Original subtitles

This is car 2118, call Greenpoint Hospital

and tell 'em we're bringing in a wounded cop.

Eighth Precinct.

Yeah.

Jesus Christ.

Guess who got shot.

Serpico.

You think a cop did it?

I know six cops said they'd like to.

Hello?

- Sidney? - Yeah.

New York Times. Serpico's been shot.

Oh, my God.

They're taking him to Greenpoint.

I'll see you there.

To be a police officer means to believe in the law and to enforce it impartially,

respecting the equality of all men, and the dignity and worth of every individual.

Every day, your life will be on the line.

And also your character.

You'll need integrity, courage, honesty, compassion, courtesy,

and perseverance and patience.

You men are now prepared to join the war against crime

and put the theory you have learned into practice in the streets.

Same time, same place, both reports.

I already made out a full report.

Are you covering this, Lieutenant?

Yes, Chief Green.

Who was with Serpico?

Heinemann and Julio.

I want 'em interrogated.

I want this conducted as an official Departmental investigation.

Transcripts by 9AM.

Another thing. I want a 24-hour guard on Serpico.

- Yes, sir. - You two, over there.

Jeff T. Sardon.

Ralph Siden.

Frank Serpico.

Frankie!

Come on, Marianne wants a good shot.

Hey, get closer!

Patrolman Serpico.

Upstairs. See the roll call man.

Harry!

Take a map of the precinct and memorize your post and sectors.

This week, you're eight to four.

Next week, four to midnight.

You grab an empty locker.

Any questions, the older guys will fill you in.

Good luck.

Yo! Eight o'clock, let's go!

Come on, gather round! Let's move.

Alright, settle down.

Let's go.

Alright, there's just a few announcements today, and two new men.

On the board on my left, you see Squad One, Blue Sector.

Squad Two, Red Sector. Squad Three, Green Sector.

Now, we want summonses, summonses, summonses!

- I'll help the boys tomorrow. - OK.

This is Frank Serpico, Charlie.

- Hello, Frank. - Hello, Charlie.

How about some cream chicken today?

Sounds good to me.

No, I think I'll have, uh...

How about a roast beef on roll?

Yeah, OK.

You go through the line. I'll bring it over.

Peluce.

It's all fat here.

I saw real lean beef over there.

Come on, take it easy. Sit down, sit down.

- What's the matter? - Don't be so fussy.

It's free.

Well, I'm not fussy, but I don't know how I'm gonna eat this.

Listen, Charlie's an OK guy.

We give him a break on double-parking on deliveries.

Couldn't I pay for it? Get what I want?

Frank, generally, you just sorta take what Charlie gives you.

Sector D, David. 10-34.

Possible rape in progress.

Vicinity of PS 2-18, Grand Avenue and 80 Expressway.

Hey, Becker. Aren't we gonna take that?

Oh, relax, Frank. It's not our sector.

It's on the borderline.

I'm gonna take it.

D Sector, 15-47.

10-4.

Oh, my God!

Hold it!

Hold it! Police officer!

Oh, shit!

Don't shoot.

Be cool.

Alright. OK.

Put your guns away. Put your guns away now.

Come on, goddamn it! I said put the motherfucking guns away!

I'll cut her, goddamn it.

Turn the motherfucking light out, man!

I'll cut her, man. I'll cut her.

Now, you just be cool, goddamn it.

Just be cool.

Alright.

Alright. Alright.

That's it.

The other one took his thing out.

He put it up to my mouth.

He held me down.

They said if I didn't do it,

they'd kill me.

She's gonna make a hell of a witness.

Would you like a stretcher?

Muscles, he's all yours. I'll call you from the hospital.

OK, hard-on.

Who were your playmates?

Hey, Frank. You want a piece of this?

No. I'm gonna fill out the arrest card.

Hey, Charlie.

Let me have five minutes with him?

- Sure. - Thanks.

Thank you, Charlie.

That prick really worked you over. How do you feel?

How come you didn't stay for the fun?

That's not my kind of fun.

Yeah.

I wanna talk to you.

I wanna take you across the street. Get you a cup of coffee.

Without cuffs.

Now, look.

I didn't touch you upstairs, right?

You take off on me, I'll put one in your back. Understand?

Come on.

Goddamn shame you're gonna take this whole rap yourself.

Well, maybe you're guilty, maybe you're not.

Maybe you just went along for the ride.

I got a feeling you just went along.

But you're the one who got caught.

You never even got your cock out.

Put it in the report.

It's in the report.

Look at you.

- I can't eat. - No, you can't.

I don't understand you. You know that?

What're you, obligated to those guys?

Fuck it.

They left you holding the bag. You don't owe them nothin'.

They're gonna put you away. You know that?

What can I get?

Oh, let's see. Kidnapping.

Sodomy.

Rape.

Are you kidding me?

Here.

You talk to me.

Save yourself.

You're not gonna send someone over? Look, look.

McCoy, I get one, I'm gonna lose the other.

Now, look, Serpico. That's Muscle's case.

He's off for a couple days. I can't cut it.

They're here, now!

- It'll keep. - No, it won't!

Police officer! Hold it!

Hold it!

Turn around.

Come on, man.

Come on. Please take that gun from my head.

Turn around slowly.

We'll take it from here, kid.

You don't have to hang around.

What're you talking about? That's my collar.

We take the collar.

Collar like this don't look good, if a patrolman takes it.

Now, wait a minute. Wait a minute.

I don't care how it looks. Now, I did the work.

I broke my ass on this. It's my collar.

You really want the collar, kid?

You know, you can be brought up on charges.

You left your post, you left the street, entered the schoolyard without permission.

That's just for openers. Right, Penella?

No memo entry? Shit.

You'd be lucky to end up with a reprimand.

We'll give you an assist on the arrest, kid.

Kid, get outta the way!

What're you doing?

What do you want me to do? Go across the street?

- Hey, Frankie. - Hi!

Thank you, sir.

Hey, Pasquale.

Hey, Frankie! How you doing?

OK. How you doing?

Where's Pop?

Be back in a half hour.

How's it going, Frankie?

OK. I've come to get my shoes.

- Yeah. - Warm it up!

Warm it up!

Oh, here they are. - Frankie, how you doing?

OK. Good job.

Oh, you people do good work here.

So, how you doing, Frankie?

- You keep asking me that. What's the matter with you?

I'm doing OK!

Well, I thought you were coming over to the house, Saturday night.

- Oh, I'm sorry, Pasquale. I couldn't make it.

You know, Margaret invited Marianne over.

Marianne was very disappointed that you didn't show-Oh, now, that's... Now, look.

I don't like that. I mean, really.

Don't invite people over if you're not sure I'm gonna come.

I mean it now. If I wanna see Marianne, I'll call her.

What's going on with you two, anyway?

Hey, Pasquale. I'm gonna tell you something.

See, all daylong, I work with cops. Right?

Now, when I go out, I see Marianne.

Her father's a cop, her brother's a cop, her uncle's a cop.

I got a feeling she's a cop, too.

Come here.

How you doing on the job?

It's got its problems.

Hey, Mama tells me you are looking for a new apartment.

Is that true?

- Yeah. - So, where you going?

I don't know. I'm looking around by school.

NYU? Greenwich Village?

Yeah, Greenwich Village. Yeah.

What's the matter?

The old neighborhood's not good enough for you, Frankie?

Tell Pop I was here.

Yeah. Frankie!

Sunday?

Sunday what?

Dinner?

Huh?

- Do me one favor. - I know, I know!

