Sidney Lumet’s 1975 classic, Dog Day Afternoon, isn’t just a suspenseful crime drama; it’s based on a bizarre and tragic true story that unfolded in Brooklyn in 1972. The film draws heavily from the events surrounding John Wojtowicz’s attempted robbery of a Chase Manhattan Bank branch in Gravesend, Brooklyn. The real incident, though less polished than the Hollywood version, provided the raw material for a compelling narrative about desperation, societal pressures, and the complexities of human motivation.
On August 22, 1972, Wojtowicz, along with two accomplices, Salvatore Naturile and Robert Sheldon, entered the bank with the intention of robbing it. Sheldon quickly fled, leaving Wojtowicz and Naturile to carry out the heist. Their initial plan, reportedly to secure funds for Wojtowicz’s partner, Ernest Aron (who later underwent gender reassignment surgery and became Elizabeth Eden), quickly spiraled out of control. They hoped to acquire $30,000 for Eden’s operation.
The robbery quickly went awry. Police were alerted, and the bank was surrounded. What followed was a tense, fourteen-hour standoff that captivated the nation. Wojtowicz, portrayed as Sonny Wortzik by Al Pacino in the film, became an unlikely media sensation. He was charismatic and vocal, engaging with the police, the media, and the hostages, whom he treated with surprising empathy. He demanded a plane to escape, fuel to fill it, and safe passage for himself and his partner.
While the film embellishes certain aspects of the story, the core elements remain true. Wojtowicz did negotiate with the FBI, and he did attempt to secure a plane. The relationship between Sonny and Sal (Naturile) in the film mirrors the real-life bond between Wojtowicz and Naturile. Both were intensely loyal to each other, and their interactions during the standoff were marked by a complex mix of affection, frustration, and desperation.
The real-life tragedy culminated when, after agreeing to be transported to the airport in a limousine, Naturile was shot and killed by an FBI agent. Wojtowicz was arrested and sentenced to 20 years in prison. He served five years and was released. He later sold the rights to his story for a sum that reportedly helped fund Eden’s surgery. Wojtowicz, however, felt exploited by the film, particularly in its portrayal of his sexuality.
Dog Day Afternoon, while a work of fiction, offers a glimpse into the motivations and circumstances that drove John Wojtowicz to commit such a desperate act. It highlights the societal prejudices and financial hardships that pushed him to the brink. While the film romanticizes certain elements, the underlying story of a botched robbery motivated by love and desperation continues to resonate, making it a powerful and enduring piece of cinema history.
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