City Room: Watching 'Serpico' With Serpico

[kuriaki71]

A real man

[Seniorap64]

Frank Serpico is an American hero. He had the cojones to go against the norm and stand up to what is right. Unfortunately the NYPD is still corrupt and they are the largest gang in New York City. Innocent people get harassed or arrested by crooked cops. Screw you Mayor Bloomberg and all you politicians. New York City government sucked in the days of Serpico and it still sucks today!

[michelemaggi1]

grande franco.......evviva gli italiani nati in america!!!!

[curtmastor]

"not one of new yorks 39,000 showed up to give me blood"

Gee wonder why.

[southcop]

CONGRATS Officer  SERPICO.YOU HAVE MY RESPECT!!

[NlHILIST]

Congrats Frank Serpico - you gave a sense to your life.

[adr4120]

i watched this in class the other day. great movie. he's a hero

[susankhamilton]

When asked by Pacino why he stepped forward, Serpico replied: “If I didn't, who would I be when I listened to a piece of music?”

[stellaashker1]

@susankhamilton After that statement Pacino said he felt compelled to play the part!! And what a good job he did of it too, don't you think?

[battymomof3]

Thank You! Shared, Liked, etc

[TheStudyOfPedro]

Frank Serpico is a person that cop's should have aspired to be back then and today.

[kurwinsky]

When do his memoires are going to be printed?

[wrodjr]

My two heroes are Frank Serpico and Bernard Goetz!

[wrodjr]

Way to go! Serpico! We need more guys like you in the NYPD!

[vokshumana]

Sandor Potefi said: ``I want to live in peace with myself, not with the world.``

[laneese1970]

A great hero!

[MAXNMOLLY]

RAT!

[getoutofmyway01]

@MAXNMOLLY Yeah, ratting on CORRUPTION. That's not a rat, that's a standup guy. A hero and a man of integrity. 

[nicodale100]

@MAXNMOLLY YOU ARE A MOTHERFUCKER, LITTLE AND INSIGNIFICANT "man" GO FUCK YOURSELF, GO TO HELL..YOU AND ALL THE OTHER SHIT PERSON LIKE YOU.SHUT UP FOOL!!!STUPID, LOSER..PUT A MIDDLE FIGER RIGHT IN YOUR ASS AND THE SING....ASSHOLE!

[nobodyprepper]

Many years ago I went to a conference of a magazine ... to hear SERPICO ... and one point he said in a dialect of southern Italy about corruption in the police "LU PESCE PUZZA DA LA CAPA ALLA CODA ... means... that the fish always stinks from the head to tail" ... great ... SERPICO

[kiltyarse99]

I like that Frank Serpico has no regrets. A truly honourable individual.

[ThommyBoy421]

Mr. Serpico, you are my hero. I am only 24 years old. You will not soon be forgotten. My children's children will know your name. I think I'll name my son Paco :)

[supremeobliterator]

I would vote for Frank if he ran for any political office ! The news would probably lie about him left and right but I would not listen to them. We need an honest man in the White house, honest men in Congress, The Senate, in charge of Police departments and other government offices.

we need men like Frank far more then we need any Health care Plan !

[Serpico261]

god bless you frank serpico

[tornmask]

Frankie "Serpico" is my NYC hero & my favorite movie besides "Billy Jack" too! =0]

[mickman31187]

I was very inspred by "Serpico" to do the exact thing he did 30 years later. Search on you tube Michael Mickman Gourdine

[gozafago]

Serpica you're a hero!

[roscoegino]

Thank you so much for this. I've watched SERPICO dozens of times. (RIP Sidney Lumet). Awesome to see The real Serpico commenting on the film.

[SuperOmnicron]

Very sobering account by Frank Serpico. Still one of the greatest true stories put to film. Im glad they caught up with the man, and he was able to give an account of what happened.

[Rlzee]

Thanks for posting this. Sometimes we forget how important the Film medium can be. They don't make guys like this often...a for-real Hero. Real Heroes don't have it easy, that's for sure.

