Pacino Reflects on Career at ‘Dog Day Afternoon’ 50th Anniversary

Santa Monica, Calif. — Al Pacino celebrated the 50th anniversary of his iconic film “Dog Day Afternoon” with a screening at the American Cinematheque’s Aero Theatre on March 8. Surrounded by fans and friends, the 84-year-old actor reflected on his career, sharing moments from the film and teasing insights about his upcoming projects.

During the event, which drew a sell-out crowd, Pacino discussed the emotional weight of revisiting “Dog Day Afternoon,” a classic that chronicles a botched bank robbery. “A lot of those people who I was playing with… are gone. It’s very moving seeing your old friends,” he told the audience. He acknowledged the film’s complexity, noting, “I’m feeling very good about it — and I’m feeling very sad about it, I must say. It’s a sad film in some ways, you know?”

Pacino, who has been a key figure in Hollywood for over five decades, reflected on his favorite roles. When asked about his most enjoyable character, he said, “Most fun role? I think ‘Dick Tracy,'” briefly praising director Warren Beatty. However, he later revealed his ultimate favorite, stating, “Nothing touches ‘Scarface.'” He recounted how a screening of the classic film inspired him to pursue the role, citing, “I felt responsible for it, you know?”

The actor also touched on his recent project, a film adaptation of Shakespeare’s “King Lear” directed by Bernard Rose. “I think we’ve got a shot with ‘King Lear,'” he shared, humorously commenting on the editing process, which he joked could take several years.

During the Q&A session, Pacino was candid about the challenges he faced in iconic scenes from “Dog Day Afternoon.” He reminisced about legendary improvisations, including the powerful “Attica! Attica!” moment, which resonated deeply with the crowd at the time and remains memorable today. “The more open a director like Lumet is, the more those things are gonna happen,” he explained.

Attendees included notable figures like Jeff Goldblum and Jenny Lumet, daughter of the film’s director Sidney Lumet. In a moving exchange during the Q&A, Jenny remarked on her father’s influence, saying, “I miss my dad… I heard him ad-libbing as an actor in this film. I said, ‘I know that voice.’” Pacino, agreeing with her sentiments, shared, “Sidney, he was a really good actor!”

In a humorous moment, a fan asked Pacino to name his most challenging role. After joking about the challenge of these types of lectures, he acknowledged that many of his roles were difficult, with “Dog Day Afternoon” being significant among them.

The event not only celebrated the film but also highlighted Pacino’s lasting impact on cinema. His storytelling and reflections connected with audiences, reinforcing the timelessness of his art and the films he has brought to life.