Al Pacino Names His Three Roles He Loves Most
Al Pacino once shared his personal picks for his three favorite films from his career in an interview with The Hollywood Reporter.
The legendary actor’s choices highlight a mix of his own creative projects and a classic Hollywood hit, showing both his artistic ambition and acting prowess.
The first film Pacino singled out was Looking For Richard, his 1996 directorial debut. The project blends documentary and drama, exploring William Shakespeare’s Richard III while examining the playwright’s continuing impact on modern culture.
The film features notable actors such as Alec Baldwin, Kevin Spacey, Winona Ryder, and Penelope Allen. Reflecting on the experience, Pacino told The Hollywood Reporter, “I did a movie, that I made [directed], which is Looking For Richard, which has done relatively – compared to the other movies I made on my own which nobody saw – Looking For Richard had an outing, and it did pretty good, I thought.”
The film premiered at both Sundance and Cannes Film Festivals in 1996 and earned Pacino the Directors Guild of America Award for Outstanding Directing in Documentaries.
Next on his list was a more obscure project, The Local Stigmatic, a 52-minute short based on Heathcote Williams’ play and directed by David Wheeler.
The film tells the story of two working-class Englishmen whose debates about greyhound racing and Winston Churchill escalate into a violent confrontation with a film star in a bar. “The other thing would be The Local Stigmatic, which is really a 52-minute film that, err… it’s not for everybody, but it was personal,” Pacino explained.
Originally shown as an installation at the Museum of Modern Art in 1990 and released on DVD in 2007 as part of The Al Pacino Box Set, the film is known for remaining faithful to Williams’ stage script. Critics note that Pacino’s performance is compelling, even if his attempt at a cockney accent is imperfect.
Finally, Pacino chose a classic from his celebrated acting career: Serpico, the 1973 crime drama directed by Sidney Lumet.
The film tells the true story of NYPD officer Frank Serpico, who faces corruption within the force while trying to uphold the law. Pacino reflected on his work in the film, saying, “I thought Serpico was a pretty good movie.” The film received critical acclaim, earning Pacino a Golden Globe for Best Actor in a Motion Picture Drama and nominations for both him and Lumet at the Academy Awards.
Pacino’s selections showcase both his creative ambitions behind the camera and his legendary talent in front of it. Looking For Richard and The Local Stigmatic reveal his desire to push artistic boundaries, while Serpico reminds audiences of his iconic performances that shaped modern cinema.
- Looking For Richard (1996)
- The Local Stigmatic (1990)
- Serpico (1973)
It’s fascinating to see Pacino embrace both lesser-known personal projects and widely celebrated classics. It shows his deep passion for the craft rather than just fame. What do you think about his choices? Share your thoughts in the comments.