- No Marianne! - No Marianne.

Alright, a couple of announcements.

"Announcing a course in fingerprint identification to be given at John Jay College.

The course will be available to patrolmen

who wish to make themselves eligible for assignment

to the Bureau of Criminal Identification, BCI,

which is generally considered to be a path to a detective's gold shield."

Signed Captain McGuire.

On the board on my left, you'll see Squad One.

- Hot enough for ya? - Not the heat.

The humidity.

I had a feeling you were gonna say that.

You know how long you've taken on that one?

Check one print category.

Two. That's plenty.

I'm not gonna give a guy a "No Record"

when he might have a record.

How long have you been with the BCI now, Serpico?

All my life.

That's long enough to know how we do things.

Barto?

It's not just that.

You don't like me.

BCI never had a weirdo cop before.

Barto?

Stop bugging me.

Mom?

Aren't you forgetting something?

Franky...

What is it?

All these years...

the money for the house,

the money you sent me from Korea...

It's everything that I've managed to save.

- Mom... - I've kept it in the bank for you.

- Mom, really... you keep it, it's for you. - No, you don't know if you might need it.

You'll spend it on your own place, to buy furniture.

So you'll think of your Mommy.

Come here, Mom.

Hey!

Wanna buy a puppy?

Well, now.

Where'd you get these dogs?

Oh, they're mine.

Want one for free?

Ah...

No, I'll pay for it. How much are they?

Five dollars.

You got it.

OK. Now, which one of you guys wanna come with me?

What?

Come on.

Listen, can you do me a favor? - What?

Just watch the car and my stuff over here, 'cause as I'm moving in.

- Yeah. - Thank you.

“Don Quixote...

Uh, Senorita Ian?

Mr. Serpico.

I've got my horse here.

Maybe I could drop you someplace.

Well, I'm going to work at the Cafe Reggio.

Oh, Cafe Reggio. That, um...

That's Fourth Street and...

- McDougall and Third. - McDougall and Third.

- Yeah. - Can I give you a lift?

Sure.

Jesus! What's that?

Oh, you've got your hands on my money belt. Don't do that.

That's not a money belt. That's a gun!

Well, we gotta eat, don't we?

What do you need a gun for?

Well, you ever hear of Barnum and Bailey?

- Yeah. - Well, I'm their lion tamer.

- Oh, come on. - No, it's the truth.

- I think you're full of shit. - You do, huh?

Yeah.

What do you do?

Oh, me? I'm an actress.

A singer, a dancer and a Buddhist.

Oh, in that order?

I'm a cop. Would you believe that?

No, I wouldn't believe it.

Leslie. Leslie.

Yeah.

- Those leaps that guy made. What do you call 'em again?

Jetes!

- Jetes? - Yeah!

You try it.

Alright. How do you start it?

What's your position?

Next life!

Come on.

What're you reading now, Serpico?

"My Life", by Isadora Duncan.

She was a ballet dancer.

A belly dancer?

No.

No, a ballet dancer.

Ballet.

You know ballet?

- A little. - A little bit, huh?

You ever see one?

Not close.

I've been to the ballet. It's terrific.

I've been taking classes, you know.

- Oh, yeah? - Yeah.

That's where I go, after I leave here.

- Yeah? - Fantastic for your body.

- Oh. - Really builds you up.

I can tell.

- You noticed, huh? - I noticed.

Well, there's five positions. You know that?

Five? You're being short-changed.

Oh, no, it's enough. Believe me.

For what?

Watch.

See?

This is the first position.

From this position, I can do anything.

Wanna see?

- Sure. - Here we go.

Too! Too!

Bye, Barto!

- Lieutenant Steiger, I need- - No, no. Later.

Hey, turn off the lights!

Oh, Potts.

I wanted to read!

Positions, positions.

Positions like that you don't see in a pretzel factory.

How am I gonna do my pee-pee in the dark?

Oh, she's gotta be a nympho with positions like that.

Hey, Serpico. How can you piss at a time like this?

Barto wants a specimen.

I'll look into this matter.

What've you got there? - Here.

Straight ahead.

- Straight ahead where? - Third window down.

Third window down.

I don't see anything over there.

Let me see.

Oh, she just pulled down the shade.

You've gotta be some kind of jinx. You know that, Serpico?

That's right. Blame me.

- Hold it, Serpico. - What were you two doing?

What?

In the shithouse in the dark!

Were you going down on him?

What're you talking about?

You gonna tell me you were just doing a little peeping Tom?

You were sucking his cock, weren't you?

What are you, crazy?

Yeah, I'll show you fuckin' crazy.

Last week, I found a pair of shorts with semen on 'em!

There.

You're actually accusing me of this?

Good morning, Captain McClain. I'm Officer Serpico.

I was told I could talk to you, sir.

Oh. Certainly, son.

Come in.

Lieutenant Steiger won't make a report.

He's too concerned with the image of his department.

But it could affect your future at the BCI.

Sir, I tell you, uh...

Frankly, I don't see any future there.

I mean, it's all bullshit about it being a career path

toward being detective because I've been there two years now and-

And you want a transfer.

Yes, sir. But I don't wanna go back to uniform.

I'll see what I can do, Frank.

Francis, do you know about my weekend retreats for Catholic officers?

No.

Well, you read that. It might be of interest to you.

You are a Catholic, aren't you, Frank?

Yeah. I was baptized.

Good. Good.

Alfie, come on.

Paco!

Hey.

Missed you, baby.

She's so crazy, that girl. I'll tell ya.

Why "Paco“?

Oh, all my friends call me Paco.

Could you do me a favor?

Get my keys out of this pocket for me.

Sure.

Well, um, what'll I call you?

Frank or, uh, Paco?

Paco.

- Leslie! - Sally!

- Hey. - Oh, Larry!

This is Paco.

Hey, man.

Larry's a poet but he works for an advertising agency.

And Sally's an actress but she works for a photographer.

- Hello. - Paco's a policeman.

Oh, that's terrific.

I work for the Police Department.

- Oh, hey. - That's really nice.

Wow, OK.

See ya.

Hi. How are ya?

Pat's a novelist but you're working for an insurance company now, aren't you?

- Yes, I am. - Yeah.

Paco's a policeman. - Really?

How exciting!

Well, not too. Right now, I'm filing fingerprints.

Listen, I file insurance policies.

We should get together and, um, file or something.

Hey. That was an improvement.

I wanna ask you somethin'.

How come all your friends are on their way to being somebody else?

Think about that.

I wanna ask you something else, too.

Will you do me a big favor?

Don't tell anybody I'm a cop.

You know, let me just sorta do it myself.

OK.

Hey, man. Are you really a cop?

That's right. I am.

Wow.

Leslie is a mind-fucker.

You gotta be kidding me. I didn't know that.

What's a mind-fucker?

Well, it's a chick who digs intellectual types and super bright guys.

She's very perceptive.

You know, Japanese culture and theater and painting, it's too rigidly stylized.

Well, you know...

Yeah, but...

I think, after a while, when you get through that, you start to appreciate the clarity.

You know, the authority.

I got a sheepdog. - Yeah.

There have been Sheepdogs in my family, dating back

for 16 generations.

Dating back to the Borgias.

The family crest-

Uh-huh?

Is a sheepdog, pissing into a gondola.

Oh, shit.

Paco, everybody loves you!

I love you!

Officer Serpico. Reporting, sir.

That fucking thing on your lip? It goes.

And get a haircut.

Uh, sir?

That's an order.

You look like an asshole with dentures.

