
Al Pacino's portrayal of Sonny Wortzik in Dog Day Afternoon is widely regarded as one of the greatest performances in cinema history.
The film's ensemble cast, which also includes John Cazale and Chris Sarandon, brought a sense of realism to the story of a bank robbery gone wrong.
Pacino's preparation for the role involved intense research and method acting, which earned him an Academy Award nomination for Best Actor.
Sarandon's performance as Sal Naturile, the bank's manager, added a layer of complexity to the film's exploration of human nature.
The film's impact on American cinema cannot be overstated, with Dog Day Afternoon influencing a generation of filmmakers.
Cast
The cast of Dog Day Afternoon is a talented group of actors who brought the true story of Sonny Wortzik and his crew to life on the big screen. Al Pacino played the lead role of Sonny Wortzik, a man who took hostages at a bank in Brooklyn.
The supporting cast includes John Cazale as Sal Naturile, a fellow bank robber, and Charles Durning as Sergeant Eugene Moretti, the police officer tasked with negotiating with Sonny. Chris Sarandon played the role of Leon Shermer, a gay bank manager who becomes embroiled in the situation.
Some of the actors in the film had notable roles, including Penelope Allen as Sylvia 'Mouth', a bank employee who befriends Sonny, and Sully Boyar as Mulvaney, a bank employee who tries to help the police. Susan Peretz played the role of Angie, Sonny's girlfriend, who is worried about his safety.
Here's a list of some of the main cast members:
- Al Pacino as Sonny Wortzik (John Wojtowicz)
- John Cazale as Sal Naturile (Salvatore Naturile)
- Charles Durning as Sergeant Eugene Moretti
- Chris Sarandon as Leon Shermer (Elizabeth Eden)
- Penelope Allen as Sylvia 'Mouth' (Shirley "Mouth" Ball)
- Sully Boyar as Mulvaney (Robert Barrett)
- Susan Peretz as Angie (Carmen Wojtowicz)
The film also features a number of notable actors in supporting roles, including James Broderick as FBI Agent Sheldon and Lance Henriksen as FBI Agent Murphy.
Legacy and Impact
Dog Day Afternoon has been deemed "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant" by the Library of Congress and was selected for preservation in the National Film Registry in 2009.
The film's impact on popular culture is evident in its portrayal of a bisexual male character as the protagonist, making it one of the first motion pictures to do so. This representation helped pave the way for more diverse storytelling in the industry.
The film's cinematography, captured by Gordon Willis, effectively conveyed the tension and decay of a crowded city, earning praise from critics.
Legacy
Dog Day Afternoon has been deemed "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant" by the Library of Congress and was selected for preservation in the National Film Registry in 2009.
The film's portrayal of a gay character as the protagonist was a groundbreaking move in the 1970s, making it one of the first motion pictures to do so.
In 2015, a two-disc blu-ray was released to commemorate the film's fortieth anniversary, offering a high-quality viewing experience for fans.
Dog Day Afternoon has received widespread critical acclaim, with a weighted average score of 86/100 on Metacritic based on 15 critics' ratings.

AllMovie gave the movie five stars out of five, defining it as "a quintessential 1970s story" that captures the contemporary tensions of the time.
The film's television premiere on NBC's Sunday Night Big Event in 1979 was a censored and shortened version, marking a significant milestone in its release history.
Christopher Null wrote in 2006 that the film "captures perfectly the zeitgeist of the early 1970s", highlighting its relevance to the era's social and cultural context.
The San Francisco Chronicle reflected on the time of its release, noting that it seemed as if the great movies would never stop, echoing the creative burst of the 1970s.
Rotten Tomatoes certified the film to be "fresh" with a score of 96% based on 47 reviews, solidifying its reputation as a classic of American cinema.
The A.V. Club praised the cinematography by Kemper, saying it captures the joy as well as the decay of a crowded city, adding to the film's enduring appeal.
Queering the Oscars: Chris Sarandon

Chris Sarandon, an actor known for his versatility and range, has made a lasting impact on the film industry. He's best known for his portrayal of Prince Humperdinck in the 1987 film "The Princess Bride", a role that has become iconic in popular culture.
Sarandon's performance in "The Princess Bride" showcased his ability to play complex and nuanced characters.
In Popular Culture
The 1977 Italian film Operazione Kappa: sparate a vista was loosely based on Dog Day Afternoon.
The film's influence can be seen in various forms of media, including the 1987 Hong Kong action film Yan man ying hung (People's Hero), which was a remake of the film.
Actor Hank Azaria used an imitation voice based on Pacino's Dog Day Afternoon character for his audition on The Simpsons.
This voice eventually became the final voice of Moe Szyslak.
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Verified Cast List
The verified cast list for the movie "Dog Day Afternoon" is a fascinating look at the talented actors who brought this true story to life. Here are some interesting facts about the cast.
Al Pacino played the lead role of Sonny Wortzik, a bank robber who took hostages in a Brooklyn bank in 1972. This was one of Pacino's most iconic roles.
The supporting cast includes John Cazale as Sal Naturile, Charles Durning as Sergeant Eugene Moretti, and Chris Sarandon as Leon Shermer. These actors delivered memorable performances that added depth to the film.
Penelope Allen played the role of Sylvia 'Mouth', a friend of Sonny's who gets caught up in the chaos of the bank robbery. Her character's interactions with Sonny are particularly noteworthy.
Sully Boyar played the role of Mulvaney, a bank employee who tries to calm down the situation. His character's dialogue is often humorous and provides some comic relief in an otherwise tense film.
Here is a list of the main cast members:
The rest of the cast includes many talented actors who delivered strong performances in supporting roles.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many Oscars did Dog Day Afternoon win?
Dog Day Afternoon won one Academy Award, specifically for Best Original Screenplay.
Who was the real Sonny in Dog Day Afternoon?
The real-life inspiration for the character Sonny in Dog Day Afternoon was John Wojtowicz, an American bank robber who was sentenced to 20 years in prison but served only five years. His daring 1972 bank heist in Brooklyn, New York, captivated the nation and later inspired the 1975 film.
Sources
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dog_Day_Afternoon
- https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0072890/fullcredits
- https://warnerbros.fandom.com/wiki/Dog_Day_Afternoon
- http://thefilmexperience.net/blog/2023/6/17/queering-the-oscars-chris-sarandon-in-dog-day-afternoon.html
- https://www.deepfocusreview.com/definitives/dog-day-afternoon/
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