[SheWoreLemon83]

@Rlzee You're exactly right about the importance of the film medium, I never heard of Serpico until I decided to watch the movie simply because I've just recently gotten into Al Pacino. A film that allows me to discover not only great film making or acting talent, but also a real life hero is in my book a contribution to society and culture.

[Gossage54]

@SheWoreLemon83 Keep exploring. Get off facebook and twitter and look into the past. Great films from the 70s you could spend almost a lifetime exploring.

[ThomasNBVB]

he even sounds like pacino lol

[BalkanibalX]

Fuck Batman, this guy is the real deal

[maggiev77]

@dasboot180 - you have it all wrong. One should expect to be able to join the NYPD and not find corruption. The statement written reads as if it is excusing the NYPD for their bad moraes and influence, and that Frank Serpico is the bad guy for wanting the organization to have the integrity its supposed to have. Frank Serpico is heroic for standing by his principles and integrity, regardless of the peer pressure, insults and exclusion that he experienced during this tenure with the NYPD.

[bleep77]

"You have to go up against the odds to do the right thing"

Mr. Serpico, you are a real hero and a true inspiration.

[Potsie791]

@bleep77 Doggone right!

[dasboot19801]

I applaud Frank Serpico for his integrity. But, if you think you're going to be in the NYPD and not encounter corruption, then you shouldn't be in the NYPD. He comes off naive, and sanctimonious. Sorry, but it is what it is, and we do more good than bad. If you can't stomach it, join the fire department.

[Potsie791]

@dasboot19801 I'm sorry but that is nothing but a sad, lame excuse that everybody who refuses to stop or deal with corruption in the world uses. If anyone sees corruption, and they are not part of the solution, they are part of the problem. If you see ANY type of wrongdoing, and you don't step in and stop it, then you're just as guilty as the perpetrators. If you see someone bleeding on the street, do you walk away and say I'm not a paramedic. I think you are the naive one here, sorry.

[dasboot19801]

@Potsie791 I'm being naive? I used to think like you do, then I grew up. What did Serpico change? Nothing. The NYPD shuffled the deck, retired some anti-crime guys. But, payoffs never stopped, and they exist today. For every corrupt NYPD cop, there are 25 honest ones. Considering the temptation on the street, thats about as good as its going to get. It's always been there, and it will always be there. I'm not condoning it, nor would I be a rat. I'm being realistic.

[Potsie791]

@dasboot19801 You just contradicted yourself, and if may quote you, you said "...we do more good than bad." Then, we you replied to my comment, you said "For every corrupt NYPD cop, there are 25 honest ones." Serpico may not have changed anything, but at least he had the courage to stand up to it. I agree that there will always be some bad apples in the police department, but anyone who sees corruption should do their very best to stop it, as Serpico tried to.

[dasboot19801]

@Potsie791 I dont see how the comment "..we do more good than bad" conflicts with "For every corrupt NYPD cop, there are 25 honest ones." 25 Good cops have a much more overall positive impact than the wrongdoing a bad cop will affect. You seem like a sharp, open minded fellow.

Here's the blunt truth. Theres too much illegal money being offered by criminals to too many vulnerable officers. A certain percentage is going to take the money. IAB integrity tests snare some, but its always there.

[Potsie791]

@dasboot19801 Sorry, I was wrong. I misinterpreted what you said, I thought you were saying 25 corrupt cops for every honest one. I had that backwards, sorry. When I'm wrong, I say it. After reviewing your comments, yes, I do agree with you: to some degree, corruption, and the bad apples will always be there. You're right, corruption, not just in law enforcement, but in any walk of life, can never be completely eradicated. But we should still try to eliminate as much of it as possible.

[Pick1980a]

@dasboot19801 With all due respect it was a lot worse back then. A lot worse.

[bowlsallbroken]

@dasboot19801

"nor would I be a rat."

Ah, the Thin Blue Line - Cop culture destroys integrity.

[flipadiddle]

@dasboot19801 are you really calling frank serpico naive?! dude. for real. LOOK AT THE FUCKING GUY.