Do I have the right of appeal, sir?

Sure.

Go see Captain Tolkin.

You got one foot in shit already. Put the other one in.

Now, where might that be, I wonder, sir?

Thank you, sir.

That is one hell of a mustache. I wish I had the guts.

Well, I have what I consider to be good reasons for wearing it, sir.

You don't have to tell me.

But I'd like to tell you, sir.

I thought so.

I think it's time that we started to communicate more on the street, sir.

You know, the way it is, we're totally isolated, sir.

I mean, we're completely outta touch with what's happening.

An undercover cop walks around, in disguise, wearing black shoes and white socks.

Everybody knows who he is.

You've made your point. I want you to keep your mustache.

And I'd like you to patrol in your own car, wear whatever you want.

How does that strike you?

I'd like that, sir.

Alright.

To be honest, I'm bucking for detective.

No shit.

No.

Hold it!

What the hell are you doing?

Aw, Christ.

Quick. Get against the wall.

Hey!

I'm a police officer! Get over there.

Hey! It's me, Serpico!

Hey.

Hey, I'm a police officer! Police officer!

I'm an officer! I'm a police officer!

Jesus, Frank! How was I supposed to recognize you?

You stupid fuck.

Frank, I didn't know you!

You didn't know me?

You fire without looking?

You fire without a warning?

Without a fucking brain in your head?

Oh, shit.

If I buy one, you motherfucker, I'm not gonna buy it from you.

Holy shit. Look at that mess.

Filling out forms till next month.

Good.

Hey, Jesus, Frank.

I know this is a hell of a time to ask you, but I'm gonna have to go through all that

ballistics bullshit.

Good. You should.

It's gonna look like hell, if I don't have anything to show for it.

Frank, do me a favor.

Give us the collar?

You motherfucker.

You want the collar, huh?

You don't wanna fill out forms, right?

Here.

- You're a buddy. - Oh, I'm a buddy.

Only, you tell Tolkin I gave it to you.

I am passing out these marijuana cigarettes for you to sample,

so that when you become plain clothes men, you'll be able to identify the pungent aroma

and recognize the disorienting effect of the drug,

when you observe them in narcotics suspects.

Among users of the drug, a marijuana cigarette is referred to as "reefer", "stick",

"roach", "joint".

The drug itself is referred to as "pot", "tea", "boo", "stuff", "grass".

Hey, this is real good shit.

I gotta have something to eat.

Oh, look what it is. Look what it is.

It's a potato factory, is what it is, and I have to have some.

I love you. I love it.

I'll have some of that. We have nothing to... I have to have a dime?

It goes in the little slot there.

That doesn't work. It's from the civil war, this machine.

- Pull on it. - It doesn't.

Doesn't, doesn't, doesn't, doesn't.

- Go ahead, go ahead. - Could shoot it out.

Please! I beg of you!

Come out, potatoes! Come out!

You're pretty fucking weird, for a cop.

Me?

You! What about you? - You're the weird guy.

You! You're a fucking hippie.

It's beautiful, though.

The two of us.

Gimme!

Where you supposed to go from here?

9-3 Precinct, Plain Clothes. Put your gun away.

You?

I am scheduled to go on special assignment

with the Mayor's Department of Investigations, Detective Squad.

That's gold shield.

Yeah.

Yeah. No four years in Plain Clothes?

Who do you know?

I make it my business to know people. People who can help.

Unfair.

Unfair.

Life is unfair, man.

I mean, look, you've got a feel for the streets,

and I've got a feel for the politics, I guess.

With you and me in one Bat Mobile, we could clean up the city in no time.

Oh! I wonder if we can get candy out of this machine.

Come on.

No, thanks.

Well, this is a good place to tell you, Paco.

You know that guy in Texas I was telling you about?

Yeah.

What about him?

I'm gonna marry him in two months.

Unless you marry me.

What about the theater and your dancing?

A girl has to get married, sometime.

Well, you're a long way from sometime, Leslie.

I thought you were committed.

I am, but-

You are, but?

I can go on working and studying there.

Where?

Fort Worth?

Amarillo.

Amarillo?

Well, am I invited to the wedding?

I'll ask Roy.

Yeah, it's pretty good in this precinct.

There you go.

Usually, a nine-to-five day is the best time for policy and bookmaking.

But if you have to work nights, like liquor violations, just call in.

Don't worry about quotas right now.

Couple of hooker collars will keep it cool.

Serpico.

Been holding this for you.

It's from Joyce Max.

First day on the precinct, I get that.

This is great, Frank.

I can open a whole can of peas with this.

It's scary.

I wanna protect myself. - OK.

OK. You know what we do with this?

What?

We take it to Inspector Kellogg.

- Kellogg? - Yeah.

Kellogg? Didn't he used to be in Plain Clothes?

He's the second highest-ranking cop in the whole Department of Investigations.

So what?

What do you mean, "80 what?"

I happened to be instrumental in getting the man his job.

He owes me, you understand?

He's the most honest cop I know, Frank.

Frank.

Trust me.

Things like this were common practice in the bad old days.

Hard to believe it's still going on.

Serpico, don't you think it's kinda stupid,

taking an envelope from somebody you didn't know?

Uh...

What was I supposed to do? I mean, give me...

How would I know what was in it, unless I took it?

You, uh, you have two alternatives.

You can force me to take you to the Commissioner of Investigations.

He'll drag you in front of a grand jury.

- I don't want that. - Oh, I can understand that.

Word'll get out.

Before it's all over,

they'll find you face-down in the East River.

What's the other alternative?

Forget it.

Well, what do I do with this?

- Hey, Sarge? - Yeah?

Got a minute?

Yeah.

A colored cop gave me this.

I don't know what to do with it.

Yeah. I'll send it on to the Benevolent Association.

Alfie. Come on.

Is that Bjorling?

No. It's Di Stefano.

I was sure it was Bjorling.

No.

You can hear it better over here.

- That's an invitation, right? - Right.

Coffee.

I'll have to take a rain check. I'm due at the hospital.

Why don't you call in sick?

Perfect place.

Not me.

What are you, dedicated or somethin'?

That's right. I'm dedicated.

Most men can't stand it.

Well, what do they know?

I like your garden.

Hey.

Love my garden.

OK.

I love your garden.

You know what they say, don't you?

No. What do they say?

If you love a man's garden, you've gotta love the man.

You like her, Alfie?

All I can tell you is, I gave it back.

I've gotta get out of the 9-3.

Well, what happened on your Narcotics application?

It looked like it was all set,

until I told 'em I was in Plain Clothes, and that was it.

It was like the kiss of death.

They think everybody in Clothes is on the take.

Sir, do you know anything about the Bronx 7th Division?

I mean, I can go there if I want, but if it's the same shit, screw it.

I'd rather answer phones for the Spanish Communications Unit and go nuts.

Come on, Alfie.

Frank, did anyone ever tell you that you have a tendency towards self-pity?

No. You're the first.

Alright.

Frank, I have a friend up there. Roy Palmer.

He's an administrative officer.

I'll speak with him.

Good.

- Goodbye, Frank. - Thank you, sir.

- God bless you. - Bye.

Yeah?

Frank? Captain McClain here.

Oh, Captain McClain.

Could you hold on a minute, please, sir?

Sure.

Yeah. Sorry.

Frank, I saw Inspector Palmer tonight, and he assures me the 7th Division

is as clean as a hound's tooth.

His words, Frank. "Clean as a hound's tooth.“

Oh, yeah?

I told him that he was getting a hard-working officer.

