The Spotlight on Al Pacino- A Great Actor of Our Time

Al Pacino is indisputable as one of the all time greatest actors of our times. With early roles such as Francis Ford Coppola's "The Godfather" (1974), Dog Day Afternoon (1975) directed by Sidney Lumet, Brian De Palma's Scarecrow (1973), the esteemed legacy of Pacino had been well established several decades ago. Remaining at the top of his games for more than four decades makes Al Pacino one of Hollywood' most elite and most revered actors in cinematic history. It is safe to say the Pacino's filmography has surpassed legendary status long before the turning of the recent century.

Pacino solidified his star power and acting range in the film that made his already rising star rise even higher in Hollywood. Then Pacino took on the powerful role as Frank Serpico in the film entitled Serpico (1973). Pacino portrayed the gutsy Officer Frank Serpico who went after the greatest corruption racket in the history of the New York City Police Department. Real life heroic cop Frank Serpico made headline news when he took on the NYPD in the early 1970's. His courageous story resulted in the film version of this brave man endeavors brought to authentic life by Pacino.

Directed by Sidney Lumet, Serpico isa a raw account of one man's tale of the underworld dealing and darkest decade in the NYPD existence. This stunning portrayal of the one lone New York City police officer's determination to get to the truth at the risk of his own life and those around him was heart stopping and reverent. Both the director of Serpico and Pacino conveyed the story of lone officer Frank Serpico with complete sensitivity. Serpico went where no mere mortal had gone before to expose that level of corruption that lurked beneath the street of New York City life.

Directed by Sidney Lumet, Serpico is a raw account of one man's tale of the underworld dealing and darkest decade in the NYPD existence. This stunning portrayal of the one lone New York City police officer's determination to get to the truth at the risk of his own life and those around him was heart stopping and reverent. Both the director of Serpico and Pacino conveyed the story of lone officer Frank Serpico with complete sensitivity. Serpico went where no mere mortal had gone before to expose that level of corruption that lurked beneath the street of New York City life.

Lumet elevated this story of honorable intention above all to the next level of cinematic display and format. Serpico went up against both friends and foes to make his mark in American history. The infamous underhanded activities of New York cops in the 70's and 80's were most notoriously known. Serpico, a son of Italian immigrants, took on fellow police officers who were engaging in unsavory and unlawful activities. Showing little or no fear was the way Serpico faced down the threats and attempts to silence his efforts against New York's most finest. Frank Serpico's heroics made him a household name in the 70's and 80's.

Serpico proudly hails from Brooklyn, New York. He knew the streets of New York like no one else. He was a veteran of the Korean War and knew the fundamentals of the honor system. Joining the NYPD, was considered one of Serpico personal highlights in his most extraordinary life. However, almost immediately after commencing employment with the NYPD Serpico came face to face with deep routed corruption. Pacino as Serpico conveyed the danger and real threat that Frank Serpico lived under to a chilling degree. Underhanded wheeling and dealing of the NYPD police force did not stop at mere corruption but extended to great lowly depths of extortion as well.

Accepting bribery's during this time in the NYPD history was definitely the normal way of life. Those who refused the system of taking bribery's were instantly targeted as a threat to the corruption racket that had excelled so successfully for so long. The depths of corruption prevailed unchecked by higher authorities throughout the police department services for years if not decades. Pacino makes this a must see classic film that is also just the perfect choice for the essential films list too. Expect to see more of Pacino when he next portrays Detective Stanford in his new release "Son of No One" due out in 2011.