Danger! Master at work...

Introduction

When you think of Al Pacino films, you’ll probably come up with one or more of The Godfather Trilogy, and then maybe Heat, Carlito’s Way and Scarface. And probably a few others. But I’d guess that not too many people will recall the Sydney Lumet-directed Serpico.

Serpico is a cop in an unspecified period of the 1960s and 1970s. The events that the film is based on (the true story of New York police officer Frank Serpico) took place between 1959 and 1971, so things are round about that era, but no dates are ever really on show.

The story follows Serpico through his career, as he moves through the New York police forces, encountering corruption, bribery and kickbacks wherever he turns. Despite wanting no part of this, he still manages to work his way through different departments, picking up new enemies along the way. Each time he is asked to do something underhand, he refuses, and he has another reason to watch his back.

This also takes its toll on his personal life, and even the one senior officer who seems to be on his side may not be the ally he was looking for.

Video + Audio

“You take off on me, I’ll put one in your back.”

A 1.78:1 anamorphic transfer, presented in 1080p. Serpico was shot in the 1.85:1 aspect ratio and is presented in the slightly more “open” ratio of 1.78:1. A new, restored transfer of a 40 year old film. It looks like a 40 year old film, but one that has been cleaned up in order that you can focus on the detail that Blu-ray offers you. Detail such as the wonderful 60s/70s outfits that are on show, and the detail in the passing of time during the film that is marked by Serpico’s growing of a moustache, and then even more facial hair. And lots of New York locations, at a time when New York was looking very grotty and grimy. Like the timescales, the actual locations aren’t really clearly defined, but they are very definitely New York.

[The images seen in this review are from press materials and do not represent the Blu-ray transfer]

For your ears, there’s a choice of original mono track and a DTS-HD Master Audio track. The mono track sounds “authentic” but I always prefer multi-channel mixes myself. Everything sounds good, and it’s a reasonably conservative mix which just enhances the original audio track with a few well placed sounds and just a bit more “oomph”.

Extra Features

“You look like an asshole with dentures.”

On the disc there are several extra features.

First up we have “Serpico: From Real to Reel”. This features director Sidney Lumet and producer Martin Bregman (separately) talking about everything they needed to do to get the film made.

“Inside Serpico” features Lumet and Bregman again, talking more about the production, directing and shooting of the film.

“Serpico: Favourite Moments” features guess who? Yep, the Lumet/Bregman tag team are back again talking very briefly about their favourite scenes. All three of these could have been joined up into one feature I think.

Next up a Photo Gallery with a difference - this one features Sidney Lumet talking about the music in the film, which initially he didn’t want.

Finally on the disc is a 4 minute trailer.

The last extra is a lovely little 43-page illustrated booklet featuring three articles. A 2013 article by Karina Longworth, "Serpico and the Invention of Hair Acting", "The Filming of Serpico: Interview with Cinematographer Arthur Ornitz" by Win Sharples, Jr., first published in Filmmakers Newsletter in 1974 and Lawrence Grobel’s 1979 Playboy interview "Method Man: Interview with Al Pacino".

Conclusion

“I am passing out these marijuana cigarettes for you to sample…”

Chronologically sandwiched between The Godfather and The Godfather Part II, Serpico is easily one of Al Pacino’s best performances. A great film, a brilliant 1970s police story, and such intensity from Pacino. He totally dominates the film from start to finish. Watch this and enjoy a master at work.

It’s all packed onto a nice disc with a few extras, and a great booklet (one of the best inserts I've seen with a disc). The greedy consumer in me always wants more extras (commentary track or more recent look back/retrospective interviews), but there is probably enough here with the film itself.

Very highly recommended, and a worthy addition to the “Masters of Cinema” series.