Serpico: Pacino was better Serpico than me

Police whistleblower Frank Serpico has said Al Pacino played him better than he did himself.

Pacino played the New York City detective who exposed widespread police corruption in the 1973 movie Serpico.

Serpico, 76, spoke to The Daily News in Ghent, in New York’s Hudson Valley, weeks after the death of fellow whistleblowing ex-detective David Durk.

He smiled as an interviewer noted he was ranked No 41, just behind Lassie, on the American Film Institute’s list of movie heroes. He said that was “good company”.

Serpico keeps busy trying to finish a book and taking solitary walks, according to interview.

Serpico and Durk’s efforts resulted in front-page headlines and a city panel that recommended reforms to prevent police corruption.