ZeppFanForever Posted August 27, 2009 Share Posted August 27, 2009 In my opinion, Al Pacino and Robert DeNiro are two of the greatest actors of any generation. Both have made some of the greatest movies of all-time. Al Pacino: the Godfather I and II - Serpico - Dog Day Afternoon - Scarface - Scent of a Woman - Sea of Love - Heat - are among his greatest performances. Of course there are more. Robert DeNiro: the Godfather II - Taxi Driver - Deer Hunter - Raging Bull - Once Upon a Time in America - Cape Fear - Heat - are among his greatest performances. Again, of course, there are more. So, if you happen to be a fan of these two "living legends" who would you have to say is the better of these two great actors? By using the word "better" I guess I am asking which of these two actors is your favorite? I love them both equally but I would have to say my first choice would be Mr. Robert DeNiro. Why? Hard question. I guess I just prefer his movies a little bit more than Mr. Al Pacinos. Just a little bit. Ironically, I would have to personally say that "Scarface" just might be my favorite movie of all-time. To me this makes sense. Better actor overall, DeNiro. Best film overall, Scarface. Again, if you are a fan of these two acting "giants" who would you choose? Big Al or Bobby D.? How's it going "lzzoso?" I hope all is well with you. I CAN'T BELIEVE IT, WE'RE BACK TO DENIRO and PACINO AGAIN! Ha Ha! It must be pretty close between the two since we last had a post here. It is really hard to choose between the two because both DeNiro and Pacino are great actors. Personally, I have to choose both of them even though I chose Pacino ONLY BECAUSE OF SCARFACE! I just saw GOODFELLAS AGAIN and DeNiro was SUPERB!!!! Damn "lzzoso," you sure do know how to ask a difficult question! Ha Ha! ROCK ON my friend! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lzzoso Posted August 5, 2011 Author Share Posted August 5, 2011 And the Winner is... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
silvermedalist Posted August 5, 2011 Share Posted August 5, 2011 And the Winner is... The winner is Pacino. He is more versatile. Both great, but Al gets my vote for sure. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BlackDog71 Posted August 5, 2011 Share Posted August 5, 2011 I'm going with DeNiro. His performances stick with me more. I remember more of his quotes and performances than I do with Pacino. Both are great, but my personal taste goes to DeNiro overall. I just think he's a better actor. Raging Bull is what shows how great he really is in my opinion. There's many more too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
austrianzeppelin Posted August 5, 2011 Share Posted August 5, 2011 just for taxi driver and deer hunter alone it has to be De Niro....both great actors, but in terms of who wins its no contest Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beetleron Posted August 5, 2011 Share Posted August 5, 2011 plus he makes a perdy frankenstein.................. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
greenman Posted August 5, 2011 Share Posted August 5, 2011 They've both given iconic performances and duds. I think I've mentioned before that I love the fact that Pacino still does theatre, though DeNiro not doing it shouldn't be held against him. Some are actors for film exclusively (even Brando questioned Pacino's love of theatre. Though Brando had done it, he hated it). Pacino's style is I'd say generally much closer to that of the threater so its not really supprizing, very expressive both vocally and in movement. DeNiro and Brando on the other hand tended towards subtler performances, smaller mannerisms that anyone further back than the first few rows wouldnt be able to see onstage. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
3hrsoflunacy Posted August 5, 2011 Share Posted August 5, 2011 I think they are both great, but I would have tip my hat to DeNiro. He covers more genres and does it well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
the chase Posted August 6, 2011 Share Posted August 6, 2011 They are my 2 favorites, but I'd have to give the nod to Robert DeNiro for Raging Bull.. not my favorite movie he made, but the performance and the transformation... packing on 70 pounds for a movie role? Al Pacino never went that far. DeNiro's Al Capone was perfect.. Pacino's Jack Kervorkian was amazing as well.. It's a shame they didn't do more together.. Heat was very good, but they were only in 2 scenes together ... Obviously they weren't in any GF2 scenes together. Righteous Kill wasn't that great. DeNiro had Joe Pesci as an amazing foil... Pacino lost his perfect foil, John Cazalle.. "You have to answer for Santino Carlo" "Get out of my sight" "Hey Frank?! You a piece of sh*t" "That Guy's soft" "But not a Snitch!" "Who do you think we are? Baggage handlers!" "I kill a Communist for fun. But for a green card? I'm gonna carve him up real nice" "Fredo. You're my older brother, and I love you. But don't ever take sides with anyone against the Family again... Ever." "I don't want anything to happen to him... while my Mother's alive" "You insulted him a little bit" "Drinks are on the House" "The f*ck dented my shoes" "It's delicious, Delicious" "Looks like someone we know" "What the f*ck's the matter with you?" (repeat 15 times) "The hoof" "See ya in Church" "What'd I do"? (repeat 10 times) "You're just a lot of talk and a badge" (repeat 100 times) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