Wears a beard, speaks Spanish, and he'd make a superb undercover man.

He was delighted.

That's good news, sir.

Thank you. Thank you very much.

Goodbye, Frank. God bless.

When did you start doing that?

McClain says that Palmer says that the 7th is "As clean as a hound's tooth.“

Well, if that's true, your problems are over.

Plain Clothes Division?

Upstairs.

Oh, Frank! How are ya?

Good to see ya!

We heard you were coming up here.

Hey, listen. Say hello to Nate Smith.

Frank Serpico.

Jamie Morales, Frank Serpico.

Serpico?

Hey.

Hey, baby, you're gonna love it up here! It's beautiful.

Listen. I'll see you later, alright?

Take a little ride with me. I've gotta make a collar.

Get the feel of the Division, OK?

Maybe I should check in first.

Fuck that. Come on.

♪ Deck the hall with boughs of holly ♪

♪ Fa-la-la-la-la, fa-la-la-la ♪

Dollars, if Minnesota. Right.

Green Bay, twelve and a half at...

You dumb fuck.

We told you this location's hot.

We told you to stay the fuck outta here.

Keough. Nobody told me, honest.

Bullshit.

Come on. Let's take a walk.

Alright, kid.

Alright, a C-note apiece. - No way.

We got a complaint. Right, Frank?

Come on.

Alright. Make it 200, Keough.

Hey, what? Are you getting cheap in your old age, bambino?

Three.

- Three? - You heard me.

Alright. Three.

Tell you what I'll do. I'll make it a light one.

- Hey, Frankie! - Yeah?

Wanna write this up?

No, I'm gonna check in.

Take the collar, Frank. Get on the sheet.

I better check in.

Hey, Frank?

We'll have a little talk later, right?

You know that dumb schmuck only came up with two bills because I booked him?

Here you go, Frank.

No, it was your collar. Keep it.

I had a hunch you weren't gonna take it.

You know, Frankie, we got a call about you from downtown?

Now, I ain't saying who.

They just said you couldn't be trusted, you know?

'Cause I don't take money, right?

Frank. Let's face it.

Who can trust a cop who don't take money?

I mean, you are pretty weird. You know, kid?

And with that call and all, the guys were getting a little worried.

I told 'em you were OK. I knew you from the old 2-1.

You'd never hurt another cop. Right?

I mean, you'd never hurt another cop. Would you, Frank?

Well, it'd depend on what he did, you know?

That's the wrong answer, Frankie.

Frankie.

We're not doing anything bad here.

We're skimming a little gambling money.

It's clean. It's not dope.

Hurts nobody.

Frank.

A gambler's a gentleman.

And they're gonna operate anyhow, right?

Look, Keough, you don't have to explain yourself to me.

You do what you gotta do.

Want some tea?

No, I don't like that shit. Have a coffee, huh?

What's the matter, Frank? What're you worried about?

Listen. We don't go overboard here.

We're not sloppy. We're careful.

Yeah, the spics, the niggers, we bust them,

'cause they operate so dumb and sloppy anyhow,

they get your ass in hot water every time.

But the Italians? Now, that's a different story.

They're men of their word. They're reliable, Frankie.

You've got it analyzed, huh?

You're fucking A-right, I got it analyzed. It's worth it.

You know how much the nut's running now, Frankie?

- No, I wouldn't know that. - $800 a month.

That's 800 clams, every time your girlfriend gets the curse.

Tax free.

Now, here's the beauty.

You don't get it for the first eight weeks anyhow.

Till the guys get to know you and you're OK.

But you don't lose, either, 'cause you get it

on the other end when you leave the Division.

Frankie, it's like severance pay.

Think it over, alright? In or out.

Look at me. I'm shaking.

All my life, I've wanted to be a cop.

It's like I can remember nothing else.

I remember this one time, there was, uh,

something happened, a domestic argument or somethin'.

Somebody stabbed somebody.

And...

There was this crowd, around this tenement.

I must've been nine, ten years old. I was this big.

I went over to see what was going on.

I noticed the red light, going around and around.

There were all these people and I couldn't see.

And I kept saying, “Do you know what's going on?

Do you know?"

Nobody knew.

It was like a big mystery behind that crowd there.

All of a sudden,

the crowd just parted.

Like the Red Sea, you see.

And there were these guys in blue, and I said, "They know."

What do they know?

What do they know?

It's amazing.

It's incredible.

But I feel like a criminal, 'cause I don't take money.

You get so tense when you talk about it.

I wonder why.

Come here.

Right there.

Here?

Uh-huh.

I'm gonna ask you a question. OK?

OK.

Do you like cops?

You're my first.

No, I mean all this shit I've been telling you.

Do you believe it? - Why not?

- Does it shock you? - Not much.

Oh.

What's the matter with me?

Everybody knows about cops.

Did you ever hear the story of the wise king?

No, but I got the feeling I'm gonna hear it.

Well, there was this king and he ruled over his kingdom.

Right in the middle of the kingdom, there was a well.

That's where everybody drank.

One night, this witch came along and she poisoned the well.

Ah.

And the next day everybody drank from it, except the king, and they all went crazy.

Then they got together in the street and they said,

"We've gotta get rid of the king, 'cause the king is mad."

Oh-oh.

And then that night, he went down and he drank from the well,

and the next day, all the people rejoiced because their king had regained his reason.

I think you're trying to tell me somethin'.

- Me? - Yeah.

Hey, Frank. I want you to say hello to somebody.

Hey! Drop your cocks and grab your socks!

What the fuck is this?

Frank Serpico, say hello to Don Rubello.

He's gonna be your new partner.

How you doin'?

Hey, look, if you don't wanna work with this fuckin' nut

for some reason, man, I'll buddy up with him, alright?

And go through all that crap changing assignments?

Nah, nah, nah, nah. We'll be OK.

We're Paisans, huh?

Hey, what's with the fucking mouse?

He's my partner.

- "Partner"? - He's specially trained.

He goes to track down heroin.

Just let him loose, he goes into the hole, picks it up, brings it back.

Sniffs it out, brings it to you.

Yeah, I've heard of that.

- You heard of it? - Yeah.

Yeah.

This guy I'm looking for. Vernon.

He's 3 numbers collector, who ain't been meeting his obligations.

He won't be hard to spot. He's a mover.

This is prime time.

Since we're partners, you've gotta know the situation.

Straight off. I collect for the Division.

Me and two other bag men.

That's what Keough was sorta hinting at.

Yeah, three of us pick up the payoff, twice a month.

Hey!

Look. There he is.

Son of a bitch!

Look out!

You stupid bastard!

Where's the money?

You've been jerking me around, you fuck! Huh?

I know I'm behind now, man!

Three times you never showed, right?

I'll have it for you tonight. I swear!

I'll have it for you tonight. Don't bust me!

Last time, Vernon.

The last time!

You fuck me and you're gone. You hear?

You hear? Huh?

Huh?

See you at the Domino. Midnight.

And you'd better have $300, you fuck. You hear?

Right? Right?

Alright, Frank.

Huh? Huh?

I keep this place for socializing.

Someday, we'll get a couple of broads, huh?

Have a little party.

Hey!

Mix some ice. Booze is right over here.

So what do you think, Frank?

About the money.

Look, Don.

If I was broke, if I had a family, I don't know.

But I'm not broke and I don't have a family,

so why the fuck stick my neck out, you know what I mean?

It's already out, Frank, for not taking the money.

It's better the other guys don't know that.

Hey. I'll tell you what I'll do.

I'll hold your share for you, huh?

