Ongoing Sidney Lumet Centennial: An American Cinematheque Retrospective Series | THE VERDICT, CHILD’S PLAY, DOG DAY AFTERNOON, FAIL SAFE
ABOUT THE SERIES: The American Cinematheque is thrilled to celebrate the groundbreaking and incomparable American filmmaker, Sidney Lumet’s centennial. With a decade-spanning career and over 50 feature films, Lumet was one of the most prolific filmmakers of the modern era. Coupled with compelling storytelling and unforgettable performances, his films like DOG DAY AFTERNOON and FAIL SAFE, have a dedication to social realism, the human condition and issues of justice and morality which have left an indelible mark on the cinematic landscape. Born in 1924 to veterans of the Yiddish Theatre, Lumet followed in his parents’ footsteps and began acting as a child in Yiddish Theatre where his lifelong passion for storytelling began. After directing Off-Broadway plays, he transitioned to TV directing during the golden age of live dramas in the 1950’s, directing hundreds of episodes of Danger, Mama and You Are There with Walter Cronkite in one of his earliest TV roles. His directorial debut in film came with 12 ANGRY MEN and was quickly followed up with STAGE STRUCK and THAT KIND OF WOMAN. In the 1960’s, he directed 11 films including FAIL SAFE, a Cold War thriller that plunges viewers into the heart of political intrigue and moral dilemmas, showcasing Lumet’s unparalleled ability to capture the pulse-pounding drama of the era. Throughout his prolific career, Lumet continued to explore these themes with a wide range of films, including CHILD’S PLAY, a chilling mystery where not everything at this Catholic boarding school is as harmless as it seems. In 1975, the iconic DOG DAY AFTERNOON with Al Pacino’s tour de force performance as a desperate bank robber attempting to negotiate his way out of a tense hostage situation. Continuing in the 80s, Lumet’s distinctive style was characterized by his meticulous attention to detail, innovative use of location shooting, and ability to elicit powerful performances from his actors. 1982 brought THE VERDICT, a riveting courtroom drama starring Paul Newman as a down-and-out lawyer seeking redemption through a high-stakes medical malpractice case. Lumet’s ability to masterfully guides us through the moral labyrinth is a testament to his ability to delve into the complexities of human nature and justice.