silvermedalist Posted August 6, 2011 Share Posted August 6, 2011 You just compare the performances as Mickael Corleone and Tony Montana and then look at him in a film like Dog Day Afternoon. Now if that is not versatility I don't know what is? No way can DeNiro touch that. And Robert is great. But he is not Pacino. Heat was a film I loved where they play together. One of DiNero's finest in my book. And his portrayal of a young Vito Corleone. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Patrycja Posted August 7, 2011 Share Posted August 7, 2011 Pacino's style is I'd say generally much closer to that of the threater so its not really supprizing, very expressive both vocally and in movement. DeNiro and Brando on the other hand tended towards subtler performances, smaller mannerisms that anyone further back than the first few rows wouldnt be able to see onstage. When actors of this calibre are compared, they are such masters of their craft that it's a matter of taste, ultimately. I prefer those who do both stage and screen and like to imagine that it makes some difference, adds a depth or range to one's repertoire, but that's also my love for theatre bias talking. Still, having seen Pacino live twice now, all I can say is that's it's a life altering experience. He's got waaaaaaay more range than we often see on screen (recent HBO films notwithstanding). Sometimes performances on screen show little of what an actor can do because of what's left out of the final cut (be it for artistic or petty reasons - sometimes cuts serve the story, other times performances that upstage the star are cut...) Anyway... Pacino. Any day of the week. And twice on Sunday Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
silvermedalist Posted August 7, 2011 Share Posted August 7, 2011 When actors of this calibre are compared, they are such masters of their craft that it's a matter of taste, ultimately. I prefer those who do both stage and screen and like to imagine that it makes some difference, adds a depth or range to one's repertoire, but that's also my love for theatre bias talking. Still, having seen Pacino live twice now, all I can say is that's it's a life altering experience. He's got waaaaaaay more range than we often see on screen (recent HBO films notwithstanding). Sometimes performances on screen show little of what an actor can do because of what's left out of the final cut (be it for artistic or petty reasons - sometimes cuts serve the story, other times performances that upstage the star are cut...) Anyway... Pacino. Any day of the week. And twice on Sunday I am in full agreement. Pacino all the way. Its Mob week on AMC so I guess that is what has stirred all of this up? They are playing Goodfellas and the Godfather movies over and over. Just hope they leave the Godfather part III out of it. It was a discredit to the first two. I am a big fan of Carlito's way. How the hell they ever made Sean Penn look like a lawyer is beyond me. Scarface has been on alot too. Has there ever been a movie that has demanded as much editing of language? Doubt it. Now they just silence the F word and all. Like they do on another forum I was visiting until I was banned for the umpteenth time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BIGDAN Posted August 7, 2011 Share Posted August 7, 2011 Pacino for me too. At least a whole head above DeNiro, even as I consider DeNiro to be GREAT. Two favorite performances would be Donny Brasco and Scent of A Woman. Cheers, Brad Hi Brad, you talking to me? Kind Regards, Danny Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Black_Dog_90 Posted August 8, 2011 Share Posted August 8, 2011 They're both legendary actors and definitely one of the greatest actors of all time. They've both portrayed one of the most interesting characters and starred in many good films. Not to mention they're one of my favourite actors. It is very hard to decide which actor is better and I can't vote. I can just say that in my opinion Robert De Niro is a bit more versatile and Al Pacino is a bit more entertaining. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2bitnogoodjive Posted August 8, 2011 Share Posted August 8, 2011 Pacino Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