If you change your mind, it'll be right in here.

Right in here, right down to the penny, huh?

Hey. Look at that.

What're you drinking?

Give me a scotch.

Hey, next thing I wanna do, I wanna get a color TV.

You know, for the games.

How about some gin? Penny a point.

Huh?

Yeah, let me ask him first.

Hello, Frank. Get in.

My God, Frank. This is confidential.

He's a police officer. I thought maybe he could sit in.

No. Absolutely not.

Alright. Alright.

Frank, I notified Commissioner Delaney about everything you told me.

He wants you to stay right where you are and continue to collect information.

Then you'll be his eyes and his ears.

He said he was delighted that, quote, "A man of integrity had surfaced."

Unquote.

When do I hear from him?

Well, he said he'd reach out for you, when the time comes.

"Reach out"?

See now, my situation's pretty fuckin' sticky up there.

I mean, what am I supposed to do? Just wait for him to-You must have patience, Frank.

Yeah, but it's fuckin' sticky.

Patience and faith.

When a man like the Commissioner says he'll get in touch with you,

he'll get in touch with you.

Goodbye, son. God bless you.

Alright, now. Now, Marinda's too hot.

We've gotta lay off him for a few months.

And listen. Falco's got two runners he ain't paying for.

Check that fucking guy out, huh?

Hey, Frankie. How are ya?

Listen. Rubello's being transferred.

So, you're gonna have to work with a new bagman.

AI Sarno, I want you to meet Frank Serpico.

This'll be your new man.

- Alright. - Alright.

Listen. You know that operation down by Hunt's Point?

The new one? What're we gonna do about that?

What're we gonna do?

You the new bagman? You prick!

What happened to Rubello, you son of a bitch?

Wait a minute.

You know, Frank.

Sometimes I ask myself, "What the fuck am I doing?"

You know, if this ever came out...

Christ. My family.

My daughter.

She just started with the San Francisco Opera. Chorus.

Took a lot of money.

I once tried to pull out.

Christ. They were all over me.

So, you just go along.

Unless you're willing to go back to uniform duty.

Shit. How the money rolls in.

Here. Let me give you yours now.

No. I'm not on.

What do you mean you're not on?

Just what I said: I'm not on. I don't take money.

Some gag here.

No. I told you straight.

I don't take money and that's the truth.

What were you doing with Rubello?

Ask Rubello.

You're not...

Where's it been goin'? - Ask Rubello.

Alright then, sir. I'll go to Delaney myself, then.

That would not be advisable, Frank.

No, you don't understand, Captain.

It's been weeks and not a word.

I understand perfectly, Frank.

No, but Captain, now they know I'm not on.

I've done all I can do. Goodbye, Frank.

He's out.

Won't do another fuckin' thing.

Yeah, I'm tellin' you.

Nothing's gonna happen from the inside.

The top guys have been cops too long.

You haven't heard from Commissioner Delaney, have you?

No. Not a fucking word.

Would you be willing to go outside the Department?

Where could we go?

Would you believe the mayor's office?

- The Mayor's office? - His right-hand man.

A guy named Jerry Berman, from Princeton.

You knew I knew somebody. That's the somebody I know.

And he cares, Frank. He really cares.

- You know what we're doing? - Yeah.

We're going outside the Department.

That's right.

Dynamite.

Every Plain Clothes man in the Division and one, maybe two lieutenants?

That is dynamite. That is incredible.

That is 150.

That is $250,000 a year.

But that is just one precinct.

That is amazing!

See, what I feel is needed here is a real investigation.

And I am sure that the mayor will see this immediately.

McClain and Delaney. They have done nothing.

Man, that is amazing.

And another thing, see.

In a couple of days, they're gonna have a meeting at a pad.

Frank is in a very, very tough spot.

I can see that. Rumors.

See, I have heard rumors, but never touching it directly, and for an on-the-line cop

to come forward like this is beautiful.

Really, Frank, I mean, you have my respect.

And my sympathy, for what you've been going through, man.

Wow.

Hello. This is Jerry Berman.

Is he there?

Alright. I'll hold on.

Well?

Tell me what happened, Paco.

I'd like a drink.

That guy's gonna go to the mayor.

To the mayor!

Come here, Alfie! We're all gonna go to the mayor together!

You know that?

I couldn't be any more embarrassed.

It's like a personal defeat.

However, there are priorities.

What are the priorities, Jerry?

The priorities are a long, hot summer ahead and riots are expected.

And the mayor cannot alienate the police force.

Now, in the fall... Now, in the fall, it may be possible

to take another look at the situation.

Alright, alright, alright. I'm sorry.

Frank!

The whole rotten chicken shit... Whole fucking system's corrupt.

Who's there?

- It's me, Frank. - I gotta to talk to you.

You know, Frank, you're behaving like a god damn child.

You hear?

Let him in.

You let him in.

Hello.

I'm sorry, Frank. I'm sorry I got you into the whole thing.

Bullshit! I got me into this whole thing.

"Wow. Amazing!

Dynamite! Beautiful!

Dynamite!

Priorities. Priorities."

You and your big-deal friends.

Your contacts. Your big bullshit names.

Bob Blair, the big operator from Princeton.

Huh? The mystery man with connections.

The hotline to the mayor.

Who the fuck do you think you are, you son of a bitch?

You come looking for help, whining, mealy mouthed,

with your humble pie act, the saint, the injured innocent.

Who told you the Department, or the whole world,

was some kind of a fucking Boy Scout camp?

What do you expect, for Christ's sake? A magician?

Big Daddy?

White knight, rides in on a horse, snaps his fingers-

- You just keep talking. Keep talking, Bob!

While the Pope's choir sings "Ave Maria"?

Is that it? - "Ave Maria".

I tried to help you, you son of a bitch!

You're gonna blame me 'cause those bastards don't wanna get involved?

I tried to help you, I got my head handed to me.

Oh, your head is handed. Where's your head?

It's on your shoulders. That's what I see.

You don't look so hot yourself.

What's all this shit over here?

Alright, get ready to blow up again, 'cause I got another idea.

You and your ideas are as full of shit as you are.

- Right on cue. - Right on cue.

We can talk to Foreman, Frank.

The Commissioner of Investigations.

Another guy! We've got another guy here!

We could even talk to a guy I know on the New York Times.

Oh, that's terrific. Go to the Times.

Every time I talk to you, Blair, 20 more people know about it, you know that?

This is safe, Frank. It's safe.

It's safe! With my ass on the line, it's safe, right?

I got news for you, fella.

Your ass is already on the line!

Well, now that's my business, alright?

- You don't trust me, Frank? - I don't trust you!

- Go fuck yourself. - Fuck you.

Look, when I come home, I want the house clean.

Don't take it out on me, Paco.

- I'm not taking it out on you! I don't wanna pick up shit!

Honey?

Come to bed.

- Hello, Frank. - Hey, Frank.

Alright, look. We all know what this is about, right?

80, without any bullshit, Frank, what the hell was happening,

between you and Don Rubello?

It's simple. I didn't take any money, I don't take money.

Rubello said if I changed my mind, he'd hold my share.

He'd give it back to me. I didn't change my mind.

Conniving bastard.

Alright. Look, I'll handle Rubello.

I'll get back the money he took.

But this ain't gonna happen again.

From now on, no more three bag men.

Starting today, everyone of you fucks makes his own collections.

No stops, no bread. OK?

OK.

- Right. - You got it.

What about you, Frankie?

I'll make up what Don took from you.

Why should I start now?

