Dog Day Afternoon
Movie, 1975, The Classics, Set in 1972
Dog Day Afternoon is #6 of 26 in release order and #6 of 26 in chronological order in the Heist Movies.
The story
Based on the true story of would-be Brooklyn bank robbers John Wojtowicz and Salvatore Naturile. Sonny and Sal attempt a bank heist which quickly turns sour and escalates into a hostage situation and stand-off with the police. As Sonny's motives for the robbery are slowly revealed and things become more complicated, the heist turns into a media circus.
Dog Day Afternoon recap
On a hot August afternoon in 1972, Sonny Wortzik and his friend Sal try to rob a Brooklyn bank, and it goes wrong almost at once: a third robber loses his nerve and leaves, and the vault has little money because most of it has been collected. The police surround the building, and the robbery becomes a hostage siege. Sonny becomes a celebrity to the crowd outside, shouting "Attica!" at the police, and the media turns up in force. The robbery turns out to be for his partner Leon, who wants money for gender transition surgery, and Leon is brought to the scene. As the day drags on, the FBI takes over from the local police, and Sonny demands a jet to fly them out of the country.
Dog Day Afternoon ending explained
The FBI drives Sonny, Sal and the hostages to Kennedy Airport. On the tarmac, an FBI agent shoots Sal dead, and Sonny is arrested as the hostages are freed. Closing titles say Sonny got 20 years in prison and Leon had the surgery.
Post-credits scenes
No. There is no post-credits scene.
Where to watch Dog Day Afternoon
Dog Day Afternoon is streaming on Hoopla in the US. You can rent or buy it on Amazon, Apple TV, and Google Play.
Ratings
IMDb 8.0/10, Rotten Tomatoes 94%
Where it fits
- Release order: after The Sting, before Thief.
- Chronological order: after The Italian Job, before Thief.
Cast
- Al Pacino as Sonny
- John Cazale as Sal
- Charles Durning as Moretti
- Chris Sarandon as Leon
- James Broderick as Sheldon
- Penelope Allen as Sylvia
- Sully Boyar as Mulvaney
- Beulah Garrick as Margaret
- Carol Kane as Jenny
- Sandra Kazan as Deborah
- Marcia Jean Kurtz as Miriam
- Amy Levitt as Maria
Directed by Sidney Lumet.