[Shelby596]

great man, great movie, great actor.

[gatitaenbota]

When I saw the movie I would have liked to meet the real Serpico. I was living in Ferney-Voltaire, France, the other side of the airport from Geneva, Switzerland. May have passed him in the street but didn't know who he was.

[irishamer7]

god bless you serpico you are my hero!

[LaVitaInUnAttimo]

Serpico iz the real super hero like superman or batman dont forgot him never ....never...!!!!!

[PURPLEBEATTIE1]

What a marvellous man.A true hero.Someone I hugely admire

[verdemanthe1]

I salute you serpico

[Shoferchina1]

Serpico,thanks and respect from Belgrade,Serbia!

[Eugene012]

Thanks Serpico! 

[msmelancholy1]

thanks for posting this video. i was really ineresting. He had such guts to do what he did. Very brave man.

[uncleelmer]

Ive seen the movie and read t he book "Serpico" and it has been a life long inspiration and I can truthfully day that in my own little world I have had an occasion recently where I had to do the right thing and it was Serpico that was a guiding force

[8myhomework]

He is still an example to us all...a REAL HERO!!!

[numajohn]

@skilur44 YOU ONLY HAVE 4 BRAIN CELLS, THOSE FOR THE FOUR LETTER WORD LIKE SO MANY STUPID AMERICANS

[2paczfan]

wow this guy got game

i'd like to change clothes everyday like that

[queefbreeze]

Fuck you who anyway you filthy dago wop cocksucker

[BreezesofConey]

The corruption of a political system is not representative of the entire population of a city. Get to know REAL people from NYC and you'll find they are the greatest . This coming from a twit from the green hills of Surrey, UK. I visited NY for the first time in 73, never went home. Seen it all bad and good. Never had such memorable moments as I have had here. My only regret is that not all have as much regard for NYC as I can see many still do today. Otherwise the city would still belong to us

[mickman31187]

I posted a response video under the name Michael Gourdine P.O. shield#31187, tax I.D. # 904062.......Hear the truth about the N.Y.P.D........search the name Michael Gourdine.

[TheBermudaMan]

Sometimes I can't help but wonder if evil and wickedness are the natural orders of the cosmos, given how those who strive to be honest and decent are always looked upon as being freakish deviants.

Looking at SERPICO (the movie) with a Christian perspective, I often see Frank as an angel who is mocked and derided by an entire city that's already made its pact with the Devil.

[BreezesofConey]

@TheBermudaMan I wonder this same thing all the time. Evil, hate, and violence seen to come so naturally to mankind whilst he is shunned for goodness. From a Christian perspective I believe it is something along the lines of the evil brought forth by Satan is strong and it takes a lot of faith, equal strength (if not more) and will power to overcome it's temptation.

[queefbreeze]

I visited NYC It's a shithole especially that Macy Day bullshit fuckin crap

[BreezesofConey]

@queefbreeze how can you judge life in an entire city by the freakin macy's parade? moron. Most NY'rs are anywhere BUT those stupid parades, we're at home with our families.

[jbdream3]

Frank Serpico for President!

[skylur44]

New York City is so ugly, I know it has great theaters, shops, things to do, musuems, etc but it looks like the bottom circle of hell.

[endgammer]

@skylur44 Wow..I'm sorry you feel that way. I've never seen it as the bottom circle of hell, even when Dinkins was the mayor.

[skylur44]

@endgammer Just a personal observation, not my cup of tea, despite the fact I know it has the best museums, theater, culture, etc and everyone in my family loves it. I prefer more rural areas.

[jbdream3]

@skylur44 That's a very stereotypical way of looking at it. At least you never hear about any serial murders in NY as much as you hear it in Seatle, WA or California, etc except that one time in 1977 with the incident of David Berkewitz AKA the Son of Sam.There's crime everywhere, not just NYC. You probably watched too many Death wish movies or your just ignorant. I grew up in Brooklyn. If you are a native NYer, you certainly have an ignorant attitude towards it.