Everybody'd feel a lot better about you, Frank.

You can always give it to charity, Frank.

Look, Frankie, what do you say, $100 a month, just for expenses?

For my secretary and my business lunches, entertainment?

Alright. Alright.

We split Frank's share from now on.

You're a schmuck, Frank.

If they would take all that energy, see, put it into straight police work,

we'd have the city cleaned up in a week.

They'd clean up. There'd be no crime.

If I could work alone. That's the thing, see.

If I could just get to work alone.

But they don't like that. See, they don't want that.

They wanna suck you in.

You go over the same thing, Paco.

It's so fucking corrupt.

Everybody, everyone. Nobody giving a shit!

There's gotta be a way to wipe it out, god damn it.

There's gotta be a way.

Let's get outta here for a while. Huh, honey?

Let's go to a movie.

Will you quit handling me? What're you doing?

Go to a movie? How am I gonna go to a movie?

You know they'd kill me, if they knew? Do you know that?

You think that doesn't happen?

Either you're exploding, or you're lying around like a catatonic!

I can't stand it, Paco.

You don't give a shit, right?

- All I care about is you! That's all that matters to me.

That's why it hurts so much!

I can't stand to see you like this.

Scared.

Miserable.

Dreading to go to work. It's tearing me apart!

And then I get sick of hearing about it, and I start hating myself.

You didn't like the idea of my being a cop.

So, don't give me that shit. You never did.

I love you, Paco!

I wanna marry you! I wanna have children with you!

God damn it! I hate it!

If you hate it so much, why don't you get out?

Why don't you?

It's crossed my mind.

Well, do it.

What've you got?

Would you bust a whitey?

Try me. Try me.

This guy's heavy.

He's Italian. Mobbed up.

Still interested?

Stop fucking around. I'm not in the mood.

Come on.

There's a loan shark. Runs a big numbers operation.

This mother's so cocksure,

he picks up his own slips while he's collecting his loans.

Where's the drop?

Hold it!

I'm a police officer.

And...

Wait a minute.

You're under arrest.

Hell, I thought you were some fuckin' junkie.

I'll take that wad in your pocket.

- You're a riot, kid. - I know, I'm a joke.

What're you doing?

What's that?

Put that away. You're in more trouble.

Give me the keys to your car.

Where they been hiding you, kid?

Wouldn't you like to know?

Hold this guy for booking. Get a rap sheet on him.

I'm gonna search his car.

Where's Corsaro?

Smith took him upstairs.

I swear to God.

I thought this guy was some fuckin' junkie.

Hey, listen. You should see some of the...

Hey, you.

Hey, who?

You.

Get over here and empty your pockets.

I don't do that.

You're my prisoner. You do what I tell you to do.

Get over here.

He's gonna get nasty about it.

You're fucking right!

Frank! Cool it, man!

Lean, motherfucker!

Spread 'em! - Frank!

Hey, Frank. Rudy's on, he's good people.

Stay the fuck outta this!

Fuck!

What's this? What's this?

Get! Get in there.

Serpico.

Got that record check on Corsaro.

Wanna read something?

It's about your pal, Corsaro.

Here, read it.

Read it!

He did 15 years. You know what for?

For killing a cop.

He's a fucking cop-killer.

It's good to see you again, Frank.

That's it. I've had it.

I'm finished. - What's wrong?

- I can't take it anymore. I've gotta get out.

If I have to go back to uniform, I'm going back to uniform.

I can't wait for Delaney to call, and I can't play their game anymore.

I'm right in the middle. I can't take it.

Frank, you mean to say the commissioner didn't get in touch?

No, he didn't get in touch with me.

Not a word. No investigation!

No undercover work! Nothing. - I had no idea, Frank.

Well, Captain, I think it's only fair to tell you I've been to outside agencies.

I'm gonna go to more, if I have to.

What outside agencies?

Holy mother of God!

Frank, we wash our own laundry around here!

Now, you could be brought up on charges on this!

I always thought so, but the reality is, sir, we do not wash our own laundry!

It just gets dirtier! - Serpico, you are in trouble!

I don't care if I'm in trouble!

I don't care who gets it anymore, including myself.

Because if I have to go to outside agencies- You stay away from outside agencies!

- Well, where am I gonna go? - Do you hear me, Serpico?

Stay away from it! - Where am I gonna go?

You just wait until you hear from me!

I've been waiting for a year and a half.

I'll get back to you, Frank!

- That's not enough! - I'll get back to you.

Well, where am I gonna go?

It's my life, you fuck!

Serpico.

See Inspector Palmer.

For this precinct, cases reported murder, 14 for August, 20 for September, 23...

Serpico?

Inspector Palmer?

Deputy Chief Inspector Daley and Inspector Gilbert are waiting to see you.

You wanna come to my office?

Captain McClain called me.

I've briefed Inspector Daley and Inspector Gilbert on your allegations.

Now, the obvious question is this:

in all these months, why didn't you come to us?

Well...

Uh...

I never met these gentlemen before, sir, and...

Uh, you told...

I mean, you told Captain McClain that the Division was clean as a hound's tooth.

You think you're the only honest cop on the force, Serpico?

My record's clear.

Inspector Gilbert's just come from the Commissioner's Confidential Investigation Unit.

Well, then you must've heard something. I mean, I don't...

I don't understand.

Commissioner Delaney has known about this from the beginning.

Oh, I didn't hear a thing.

But I understand your frustration, Frank.

Believe me.

I mean, it's sorta like trying to punch your way out of a paper bag, right?

What outside agencies have you been to, Frank?

I don't see how that's pertinent to my allegations, sir.

I think we oughta ask Serpico directly if he's gonna cooperate or not.

- Come on. - Now, look.

We've gotta know if there's any real basis for an investigation.

Well, I don't have to think that...

I'd have to think about that.

What is there to think about?

I don't see how the Division can investigate itself.

You've got a point there.

But you would cooperate with an impartial investigation, right?

Yeah. Up to a point.

As long as I'm not involved.

I just wanna go someplace where I can do my job.

That's fair enough.

We'll be in touch.

Inspector Palmer?

May I see you for a minute?

Was it necessary to let everyone in the station house

know I was coming in here to see these guys?

You believe from what you now know that a full-scale investigation is warranted?

Yes, Commissioner Delaney.

Go to it.

But sir...

Shouldn't Headquarters handle something like this?

No.

You're all experienced men.

Chief Gallagher here will be available for consultation.

Commissioner, uh...

Serpico claims that, uh, Inspector McClain talked to you

about this whole thing, some time ago.

Yes. I seem to remember something about that.

We can't set up a surveillance on "somewhere over by Crotona Park".

We need a location!

I've given you 36 locations that are paying off.

Now, what do you want?

The whole thing signed, sealed, delivered?

You're conducting this investigation, not me.

Alright, Frank. Lieutenant Smith.

Let's get back to him.

Lieutenant Smith.

Lieutenant Smith said to me, if I didn't want the money,

that he would stash it in his attic.

I'll have him transferred in the morning.

Fuck him. How about transferring me?

Serpico?

I hear you've been vouchering pad money, over to a confidential investigation squad.

Oh, yeah?

How can I voucher money when I don't take any?

You won't find anything on Serpico.

He's clean.

Right?

You practicing your frisk?

No.

I'm looking to buy a used tape recorder.

"Wear a wire"? They're feeling me up every day.

How am I gonna wear a wire?

- Come on, Frank! - Look.

Wearing a wire means testifying to corroborate the tape, right?

Right! I'm not testifying.

