SERPICO

US, 1973, 130 minutes, Colour.
Al Pacino, John Randolph, Tony Roberts, Jack Kehoe.
Directed by Sidney Lumet.

Serpico held police honesty as a cause. He was a fanatic for good who was made to suffer intensely and live in fear. His story reveals a gloomy picture of society and man's corruptibility. While Serpico's cause is admirable, he did not let human relationships stand in the way of his cause. Al Pacino's outstanding performance captures and conveys the man's complex intensity. Sidney Lumet's fine film opts for serious, 'realistic' (especially language) approach rather than the spectacular violence of many recent police sagas. The film is strong in New York atmosphere, the police milieu, its pressures and dangers. Serpico is worth seeing also as a comment on US political corruption.

1. How entertaining a film was this? Was it too grim? How strong was it as regards message?

2. How realistic a film was it? In its picture of New York, its crime,, the police life? How realistic was it in its presentation of personalities? Especially that of Frank Serpico? Did this sense of realism come across to the audience? How?

3. Comment on the techniques of the film. the editing, the harsh colour, the harsh tone of the whole filmf music. the basic flashback technique for audience sympathy with a wounded Serpico.

4. How successful was Al Pacino's performance as Serpico? The intensity? The obsession, the fanaticism? The sense of right and wrong? The cause and ideology? The over-riding obsession covering all human relationships? And yet Pacino's insinuations of the humane side of Serpico? The short sequences of his relationships. with his girl-friends,. of life at the party (which showed what kind of man he might have been.

5. How useful as a documentary was the film in portraying the policeman's life in New York? The training, the life in the police precincts, the relationship between policemen. the pressures on themf the dangers? The risks in life, in corruption?

6. How did Serplcols character change within this policeman's life? His growing older, more experienced. his zeal for right. his coming against weakness and corruptibility? How was this complexity conveyed in performance and in situation?

7. What did the film show about the possibility of corruption? The initial choice of sandwich, the policemen on the take, the barriers to investigation,, the policemen ganging up against him? Officialdom not wanting to investigate, the political atmosphere, even of the seasons and potential riots, in controlling investigations etc?

8. What did the film say about why policemen were on the take? Weakness of human nature? Pressures? Greed? The lack of moral fibre and morale in the police force?

9. How interesting were the various police personalities in the film? Commissioners to Superintendents, to Inspectors? Did they come across realistically? They made Serpico angry. Did they make the audience angry?

10. How important was McLean? in the film? As sympatheticf transferring Serpico, giving him chances , the Catholic background? Why did he then have his limitations in supporting Serpico? The style of their meetings and the way they were filmed? The contrast with Commissioner Delaney?

11. How strong a friend was Bob? Why did he share Serpico's horror at corruption? The nature of their attempts to make investigations? Their frustrations? Their continued resourcefulness? How optimistic was this? How important a character was Bob in himself? His contact with higher officers etc?

12. What comment did the film make about political situations in New York and their dominance of right and wrong? The nature of fear in American politics?

13. How did the film show the effects of corruption on the police - especially in the sequences where they menaced and brutalised Serpico? How ugly was this?

14. How did the drive for right and wrong become an obsession with Serpico? His inability to relate ultimately with Leslie? The clashes of personality with Laurie? Her devotion to him and yet her final going? The fact that Serpico would not allow human relationships to dominate his drive? How sad was this?

15. How did the film show his dedication in his work? The loner at work, unconventional in dress, taking initiatives, being more humane e.g. with the rapist? The fact that he was persecuted and criticised for this dedication? Getting haircuts etc.?

16. The importance of the sequences where he exposed the police in the paper? The testifying? The importance of his support from Sidney Green? What kind of man was Sidney Green? A chance for audience identification and hope for Serpico? The limitations of the testifying?

17. Why was Serpico transferred to the drug squad? The drama of his going in to get the criminals? The fear of the other police? His being wounded?

18. How saddening was the ending with Serpico's having to resign. even after receiving the badge, and hide in Switzerland? Were there any implications in the way Serpico dressed and looked. poor and ragged, with beard. Wounded Christ figure in any way?

19. What was the overall impact of the film and the audience sense of justice? How valuable is a film like this? As a social document about America in the 70s?