silvermedalist Posted August 8, 2011 Share Posted August 8, 2011 They're both legendary actors and definitely one of the greatest actors of all time. They've both portrayed one of the most interesting characters and starred in many good films. Not to mention they're one of my favourite actors. It is very hard to decide which actor is better and I can't vote. I can just say that in my opinion Robert De Niro is a bit more versatile and Al Pacino is a bit more entertaining. How is it you can say DeNiro is more versatile? Becauseof Meet the Parents? Come on. Pacino in Dog Day Afternoon was a far different character than he is usually cast as. Pacino gets my vote hands down. Brad, how can you pick those movies over the Godfather, or Carlito's Way or Scarface? Donnie Brasco I am a big fan of also. Its prett close between that and Carlito's Way. But his legacy will be the Godfather I and II and Scarface. I personally love both actors in Heat. One of my favorites. That shootout scene after the bank robbery is just plain crazy. The end of the film was special. Kind of like a mutual admiration they had for each other and Pacino of course being the cop wins over Robert the criminal But he played the kind of criminal you cheered for. Knowing he was in a way a "{good criminal". His role as Neil McCauley is one of my favorites by him ever. Loved it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lzzoso Posted August 9, 2011 Author Share Posted August 9, 2011 How is it you can say DeNiro is more versatile? Becauseof Meet the Parents? Come on. Pacino in Dog Day Afternoon was a far different character than he is usually cast as. Pacino gets my vote hands down. Brad, how can you pick those movies over the Godfather, or Carlito's Way or Scarface? Donnie Brasco I am a big fan of also. Its prett close between that and Carlito's Way. But his legacy will be the Godfather I and II and Scarface. I personally love both actors in Heat. One of my favorites. That shootout scene after the bank robbery is just plain crazy. The end of the film was special. Kind of like a mutual admiration they had for each other and Pacino of course being the cop wins over Robert the criminal But he played the kind of criminal you cheered for. Knowing he was in a way a "{good criminal". His role as Neil McCauley is one of my favorites by him ever. Loved it. I have to agree and say that I also beleive Robert De Niro to be the more versatile actor of these two. I say this because I think that Bobby is/was considered more of the "method" actor. Since the beginning of his career, De Niro always immersed himself in the roles that he chose. He seemed to almost become his character instead of merely acting his character. I realize that Al Pacino was almost as versatile, however, I know of no characters that Pacino played where he actually put on 70+lbs to become his character as Bobby did for "Raging Bull". De Niro also got a real taxi permit (and actually drove a taxi around New York City for a couple of months with real New Yorkers) for his role in "Taxi Driver" and a real bus license for his role in "A Bronx Tale". These are only but 3 instances that I mention where Robert De Niro actually and completely tried to be as authentic to the characters and roles that he played. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Black_Dog_90 Posted August 9, 2011 Share Posted August 9, 2011 How is it you can say DeNiro is more versatile? Becauseof Meet the Parents? Come on. Pacino in Dog Day Afternoon was a far different character than he is usually cast as. Pacino gets my vote hands down. Brad, how can you pick those movies over the Godfather, or Carlito's Way or Scarface? Donnie Brasco I am a big fan of also. Its prett close between that and Carlito's Way. But his legacy will be the Godfather I and II and Scarface. I personally love both actors in Heat. One of my favorites. That shootout scene after the bank robbery is just plain crazy. The end of the film was special. Kind of like a mutual admiration they had for each other and Pacino of course being the cop wins over Robert the criminal But he played the kind of criminal you cheered for. Knowing he was in a way a "{good criminal". His role as Neil McCauley is one of my favorites by him ever. Loved it. I had already said it was very hard for me to decide anything because both actors are one of the greatest of all and are in the same league but I had to say that just because of his role in Raging Bull. Like lzzoso said, him building up muscle and later gaining weight for the same film was amazing. I didn't say Robert De Niro is a better actor or that Al Pacino is not versatile. Al Pacino is actually as versatile as Robert De Niro and his transformations for example in films like The Godfather, Serpico, Scarface, Scent Of A Woman were simply amazing. Robert De Niro is just a bit, a little bit, more versatile just because of Raging Bull. And I forgot to say, Al Pacino has the edge over and is better than Robert De Niro in stage acting and plays. Can't you see I'm trying to tell you that I like and respect both actors equally. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