[skylur44]

@jbdream3 Hey, different strokes, etc; I personally would never live in NY or for that matter, even visit. Yes, there is crime everywhere, but NY seems to hvae a plethora of it. (Hope you make it to Christmas, LOL!) I prefer less violent places, and while you are taking offense, you must realize that NY has a terrible reputation around the world and millions of poeple view NY as corrupt and very dangerous. If you are not aware of that, you are either terribly disingenuous or extremely ignorant.

[jbdream3]

@skylur44 Excuse me?! I beg your pardon?! You never even lived your whole life in NY! I was born and raised in NY and I think I know a little more about it's culture then you ever will! The last time any serial murders took place in NYC was in 1977 with David Berkewitz and Joel Rifkin in the 1990's! When was the most recent serial killer reported in Manhattan in the last 5 years?!

[BreezesofConey]

@jbdream3 Does it even matter if NYC is "safe" now? We were much stronger people before all the pussies moved in and thouht they needed to clean the city up to make it nicer and prettier and more presentable when the truth is that they are pussies like everyone else who is afraid of the big bad city. I've lived in NYC since 1973. I remember it all. My S.O. was born and raised in Brooklyn- lived all over the city. Bushwick during the blackout. He's the best person I ever met, strong yet human.

[jbdream3]

@skylur44 You tell me, since you are trying to be the know it all of sociology! (And unsuccessfully at that attempt I might add) It's obvious that you don't even have the slightest notion as to what you are talking about! I don't live in NY anymore because it's too expensive! I live down south because it's warmer down here, but I lived in NY the first 26 years of my life!

[jbdream3]

@skylur44 You never even visited NY, let alone lived there, so you're the one who is making a jerk out of himself by defending your biased assumptions and uneducated speculations on it! So, who's the ignorant one now?!

[skylur44]

@jbdream3 Hey, I don't have to like it. You do. So fuck off.

[jbdream3]

@skylur44 Yeah! Can't take the heat! The truth is a serial killer, isn't it?! Oh, and for the record, this has nothing to do with you liking it! Therefore, my theory on your philosophy was correct!

[BreezesofConey]

@jbdream3 This is a conversation I wish I had gotten in on MUCH sooner! I get sick of people knocking my city, especially those who don't know a god damned thing about it! Three cheers for those who actually have the courage, strength and endurance to withstand life here. Most people would fail miserably but it takes a very rare kind to overcome it. NY'rs have every force imaginable against them yet they push on without or without the affection of outsiders, they don't need their love to do so.

[BreezesofConey]

@BreezesofConey Like I always say, takes a New York attitude to approach those who disapprove and flaunt piousness about whatever hole in America's hinterlands they come from and judge us from what they see on TV- Don't like it here? Then fuck off and mind your own business, who asked you anyhow? Don't like it here then don't move here, we need the space anyway so PLEASE go away!!

[CheechMarin4TW]

@skylur44

Funny you say NYC has alot of crime considering it's definitely one of the safest cities in the country if not THE safest city in the country.

The only people who believe in a 30+ year old reputation are either poor and uneducated, morons who read shitty gossip magazines for their "news," or people who have some irrational hate of NY. Basically only the ignorant still believe that.

[ph03n1xamb1t]

@jbdream3

Is New York still as exciting/artistic as it was in the seventies or has it suffered from the gentrification

[SERPICO936]

I was a cop and you were always my point of reference...but it was very hard to fight against the corrupt sistem in South America !...

[lukcgepwr70]

I was born and raised in NYC. I saw the movie "Serpico" when I was in my teens. I can't imagine the crap he went through for just wanting to be a officer that wasn't on the "take". I'd like to think of Frank Serpico as one of my many mentors as I served in the military and the sheriff's office. Integrity and honor should never be for sale. God bless you Frank .

[tornmask]

@lukcgepwr70 : AMEN! ;0]

[Anonymous1226]

its kinda iron how he's 73 years old and the film came out in '73

[paleskkkin83]

They need policemen like Mr. Serpico in the town of Imperial California where I'm originally from, the cops there are worthless and pathetic and are nothing more than criminals with badges. All they ever do is go around harassing and intimidating innocent people just for the sake of abusing power and killing time.

