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Serpico
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<p><i>Serpico</i> is a 1973 <a href="/facts/Biography_film/lkJANhWB">biographical</a>-<a href="/facts/Crime_film/IbSVYSme">crime film</a> directed by <a href="/facts/Sidney_Lumet/jsKVHTbX">Sidney Lumet</a> and starring <a href="/facts/Al_Pacino/8tPrw0PP">Al Pacino</a>. The screenplay was adapted by <a href="/facts/Waldo_Salt/MDPrGlmX">Waldo Salt</a> and <a href="/facts/Norman_Wexler/KpSssw8s">Norman Wexler</a> from the book of the same name written by <a href="/facts/Peter_Maas/6GCaXs8A">Peter Maas</a> with the assistance of its subject, <a href="/facts/Frank_Serpico/0g5jyYWH">Frank Serpico</a>. The story details Serpico's struggle with corruption within the <a href="/facts/New_York_City_Police_Department/hKR106kT">New York City Police Department</a> during his eleven years of service, and his work as a <a href="/facts/Whistleblower/Ah5QHEW1">whistleblower</a> that led to the investigation by the <a href="/facts/Knapp_Commission/tdbgVf7U">Knapp Commission</a>. </p><p>Producer <a href="/facts/Dino_De_Laurentiis/ve4F4T5L">Dino De Laurentiis</a> purchased the rights from Maas. Agent <a href="/facts/Martin_Bregman/u9l0TxC8">Martin Bregman</a> joined the film as co-producer. Bregman suggested Pacino for the main part, and <a href="/facts/John_G._Avildsen/KGl9M0lu">John G. Avildsen</a> was hired to direct the film. Pacino met with Serpico to prepare for the role early in the summer of 1973. After Avildsen was dismissed, Lumet was hired as his replacement. On a short notice, he selected the shooting locations and organized the scenes; the production was filmed in July and August. </p><p>Upon its release, <i>Serpico</i> became a critical and commercial success. At the same time, the film drew criticism from police officers. It received nominations for the <a href="/facts/Academy_Awards/CwTxYuNQ">Academy Awards</a> and <a href="/facts/BAFTA_Awards/GszEPR7E">BAFTA Awards</a>. Pacino earned the <a href="/facts/Golden_Globe_Award_for_Best_Actor_%E2%80%93_Motion_Picture_Drama/y2dLM3Kv">Golden Globe Award for Best Actor – Motion Picture Drama</a>, while Salt and Wexler received the <a href="/facts/Writers_Guild_of_America_Award_for_Best_Adapted_Screenplay/4qNLTDuS">Writers Guild of America Award for Best Adapted Screenplay</a>. </p>