Robert De Niro and Al Pacino are two of the greatest living actors in the world. Here is a list of films starring the G.O.A.T.s together.
Dubbed the greatest actors of all time, Robert De Niro and Al Pacino have played a pivotal role in the evolution of cinema from the 1970s to today. With three Oscars and a plethora of accolades between them, De Niro and Pacino are considered one of the most celebrated actor-duos on screen. Both, with their distinctive style and skill set, have risen to prominence, portraying iconic characters in a wide range of films over the years.
While their camaraderie inspires many, De Niro and Pacino’s competitive rivalry and oeuvre of films is a testament to the passion and respect they share for cinema. Words might fall far short of encapsulating the mighty prowess of the actors. Films like Dog Day Afternoon, Serpico, Scarface, The Panic in Needle Park by Al Pacino, Mean Streets, Raging Bull, and Deer Hunter by De Niro gave the actors a significant breakthrough during the New Hollywood era. With careers spanning over five decades, De Niro and Al Pacino have collaborated on four films, and here is the list of movies, ranked from good to great.
4 Righteous Kill (2008)
What Righteous Kill offers, unlike other collaborations, is an ample amount of screen time for De Niro and Pacino together. It fulfills the long-held desires of mutual fans, allowing them to witness the two actors portray veteran detectives in pursuit of a serial killer. However, the film falters in its underdeveloped characters and insipid screenplay, failing to capture the true essence and significance of this dynamic duo. Despite being the actors’ third collaboration following the highly acclaimed masterpiece Heat (1995), Righteous Kill falls short in terms of their performances.
The story follows New York detectives De Niro and Pacino as they track a serial killer who specifically targets criminals. Carla Gugino and 50 Cent also star in key roles. Commercially and critically, the film was poorly received, earning the distinction of being the lowest-rated film in De Niro and Al Pacino’s collaboration, with an audience rating of 6 on IMDb. While the movie does deliver the expected cat-and-mouse genre tropes with shoot-outs, fistfights, and stand-offs, it lacks an inventive plot twist and fails to provide an engaging narrative.
3 The Godfather Part II (1974)
Following the sensational global success of The Godfather (1972), Francis Ford Coppola reunites with Paramount to continue the Corleone legacy, with De Niro portraying the young Vito Corleone. Amidst speculation and apprehension, The Godfather Part II soared to critical acclaim and achieved significant box office numbers, with many proclaiming it superior to its prequel. The film meticulously traces Michael Corleone’s path into the world of organized crime following his father’s death while concurrently depicting the rise of a young Vito in a parallel timeline.
Much like its predecessor, The Godfather Part II is a masterful fusion of contemplative drama and cinematic brilliance, complemented by the iconic soundtrack composed by Nino Rota. In 1997, the American Film Institute ranked The Godfather Part II as the 32nd greatest film, lauding it as the most culturally, aesthetically, and historically significant work in the annals of American cinema. This film marked the first collaboration between the two ambitious actors and proved to be a breakthrough for De Niro, earning him a well-deserved Oscar for Best Supporting Actor. In retrospect, the convergence of these actors appears inevitable, as both hail from Italian heritage and share aspirations of making their mark in Hollywood.
With the Godfather trilogy, Coppola has defined the pillars of the gangster genre, serving as a profound inspiration for numerous acclaimed films worldwide. The trilogy has garnered a multitude of international awards, including the prestigious Best Picture award at the 47th Academy Awards, making it the first sequel to achieve such recognition. Revered as the epitome of cinematic excellence, the Godfather tirlogy stands as a definitive guide on crafting emotionally evocative gangster films with captivating narratives.
2 The Irishman (2019)
The Irishman (2019) is about a former WWII veteran turned mafia hitman, Frank Sheeran (De Niro), chronicling his life, the advent of American politics, mob fights, and his volatile friendship smeared with blood and sin. Among all the gangster films helmed by Martin Scorsese, The Irishman is a humdinger. It tells a rather poignant story of American culture and its veritable evolution through its characters, which calls for more introspection. De Niro as Frank Sheeran delivers a masterclass rendition that silver lines his mantle of sturdy gangster roles, culminated by an eccentric performance by Pacino as Hoffa.
It still comes as a surprise to many that the greatest filmmaker (Scorsese) and the greatest actor of the gangster genre (Pacino) never collaborated once in their long-lasting careers. Finally, Netflix’s big-budget film broke the spell by uniting the triumvirate of Scorsese, Pacino, and De Niro for the first time, thus making many cinephiles’ dreams come true. Also, the film brought Joe Pesci out of retirement, making the film much more special and iconic.
Touted as Scorsese’s most ambitious film to date, The Irishman utilized the de-ageing technique to support the complex timelines and character appearances. In Netflix’s documentary about the film’s production, Scorsese openly admitted his initial skepticism regarding the de-ageing technology, but ultimately became convinced to incorporate it into the film. The screenplay, adapted by Steve Zaillian from Charles Brandt’s book I Heard You Paint Houses, earned 10 nominations at the 92nd Academy Awards, including Best Picture and Best Director.
1 Heat (1995)
Neil McCauley (De Niro), a seasoned and prolific thief, determines to execute one final heist before retiring from his illicit endeavors. Lieutenant Hannah (portrayed by the nonpareil Al Pacino) is a conscientious detective, driven by an unwavering resolve to catch Neil. Together, these two formidable adversaries embark on a treacherous odyssey, each vying to outwit the other in an epic crime thriller masterfully crafted by the esteemed filmmaker, Michael Mann.
Heat stands as an exemplar of the crime thriller genre, with De Niro and Pacino delivering performances that transcend their already illustrious careers, further amplified by an engrossing screenplay. The heated contention between De Niro and Al Pacino at the diner remains perpetually as the greatest cinematic moments ever, enveloped in an atmosphere of intense and electrifying conflict.
Heat serves as a quintessential heist thriller that marks the first on-screen pairing of Pacino and De Niro. Critics hail the film as the greatest heist movie ever made, and even today, the film continues to inspire many films and filmmakers globally. Heat is the end result of a great script, a great director, and great actors joining hands to deliver the greatest cinematic experience ever.
In later years, the film garnered cult status and was cited as the most influential film in the crime/heist genre for its authenticity and slick cinematography. The film is loosely based on the pursuit of criminal Neil McCauley by Chicago police officer Chuck Adamson, and a sequel to this widely celebrated masterpiece was announced in 2022, based on Michael Mann’s novel, Heat 2.