[libertineoverdose187]

best film of all time and im reading the book and loving it

[crdub77]

THIS GUY IS AN ASSHOLE MY FATHER WAS HIS C.O. IN THE EARLY 70'S HE WAS A FUCK UP THEN AND HE IS STILL A FUCK UP. IM WRITTING MY OWN BOOK TOO AND THE COMPLAINT THAT MY FATHER WROTE UP ON HIM WILL SHED LIGHT OF WHY AND HOW I CAN CALL HIM AN ASSHOLE ...HE WAS NOT SHOT IN THE FACE BUT ON HIS EAR LOBE THE MOVIE SERPICO WAS SUED...THE DIRECTOR DINO DELARENTIS WAS SUED AND SERPICO AS THEY MADE IT LOOK LIKE THE TWO COPS ON THE STAIR CASE DID NOTHIG TO HELP HIM WHEN IN FACT THEY WERE SHOT TWICE..ASS

[pat9403]

@crdub77 Asshole or not - the film was about corruption in the NYPD. Even if the facts were exaggerated or even wrong for story purposes the greater point is that there is sometimes corruption and that's not good.

[skylur44]

@crdub77 So then your father was also on the take? There were two kinds of cops then, those on the take and were against Serpico and those who weren't, and from what I understand, there were none who were not on the take...so, while Serpico may be seen as an asshole by his enemies, that does nothing to detract from his heroism.

[endgammer]

@crdub77 Dino DeLaurentiis didn't direct the movie.

[guayubincelular]

yo lo considero como el padre de la onestidad kisiera que viniera alguien asi a republica dominicana y acabara con estos delicuentes uniformados

[guayubincelular]

yo lo considero como el padre de la onestidad kisiera que viniera alguien asi a republica dominicana y acabara con estos delicuentes uniformados

[ReeseMac]

I'd love to hear him do DVD commentary on the movie. This clip alone was interesting because of his first hand insight.

[Potsie791]

Serpico is a hero. It takes courage to do the right thing. He stood up to corruption in the face of death. God bless him!

[ph03n1xamb1t]

@Potsie791

It takes someone without a mortgage to do the right thing

[Potsie791]

@ph03n1xamb1t Not true. All you need is character to do the right thing.

[VecaisUzbeks]

Great man!!!

[mteaseven]

Well there should be a HUGE celebration for you. You are a HERO!!!!!!!!!!111

[percyharper]

what a man.

[andro43]

eroe!!!

[jonaeski]

God Bless Serpico! Coming from NYC, He is a true hero. He should be in the college curriculum and should be in mentioned in every law enforcement academy class!!!!!

[moarbogeysss]

What a guy.  What a life. Guys like him should be young kids heroes. Not rock stars, actors or superstar athletes !!

[C5TRAMELL]

It' really moving listening to him talk, watching his eyes...

It's so hard for an honest man to cope in a world of dirt ...

You are a HERO SERPICO !!!

[jerzy862]

Al Pacino in the movie looked almost exactly like the real Frank 40 years ago.

[TotalDeadEnd]

Now THAT's a true Black Belt right there. He exemplifies what a true Martial Artist should be. Mad respect.

[danguitarflorida]

Serpico is synonymous with integrity . I can truly relate to him because i worked intelligence for 37 years . For men of evil to prevail men of integrity must be silent .

I watched the Knapp hearings and remember his testimony very well . FRANK , YOU DID A GREAT JOB !!!!!!

[cinecrazedotcom]

If Paramount were to revisit "Serpico" in a special edition DVD/Blu-ray, this would make for a compelling commentary track. I've always wanted to know his opinion of the finished film and what cinematic liberties were taken with his story.

[mteaseven]

Frank Serpico....A true American hero! .....Thank you for your courage...This is an amazing piece of video!!. Al Pacino did an amazing job acting in this real life role....the music by Mikis Theodorakis touches my soul.....

[ALEXisSPANISH]

This man is a legend.

