Fresh Air Al Pacino & Sidney Lumet: 'Dog Day Afternoon' At 50
Oct 3, 2025
In this engaging discussion, acclaimed director Sidney Lumet shares insights from his remarkable career and creative process, highlighting his collaboration with actors. Award-winning actor Al Pacino reveals behind-the-scenes stories of his iconic roles, including how he captured the emotional intensity in Dog Day Afternoon. Maureen Corrigan reviews Kiran Desai's novel The Loneliness of Sonia and Sunny, noting its exploration of exile and its Booker Prize shortlist status. Their perspectives on art, performance, and storytelling make for a captivating listen.
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Why Final Cut Matters
- Sidney Lumet insisted on Final Cut to protect the integrity of his films and avoid arbitrary studio edits.
- He argued that once editing is finished the film must remain untouched to preserve the director's vision.
Studio Cut Demand On The Hill
- Lumet recalled Metro Goldwyn Mayer demanding seven minutes cut from The Hill to meet a company runtime rule.
- He only avoided the cut because management changed, showing studio interference's real consequences.
Directing By Actor Needs
- Lumet adapts his directing style to each actor rather than imposing a single method.
- He believes directing is about making actors comfortable in the way they work best.