I've gotta put a dime in the parking meter.

Franklin, put a dime in the parking meter for Serpico!

Hey, Frank.

Frank, you know Herman Tauber, District Attorney.

Yeah, I watch television.

Frank.

I wanna compliment you for coming forward like this.

It's unique. It's uniquely unique.

You should be proud of yourself.

There's gonna be a grand jury on these shit heels,

with Frank Serpico as my star witness.

Mr. Tauber, you and everybody in this room can go to hell, 'cause I'm not testifying.

- Now, wait. Just listen. - Wait, wait, wait.

Just a second, Frank. You have nothing to fear.

You're not gonna be singled out.

You don't understand. I'm not afraid.

I don't give a fuck who knows. - Now, wait. Wait a minute.

If it meant something, but this investigation is bullshit.

Do you mind if I say something, Frank?

It's bullshit.

You're not going after corruption in the Department, or the Division, or the Bronx.

A few flunky cops thrown to the wolves to protect Delaney and those guys

who've known about this shit for years and won't do a fuckin' thing about it.

That's why I won't testify.

OK, what's this?

Exactly what it says.

I'm splitting.

I've never read anything so stupid in my life.

"I'm leaving. If you wanna discuss it, I'll be at Felix's."

I didn't feel like another blood and gut scene.

I figured you wouldn't be able to shout in here.

I can shout anywhere!

I won't shout.

Sit down. Sit down.

It's just gonna go on and on, Paco.

It isn't gonna get any better.

And if you quit, somehow I'll be blamed.

How could you leave the man you love?

The future father of your kids?

You never said anything like that to me before.

And if I come back,

you won't say it again.

You wanna be free and unattached.

To go on fighting for your cause, and keep torturing yourself.

My cause.

Oh, Paco.

I felt so safe with you.

So loving.

Stay with me, Laurie.

- Come on, stay with me. - No, no.

What do I owe you for that, huh?

Here.

Thanks for the coffee.

Laurie!

What're you doing?

Do you wanna walk away, or should I?

I'm not gonna walk away.

It's finished!

Who the hell do you think you are, trying to pull that no testifying bullshit on me?

Chief Green, I know your reputation.

Look, maybe if you were borough commander

when this thing started, run this investigation yourself,

I'd feel different about testifying, but the truth is, you're coming in after the fact.

Cut the crap, Serpico!

You know, you're like a quiff who says she won't, then maybe she will, then she won't.

Yeah, I'm like a quiff who's been fucked over

for a year and a half by guys like Kellogg, McClain, Delaney-

- Well, I'm not Kellogg, McClain or Delaney!

Frank, it won't be just flunky cops.

This is only the beginning.

This could be the biggest thing since the Harry Gross case.

And meanwhile, where am I?

I'm out there, alone. Who gives a fuck about that?

You know that I'm totally isolated in the Department.

I don't have a friend.

Oh, don't give me that bullshit about friends.

I've been putting cops away for 30 years!

My name's an obscenity in every shithouse wall in every precinct in the city!

I've observed that, sir.

"Friends".

I fought my way up as a Jew in the Department

the days you're supposed to have an uncircumcised shamrock between your legs.

I have this nightmare!

I'm on Fifth Avenue, watching the St. Patrick's Day Parade,

and I have a coronary and 9,000 cops march happily over my body.

"Friends".

I haven't got a friend on the force, either, Serpico.

I'll be your friend, Chief.

I'm not looking for any.

I'll make an exception in your case.

Frank, you're a good cop.

Stop being a prima donna. Just cut out the shticklech.

I don't understand, you know? I don't understand you.

How am I being a prima donna? I wanna protect myself.

Frank, if we're gonna get the indictments,

you're gonna have to testify.

Ready on the right. Ready on the left.

Ready on the firing line.

What're you gonna tell the grand jury, Frankie?

Depends on what they ask me.

Suppose they ask you who's taking money.

What I don't know, I don't know.

Yeah, but you do know, Frank.

Come on, Frankie. I like you.

I don't wanna see anything happen to you.

But you gotta understand that there are a lot of people who could hurt you here.

Yeah?

Look, I'm not saying that it's gonna happen.

I'm saying it could happen.

I mean, there's lots of ways.

Nobody has to take a shot at ya.

They can just not be there when you need them.

Somebody come at you with a gun, they look the other way.

Or they can send you in first enough times,

until finally one day, you're gonna walk in the wrong door.

Thanks for the information.

Fuck you, Frank!

I have nothing more.

Does anyone have any further questions?

- Uh, yes. - Yes, Mrs. Krist?

If I may, Mr. Knowles. Thank you.

Officer Serpico came to the 7th Division more than a year and a half ago.

All during that time, the things he's told us were taking place.

Now, why didn't Officer Serpico report these criminal activities long before,

when he first encountered them?

I'd like to answer that.

Mr. Chairman, uh, Mrs. Krist's question I don't believe is

material or relevant to the present inquiry.

I'd like to answer that question, sir.

That Officer Serpico cannot be considered derelict of his duty in any way,

or guilty of any infraction of the law.

Quite the contrary.

District Attorney is not prepared to say any more at this time.

Very well, Mr. Tauber.

Officer Serpico, thank you for your testimony.

This hearing is adjourned until 10 o'clock tomorrow morning.

Why didn't you tell him about Delaney and Kellogg?

Frank, this was a grand jury about police officers actively engaged in corruption.

You don't implicate people without sufficient evidence.

Oh, that's crap and you know it.

Because even a dumb cop like me knows a prosecutor

can take a grand jury anywhere it wants to take it.

Now, you never let me anywhere near the real problems.

Nothing about the bosses, the brass!

How corruption like this could exist without anybody knowing about it.

Now, a few flunky cops in the Bronx. That's it.

None of the shit in Queens, Brooklyn, Manhattan?

While you're at it, why don't you mention Kansas City?

“The biggest thing since Harry Gross."

That's what you said! - Alright!

Look, Frank.

You've got guts. Integrity.

There's gonna be a detective's gold shield in this for you.

Oh, that's terrific. That's good.

Maybe this is what it's all about.

Maybe I should take my gold shield and forget it.

I know you've been through an ordeal, Frank.

I'm a marked man in this Department, for what?

I've already arranged a transfer for you.

To where? China?

You know what to do? Send a couple extra rounds of ammo.

That takes a 14-shot clip. You expecting an army?

No. Just a Division.

Tauber, did you know I've had reports about Serpico being a fag?

He used to hang out in the BCI washroom.

That's stupid, Commissioner, and you know it.

Now, Mr. Commissioner, a gold shield for Serpico

at this time would convince an awful lot of people-Not while I'm commissioner.

Sergeant Grissom. Call Roll Call man.

Commander's office?

It's down that corridor.

Hey, Serpico.

Do you know what they're saying in the Bronx?

That you spilled your guts to the grand jury.

Say it isn't so, Serpico.

It isn't so.

We know how to handle guys like you.

I oughta cut your tongue out.

Don't move.

Officer Serpico reporting for duty, sir.

I'm Inspector Lombardo. I wanna shake your hand, Frank.

It's gonna be nice to have a guy here I can trust.

Anybody in this command you wanna work with?

Well, it's not who I wanna work with.

It's who wants to work with me.

Alright, you can't find anybody you wanna work with, Frank, I'll work with you.

Is that alright?

Yeah.

How do we get past the lookouts?

How many you got?

One.

There's two.

There's three of 'em.

There's four buildings in one.

We can get down the fire escape, get in behind.

What do you think?