[JohnnyBrooksdotcom]

the book is flippin awesome

the movie is good too

[D3MONxOFLiFE]

wow pacino really did look the part

amazing story. amazing man

[kaville65]

Serpico was an honorable man working in an unhonorable system. I think he's a cool dude! I watched Serpico for the first time in many years last Saturday and decided to go looking for some current information. Glad to hear "Paco" is still alive and kicking!

[bigbadjoe39]

a true American hero

[piastrella68]

franck sei un grande ... sei l'onore dell'italia e di napoli...

[ipepruf]

i am from Naples near the city of born Serpico.....AMAZING MAN!!!!! sample for ANY person, of any religion, nationality, color....

[bebop54]

serpico was born in brooklyn in very rough neighborhood ..

his mother & father came from napoli ..

[GodChristLord]

So true. When the honest in a profession have to watch out for the dishonest. Good slices away bad just like a knife slices through a stick of soft butter.

[carb13]

I respect him what a wonderful human being.

If i was given a chance to meet anyone I wanted it would be Serpico

[chrisbotron]

Serpico is a hero

[bigbadjoe39]

@chrisbotron amen a true American hero

[bigbadjoe39]

@chrisbotron amen a true American hero

[jbdream3]

It's really ironic how much Al Pacino and the real Frank Serpico look so much alike. The two of them could pass for brothers. It's really weird.

[VideoPussy]

@jbdream3

Uh It really isnt weird seeing as they are both Italian-american..

[jbdream3]

@VideoPussy What I mean is it's weird because they both are not related biologically. Don't take it personally if that's what you're doing.

[VideoPussy]

@jbdream3

I'm not related to them biologically either. But they look like me too. A lot of us southern Italians look very similar like we could be brothers or cousins.

[bbuffons]

I adore this man

[smithriverdude]

Support IA.

[nofrontiersoul]

Tough GUY !! I read 4 times the book in italian I really like people like him.

100% determinated to do the right thing. Great human being, did you hear: no regret...

My respect Mr. Serpico.

[CARDMAN365]

What a person people should try to be like him.

[jamminjuk]

respect

[jbdream3]

Det.Frank Serpico is a wonderful man. I wish there were more people like him. God bless you Frank, Det. Serpico.

[Hoffasgrave]

@jbdream3 I second this.. Great man he is..

[SurgeCess]

frank is a unique man, he's uniquely unique.

[reliantyth]

Serpico was a FAKE!!

[ExposingTheGOP]

@reliantyth SHUT THE FUCK UP YOU FUCKING SLIME

[LordSirpiko]

we love you frank!

too bad the whole force wasnt honest.. then maybe the police would have some respect.

[regulargeye2009]

He keep it real....very, very rare type of person in the world.

[Asiablue]

Above the arch leading into the tomb of King Tutankamen in Egypt are the words: "May God be between you and harm in all the empty places you must walk."

Serpico is a great man with angels on both shoulders. Had he died in the shootout, where would we be now?

Long live the honest and true! And pray for all the unsung heros who walk in empty places, as in the days of Officer Frank Serpico.

[jbdream3]

The great Frank Serpico for NYC mayor! Serpico is still a hero and always will be. I wish there were more cops like him. God bless you Officer Frank Serpico.

[eddiemambo]

Good to know he's still around enjoying life

[hempoilsoldier]

best cop in ny ever

[bryan350z]

kinda cool looking for a 70yr old

[WilliamRowlett]

@bryan350z Still the hippy. But I like it. Having italian myself in my bloodline, you love seeing a real-life guy like him prove that not all sicilians are John Gottis.

[bryan350z]

@WilliamRowlett yeah but guess what? Jersey shore season II is coming!

[shaspassren]

i was reading this in the times very interesting and i dont care what ppl say he did good you got to look out for yourself

[Luckilius]

I'd rather be a rat than a lizard crawling on my belly, like those crooked cops were. Idiot.

[oldhacks]

HAHAHA. We're all o drugs now serpico! You FAILED! HAHAHA

[petnousi]

An amazing man...