Dog Day Afternoon

On August 22, 1972, Sonny Wortzik embarks on his first heist along with his associates, Salvatore 'Sal' Naturile and Stevie. However, the robbery quickly spirals out of control when Stevie panics and makes a hasty escape, leaving Sonny and Sal to deal with the aftermath.

Upon entering the bank, Sonny and Sal discover they have arrived too late, and only $1,100 is left available. Desperate and frustrated, Sonny decides to seize the traveler's checks instead, which leads to further complications.

In an attempt to destroy evidence, Sonny burns the cash register in a trash can. The smoke quickly raises alarms outside, leading to the building being surrounded by police, increasing the stakes for the robbers.

As the police surround the bank, Sonny and Sal take the bank employees hostage to negotiate their escape. Tensions rise as they realize the extent of the situation and the pressure they are under.

Detective Sergeant Eugene Moretti initiates contact with Sonny, who tries to bluff his way out of the situation. Sonny threatens harm to the hostages, indicating he might take drastic measures if his demands are not met.

During the tense standoff, one of the hostages suffers an asthma attack, and Sonny decides to release him as a gesture to show he does not want to harm the hostages. This move catches the attention of the police and media outside.

In a moment to rally support, Sonny shouts 'Attica! Attica!' to draw attention, referencing the recent Attica Prison riot. This call resonates with the growing crowd outside, who cheer for him, adding fuel to the tense situation.

As night falls, Sonny increases the stakes by demanding a getaway vehicle and pizzas for the hostages. He also requests that his estranged wife, Angie, be brought to the scene, showcasing his personal struggles.

Sonny's partner, Leon Shermer, arrives with shocking revelations about the robbery's motive: the need for funding Leon's sex reassignment surgery. This revelation highlights the connection between the robbers and adds depth to their desperate circumstances.

FBI Agent Sheldon takes control as negotiations unfold, minimizing Sonny's demands and denying further concessions. The atmosphere grows increasingly tense as the situation remains unresolved into the night.

When the bank manager, Mulvaney, suffers a diabetic crisis, the FBI negotiates to allow a doctor inside. This moment illustrates the human cost of the standoff as Sonny tries to maintain control under mounting pressure.

In a critical moment, Sonny offers to let Mulvaney go, but the manager refuses to leave his employees behind. Meanwhile, Sonny's mother pleads for his surrender, further complicating his emotional state.

As negotiations reach a tipping point, a limousine, a crucial part of Sonny's escape plan, arrives. Sonny checks it for weapons, demonstrating his desperation and the escalating tension between him and the authorities.

As the escape situation unfolds, Sal's nervousness leads to chaos when his gun misfires. This pivotal moment results in agents apprehending Sonny, turning the robbery into a violent standoff.

In the aftermath, Sonny watches as Sal's lifeless body is removed from the car, marking the tragic end of the heist. The resolution reveals that Sonny is sentenced to twenty years in prison, while his family struggles with welfare dependency, emphasizing the high costs of their actions.