1975 Hit Film Ranked Among ‘Best Movies of All Time'

In 1975, a crime drama hit theaters that would go on to become one of the most intense and emotionally charged films of its era.

Dog Day Afternoon, directed by Sidney Lumet, has since been ranked among the best movies of all time by Collider, highlighting its lasting cultural and cinematic impact.

Based on a true story, the film follows Sonny Wortzik, a desperate man who attempts to rob a Brooklyn bank in order to pay for his partner's medical procedure. What begins as a poorly planned heist quickly spirals into a tense hostage situation, drawing massive media attention and turning Sonny into an unlikely public figure.

At the center of the film is a career-defining performance from Al Pacino, whose portrayal of Sonny captures both the character's volatility and vulnerability. His performance, paired with Lumet's documentary-style direction, creates a sense of realism that keeps viewers on edge throughout.

The film is widely praised for its sharp screenplay, which blends suspense with social commentary, touching on themes of media influence, identity and desperation. Rather than presenting a straightforward crime story, Dog Day Afternoon delves into the complexities of its characters, making it as much a character study as it is a thriller.

But, long before it hit theaters, rehearsals for the film got off to a rocky start.

"For some reason, I felt as though I didn't know who the character I was playing was," recalled Pacino in an interview with The Guardian. "I kind of left that out of the rehearsals or something. I don't know what happened but I knew when I saw something on the screen I said: no. I saw I didn't have a character so I thought, what am I doing, where am I, who am I, where am I going?"

Pacino continued, "I went home that night, took half a gallon of white wine, which I don't usually drink, for some reason and spent the whole night finding a character within myself from the script. I come in the next day and of course Lumet is looking at me like, what happened, Al? The cast – my friends – are saying, 'I think he's having a breakdown.' But I wasn't. I was becoming somebody else, I think. I was becoming the guy that's in the film."

And the rest ways history. The movie became a critical success. It earned multiple Academy Award nominations and won Best Original Screenplay, further cementing its place in film history.

Nearly 50 years later, Dog Day Afternoon remains a powerful and relevant film, one that continues to captivate audiences with its raw emotion, gripping tension and unforgettable performances.

With its inclusion in Collider's ranking, the film stands as a testament to the enduring power of storytelling rooted in real human experience.

Related: 1992 Hit Film Ranked Among ‘Best Movies of All Time'

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This story was originally published April 14, 2026 at 8:46 PM.