Look good to you? - Yeah, let's go.

What do you think? Wanna try it?

Yeah.

Go ahead.

You alright?

Yeah, I feel just like a cop again.

Let's go. Thank you.

Close up!

Frank, come on!

Come on!

- I ain't got nothin'. - I ain't got nothin'.

Get outta here! Get outta here!

Get up against the wall.

What the hell's going on here? Who the hell are you?

- Who are you? - The police!

Who the hell do you think we are?

The fuck against the wall. Up, up, up, up!

- Let me see your shield. - You wanna see a shield?

Alright. There's my shield.

- Where are you from? - The Borough, Manhattan 8.

No, god damn it! No, you're not from the Borough!

I just paid the Borough this morning!

Hey, Frank.

The hell kind of Shakedown is this?

Who'd you pay in the Borough?

Nobody.

I didn't pay no-Who'd you pay in the Borough?

I didn't pay nobody. Now, let go of me.

We followed up and, uh, there's no doubt about it.

The, uh, pad here in Manhattan is bigger

and it's more sophisticated than the one in the Bronx.

The, um, the pick-ups here are made...

You wanna get this, the pick-ups are made by

retired policemen.

That way, no Plain Clothes men are directly involved.

Now, we need investigative help on this one, Chief.

Well, Inspector, if you need investigative help,

and you don't trust your own men, why don't you requisition

some recruits from the Police Academy?

With all due respect, sir,

backing us up is the only hope that the Police Department has got.

I mean, there are a lot of good cops out there

who would come forward if they thought that there was

any encouragement in the Department to do so, and if they thought it would do any good.

But if there's no encouragement, they're not gonna do it.

I've done a whole lot more than most people

to defend and reserve the image of this Department

and protect Commissioner Delaney against reckless

and irresponsible assault from outside agencies.

That's it, huh?

That's what's really important, isn't it?

That's what you wanna know.

What outside agencies I've been to, right?

Hello?

Hello, prick.

Who is this?

Frank.

Frank, how are you? Where are ya?

I'm ready to go to the Times.

It's a god damn serious step, Frank.

I don't know if the timing is right.

Look, I want it to get on the record. That's all.

In case something should happen to me.

I want it on the record.

I don't know if we carry enough weight.

I don't know if the New York Times will go that far

out on a limb on the say-so of two flunky cops.

Suppose an inspector were to come with us.

You know, I got 20 years on the force.

I just bought this place.

We signed a 500-year mortgage on it.

Will you turn that thing off out there?

OK, come on. Everybody to bed.

Come on. - Oh, Mom!

Turn that damn thing down!

Come on, now. Come on, go on upstairs.

You said we could go to bed late!

This is against Department regulations.

You both know that.

If they wanna throw the book at me, they can do it.

If I left the Force,

I don't know what I could do.

OK, I've made my little speech. I'll back you up 100%.

- Times and the News. - I got the money, fellas.

There you go. There you go.

There you go. - Newsweek, please.

Holy shit. Jesus.

Woo!

Oh, Christ.

You can almost predict the numbers they're gonna do!

Delaney's gonna issue some phony denial.

Somebody from the mayor's office will say something noble.

And Delaney will change his tune.

And then finally, the mayor is gonna appoint a commission.

"Thursday, Mayor Lindsay announced the formation

of a special five-man committee to review the City

procedures when investigating police corruption."

Oh, how come I'm not in the first paragraph?

Unbelievable!

Yahoo! Yahoo!

Yahoo! Yahoo!

The Times' report smells of the familiar smear tactics of McCarthyism.

I have issued a statement to be read at every station-

- The Mayor is this day appointing a special investigation

commission to be headed by Whitman Knapp.

Yeah, come.

Here's your reward, Frank.

It's a transfer to Narcotics, Brooklyn South.

Still in Clothes.

You get a tin shield. You don't get a gold one.

I miss you already, Frank.

Look.

Frank.

It's Narcotics.

You be careful.

It's very easy to, um, get hurt.

You know, to, uh...

To be set up.

Serpico!

Get in.

You're not wired, are ya?

OK, you cocksucker.

You might get by in the Bronx with that kind of shit,

but down here, 800 a month is chicken feed.

Last week, one dope dealer sent out these guys making pick-ups.

40,000 each.

We let 'em collect it all and then hit them.

120,000 split four ways.

That's serious money.

And with that, you don't fuck around.

I got the message.

Good. Now get the fuck out.

The guy's name is Limbo.

He always uses this place, his girlfriend's brother's place.

He's a pusher. Heroin.

Alright. We're gonna drive round to the corner.

You keep in sight, out front.

When you spot somebody who's dirty, you take off your glasses and wipe 'em.

Right. OK.

You know, we stay around here very long, we're gonna get spotted.

Well, Frank...

Frank, why don't you go up there and check it out?

Why don't you?

I got the wrong clothes.

I'll take you shopping.

Uh-huh.

Limbo?

Police! Freeze!

- Police Officer. - Alright.

Get up against the wall.

Get your hands up against that wall.

Alright. Palms up on the wall and spread 'em.

- Get 'em up! - Get those hands up!

Come on, spread 'em! Feet apart!

- I saw the buy. - Alright, let's get Limbo.

- Julio, you alright, baby? - Yeah, yeah, I got 'em.

Police officer!

What the fuck are you waiting for?

Police!

Throw out your guns and come out with your hands up!

What've we got here?

It's Mr. and Mrs. Serpico, sir.

OK. Go ahead.

Yes?

Where's our son?

They're bringing him down from X-Ray.

We want to see him.

Just a few minutes.

Mr. and Mrs. Serpico.

The news is better than we expected.

Thank God the bullet was a small caliber.

It didn't enter the brain.

Or strike the spinal cord.

He's on the critical list.

But his condition seems to be stable.

Thank you, Doctor. Thank you.

Stay outta there. Didn't they tell you?

What?

The word is, don't talk to him. He's no fuckin' good.

- How you doing, kid? - Hello, Sid.

Come over here.

Wanna read my fan mail?

Sure.

You're a big shot now, huh?

Sid.

I want you to get those fucking cops away from my door.

The Knapp Commission likes you. They want you to appear.

Oh, naturally.

Frank, Heinemann and Julio are cleared.

The three of you are up for Exceptional Merit awards.

That's very funny.

That's very funny.

Francesco, you love me?

I always had a thing for you, Sid. You know that.

Your gold shield's come through.

What's this for?

For being an honest cop?

Or for being stupid enough to get shot in the face?

You tell 'em they can shove it.

I don't want it.

Oh, well.

Well, Frank, the facts are these.

You'll have to stay on leave of absence for a few months.

In all probability, the hearing in your left ear won't come back.

Two bullet fragments are still lodged there in the bony portion.

One is very close to the carotid artery

and you'll have to be checked from time to time.

Your left side will feel stiff, occasionally.

Once in a great while, you may experience some dizziness.

But in general, you'll be OK.

Through my appearance here today,

I hope that police officers in the future

will not experience the same frustration and anxiety

that I was subjected to for the past five years at the hands of my superiors,

because of my attempt to report corruption.

I was made to feel that I had burdened them with an unwanted task.

The problem is that the atmosphere does not yet exist

in which an honest police officer can act,

without fear of ridicule or reprisal from fellow officers.

Police corruption cannot exist, unless it is at least

tolerated at higher levels in the Department.

Therefore, the most important result that can come from these hearings is a conviction

by police officers that the Department will change.

In order to ensure this, an independent,

permanent investigative body dealing with police corruption

like this commission, is essential.