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Parents' Guide to

Serpico

By Renee Longstreet, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 17+

Gritty, mature cop story with violence and nudity.

Movie R 1973 130 minutes
Serpico Poster Image

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What you will—and won't—find in this movie.

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Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say Not yet rated
Kids say (4 ):

SERPICO is a movie released in 1973 that is as impactful and relevant today as it was when it was made. Performances, writing, attention to detail, and the visual story-telling are all first rate. With stark, harsh scenes which show greed and savagery on the part of both the criminals and the law enforcement officers assigned to protect the public, it is a story of courage, risk, and weighty consequences for both the hero and those he opposes.

Frank Serpico was an "outsider" in company that followed a code of protecting the police brotherhood at all costs. His dilemma transcended the confines of the station house and will have resonance for older teens and adults who find his story and this film both relatable and admirable.

Movie Details

  • In theaters: December 5, 1973
  • On DVD or streaming: December 2, 2002
  • Cast: Al Pacino
  • Director: Sidney Lumet
  • Studio: Paramount Pictures
  • Genre: Drama
  • Run time: 130 minutes
  • MPAA rating: R
  • MPAA explanation: for strong violence including rape, pervasive strong language, sexuality/nudity
  • Award: Golden Globe
  • Last updated: September 14, 2023

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