Dog Day Afternoon (1975 Sidney Lumet)

A true story, written up in 'Life' magazine in 1972 by P.F. Kluge and Thomas Moore as 'The Boys in the Bank' - I think the book by Leslie Waller aka Patrick Mann is just a novelisation of the film, which was written by Frank Pierson. I can see why people turn novels into films, but not the other way round. Anyhow, most of the plot details (the sex change and relationship with other 'wife', interaction with hostages, even the reactions of the crowd, the ending) were all substantially true. The Attica prison riot which the robber throws at the bystanders occurred in 1971 where prisoners took control of the prison with demands for better conditions - 43 died.

It has a good, taut beginning (there's no music in any of the film), but it's also amusing - one of the three loses his nerve and goes home! Leaving Al Pacino and John Cazale, who is at once sympathetic and worrying - they're both Vietnam vets, but he's the one the FBI identify as being the true threat.

Pierson also wrote The Anderson Tapes, A Star Is Born (which coincidentally is seen playing at a cinema in this film  - though it must have been one of the earlier versions - even so...) and Cool Hand Luke, and ended up a consulting producer on Mad Men.

Penelope Allen is good as the senior (and most feisty) bank teller, Sully Boyar the manager. With Beulah Garrick, Carol Kane, Sandra Kazan, Marcia Jean Kurtz, Amy Levitt, John Marriott (guard). And Charles Durning (lead cop), Gary Springer, James Broderick (FBI), and Susan Peretz and Chris Sarandon as the two wives.

Marcia Jane Kurtz, Penelope Allen and Al Pacino

Shot on location by Victor J Kemper and edited by Dede Allen, her deft touch evident in the one and only time Pacino fires his rifle, and the ensuing flurry of montage.