corruption in the force, Frank Serpico. Previously released on DVD and Blu-ray by Paramount, Kino has licensed the movie for its UHD Blu-ray debut.
The Production: 5/5
Upon graduation from the police academy, Frank Serpico (Al Pacino) is an idealist on how to improve New York Police Department’s relations within the community. However, he soon comes to realize some of the harsh realities of life on the police force as his idealistic tendencies run up against the culture of corruption within the NYPD. As he tries to push back and expose the corruption within the ranks to the public, Serpico is increasingly subjected to scorn and mistreatment from his fellow officers, but nothing will stop him from doing what is right and performing his duties with integrity.
One of the best films of the 1970’s, Serpico took on the conflicting realities that existed within the New York Police Department of the era. After original director John G. Avildsen was dismissed prior to the start of filming – Sam Peckinpah as well as actors Paul Newman and Robert Redford were attached to the project at one point as well – Sidney Lumet took the reins and delivered one of his best films, bringing together the grittiness of NYC with the iconoclastic nature of is real life protagonist determined to do what’s right. Lumet’s solid direction is buttressed by the equally solid script by Waldo Salt and Norman Wexler – the film’s framework was provided by Wexler, but it’s Salt’s words you hear from the actors – which would receive an Oscar nomination for adapting Peter Maas’ book; other solid contributions from behind the camera come from film editor Dede Allen, cinematographer Arthur J. Ornitz and composer Mikis Theodorakis. Best of all, Lumet wrests terrific performances from his cast – including an Oscar nominated one from Al Pacino (his first for Best Actor) – that fills this real life story with grit and amazement. In the end, Serpico is not just a compelling look at one of the most notable figures in 20th Century New York City, but also one of the best movies of the 1970’s.
While Pacino’s performance here is rightfully acclaimed, he also has some solid support as well. As Serpico’s superior officer, John Randolph turns in a solid performance; years after this movie, he was originally cast as Frank Costanza on TV’s Seinfeld before being replaced by Jerry Stiller. As Serpico’s friend with connections, Tony Roberts is equally solid; he was also a favorite of Woody Allen, appearing in 6 of his films, most notably in Annie Hall (1977). As the superior officer infuriated with Serpico’s attempts to clean up the force, Biff McGuire makes for a notable antagonist; his most notable role came later in the decade, as Inspector Kramer in the TV movie Nero Wolfe (1979). Other notable members of the cast include Jack Kehoe as Tom Keough, Barbara Eda-Young and Cornelia Sharpe as the two women in Serpico’s life at different points, Allan Rich as the district attorney, M. Emmet Walsh as Gallagher and notable uncredited appearances by F. Murray Abraham (as the leader of the unit during the drug bust in Brooklyn), Kenneth McMillan (as Charlie), Jaime Sanchez and Tony Lo Bianco (as fellow cops), Tracey Walter as a street urchin, and Judd Hirsch (as the officer outside Serpico’s hospital room at the beginning of the movie).
Video: 5/5
3D Rating: NA
This UHD Blu-ray release presents the film in its original 1:85:1 aspect ratio, taken from a brand new Dolby Vision HDR transfer taken from a 4K scan of the original 35mm camera negative; the UHD Blu-ray disc on this release presents the film in HDR while the accompanying Blu-ray disc presents the film in SDR. Film grain, fine details and color palette are all faithfully presented with only minor cases of scratches, tears and dust present on both discs. Overall, this UHD Blu-ray release is likely the best the movie will ever look on home video and surpasses previous DVD and Blu-ray releases.
Audio: 5/5
There are two audio options on this UHD Blu-ray release: a 2.0 and a 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio track on both UHD Blu-ray and Blu-ray discs. Both tracks exhibit strong and clear dialogue, sound mix and sparse Mikis Theodorakis music score with minor cases of crackling, popping, hissing or distortion present. Overall, this release is likely the best the movie will ever sound on home video and surpasses all previous home video editions.
Special Features: 4/5
On both UHD Blu-ray and Blu-ray discs
Commentary by film historians Howard S. Berger, Steve Mitchell and Nathaniel Thompson – Recorded for this release, Berger, Mitchell and Thompson talks about the movie’s production, the real life Serpico, the shooting locations in NYC as well as the cast and crew bios prior to and following the movie.
On Blu-ray disc only
Sidney Lumet: Cineaste New York (30:24) – Carried over from the Region B Studiocanal Blu-ray, the legendary director talks about why he often filmed in New York City and about his career.
Looking for Al Pacino (30:38) – Also carried over from the Studiocanal Blu-ray, a profile on the actor’s performance in this movie and his career; featuring interviews with retired NYPD detective Jack J. Cambria and directors Jerry Schatzberg, Michael Radford and Jack Garfein.
Serpico: From Real to Reel (9:58) – Carried over from the 2002 Paramount DVD and subsequent Blu-ray release, a look at bringing the real life story of Frank Serpico to the big screen; featuring interviews with director Sidney Lumet and producer Martin Bregman.
Inside Serpico (12:55) – The second part of the three-part series of featurettes from the 2002 Paramount DVD looks at the filming of the movie following pre-production with Lumet and Bregman.
Serpico: Favorite Moments (2:38) – The final part of the series of featurettes shows Lumet and Bregman sharing their personal favorite scenes from the movie.
Photo Gallery with commentary by Sidney Lumet (4:24)
Theatrical Trailer (4:16)
Bonus KLSC Trailers – Death Wish, Marathon Man, Thunderbolt and Lightfoot, Newman’s Law, Busting, The Laughing Policeman, 12 Angry Men, The Group & A Stranger Among Us
Overall: 4.5/5
A success with both critics and audiences upon first release, Serpico is one of the finest movies of the 1970’s and a high point in the careers of both Al Pacino and Sidney Lumet. Kino has likely delivered the definitive home video release of the movie with a stellar HDR transfer and a great slate of special features ported over from past DVD and Blu-ray releases. Very highly recommended.
Serpico (50th Anniversary Edition) 4KUHD [Blu-ray]
42% Off $39.95 $23.30
Mychal has been on the Home Theater Forum’s reviewing staff since 2018, with reviews numbering close to 300. During this time, he has also been working as an assistant manager at The Cotton Patch – his family’s fabric and quilting supplies business in Keizer, Oregon. When not working at reviewing movies or working at the family business, he enjoys exploring the Oregon Coast, playing video games and watching baseball in addition to his expansive collection of movies on DVD, Blu-ray and UHD, totalling over 3,000 movies.
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