silvermedalist Posted August 10, 2011 Share Posted August 10, 2011 I had already said it was very hard for me to decide anything because both actors are one of the greatest of all and are in the same league but I had to say that just because of his role in Raging Bull. Like lzzoso said, him building up muscle and later gaining weight for the same film was amazing. I didn't say Robert De Niro is a better actor or that Al Pacino is not versatile. Al Pacino is actually as versatile as Robert De Niro and his transformations for example in films like The Godfather, Serpico, Scarface, Scent Of A Woman were simply amazing. Robert De Niro is just a bit, a little bit, more versatile just because of Raging Bull. And I forgot to say, Al Pacino has the edge over and is better than Robert De Niro in stage acting and plays. Can't you see I'm trying to tell you that I like and respect both actors equally. Indeed both in my top three to five ever. Clint is up there too. A couple of nice lists on that other thread. I have been renting some old movies lately. Must give them their just due. Alot of great movies came out before many of us were born. Its amazing to see how Hollywood evolved. And how film was in different countries. England, France, etc. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lzzoso Posted August 18, 2011 Author Share Posted August 18, 2011 Happy Birthday to you, Mr. De Niro. I still think that you are the best!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
silvermedalist Posted August 18, 2011 Share Posted August 18, 2011 Happy Birthday to you, Mr. De Niro. I still think that you are the best!!! Pacino!!!! This thread never dies. But hell, there are many more actors worthy of compaison. Buf for now, Al Pacino gets my vote. He is, and I love Robert and mean him no disrespect, but I believe Pacino is all around more intelligent and has starred in more diverse roles that were smash hits. Robert is a tough guy. Period. Unless you want to drag those silly Meet the Parents films into this. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kingzoso Posted November 7, 2016 Share Posted November 7, 2016 On 7/27/2009 at 0:23 AM, lzzoso said: Hello, everyone out there. The reason why I started this topic, aside from the obvious I stated about these two being the greatest actors of any generation, is because I was watching the biography channel the other night and it had Al Pacino on at 12am and Robert Deniro on at 1am (Central Standard Time, I am in Dallas, Texas). Believe it or not this was the first time I had ever seen the biographies of these two legends on television. Aside from watching them I also DVR'd them. Anyway, last night I was amazed to see that the Al Pacino movie, "Cruising" was on one of the Encore channels. I have seen this movie a long time ago but naturally watched it again last night. For those unfamiliar with it, it is the movie where Big Al goes undercover as a gay man in search of a serial killer targeting homosexuals in NYC. Decent movie. Released in 1980. Of course with Al any movie with him in it is worth watching. Anyway, what REALLY caught my eye was at the end of the movie when the credits were rolling it says PRODUCED BY JERRY WEINTRAUB. Now, for the true Led Zeppelin fans, we all know that the same Jerry Weintraub helped promote some of Led Zeppelins live concerts during 1977 North American tour. The same Jerry Weintraub who also promoted the almighty ELVIS himself. I personally found this pretty interesting. It seems there may be some kind of link between Led Zeppelin and Mr. Al Pacino. Another side note: Jerry Weintraub also produced at least 2 of the "Oceans Eleven" movies and its sequels. In My opinion, the two greatest American actors of All-Time. Both sitting side by side answering some pretty lame questions by a disgraced newsman. I don't care about the interviewer or his questions, I am focused on Bob and Al. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kipper Posted November 14, 2016 Share Posted November 14, 2016 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LedZeppfan1977 Posted November 14, 2016 Share Posted November 14, 2016 Robert DeNiro is on record this week he feels like he did after 911 after this election. That makes to of us. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kipper Posted March 31, 2018 Share Posted March 31, 2018 On 11/14/2016 at 7:20 AM, LedZeppfan1977 said: Robert DeNiro is on record this week he feels like he did after 911 after this election. That makes to of us. Such a shame that a great actor like DeNiro has become such a idiot. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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