Page 1 of Who`s the greatest, Pacino or De Niro?

Seeing as things seem to have been a bit quiet of late on these forums, here`s a subject that I think most film fans will have an opinion on either way? I know that it isn`t strictly a dvd subject, but hey, that doesn`t normally stop other people on this site!
I would give the nod to Mr Pacino, for the variety of his roles and the fact that his ratio of `goodies` to `duds` is far more favourable than De Niro`s, though maybe that`s a bit unfair, as De Niro has surprisingly been in almost twice as many films as the (slightly older) Pacino.
I`m also a huge fan of De Niro but think that he saves his best work for his old mate Scorsese and was too prolific in the late `80s & `90s, appearing in too many crap/mediocre movies, e.g. Backdraft, The Fan etc.
Pacino in this period starred in generally good stuff - Sea of Love, Glengarry Glen Ross, Carlito`s Way and Donnie Brasco etc.
Or is Harvey Keitel better than the both of `em ?!.....

This item was edited on Monday, 16th April 2001, 22:18

I would normally say Tom Cruise to this but with his recent divorce and cold heartedness has made me not like him that much now. Clint Eastwood rocks both de niro and pacino. I have donnie brasco and any given sunday on dvd so i have to say pacino out of them two

For me, it would have to be De Niro. Although I always suprised at how many totally naff movies he has put his name to. Its weird, you wouldn`t think he would need to bother, but his best is incredible.
However, Pacino is also a great actor and its a pity that he has always been overshadowed by de Niro.

The question that has puzzled man for centuries (well maybe decades) who is better Pacino Or De Niro?

Tough call as they both have such different acting styles....Pacino must have at least one raving speech in his movies and is definately more charismatic out of the two but...

De Niro has done better stuff and thats what I`m basing my answer on. They are both in my top two list...

Heat = Perfect movie

Good topic

This item was edited on Tuesday, 17th April 2001, 00:40

Good call, James.

I admire both of them greatly, and `Heat` was a fantastic opportunity for the two of them to work together. The coffee shop scene remains, for me, the coming together of two of the best actors EVER, in my opinion.

In terms of cinematic style, Pacino probably just nudges it for me, mainly down to his `ad libbing`, which has directors tearing their hair out - a lot of `Heat` was unscripted, to allow Pacino to develop his own character the way he saw fit - it is noticeable (when he bursts into song, and when he confronts the salesman - just two of many).

DeNiro`s method acting is also fantastic - his weight-gain for the part of Jake La Motta in `Raging Bull` was sheer class, and the way he embraced the role of Bickle in `Taxi Driver` is known to everyone (`You talkin` to me..`).

Pacino 9.75 out of 10, deNiro 9.74 out of 10.

`Heat` - Number one film !

Pacino hands down!

He has more in his arsenal by a mile!

"Just listen to Mike Newell`s commentary in Donnie Brasco SE"

He picks out some of the classic little things that al does that most of us miss watching the film that makes him so good.

De Niro is good but he doesnt have the array of talent al has.

Pacino = 10
De Niro = 9
Caine = 9

For me its godda be Bobby De Niro.
Fair enough he`s done some pretty crap films: The Fan, Meet the parents, Rocky and arsewinkle to mention a few.
But in every one of his film`s he played HIS part to perfection.

He get`s the scrip, "well" he says, "I don`t fancy making that movie much but hey, it`ll pay the bills."

Pacino is too choosy with his rolls and fair enough is spot on in most of his movies.

But for me De Niro’s performances stand out…..
Taxi Driver
Mean streets
Deer hunter
Raging bull
Goodfellas
Awakenings
Cape Fear
Casino
Sleepers
Copland
Ronin
15 minutes
The Score

Every one of the above movies were good movies. In fact most of them were great.

Well that me lot.
Bobby 9.99
Al 9.5

`Heat` - Number one film !
Why? There is another film with de Niro and Pacino and that is one the greatest films. What is the title?.
De Niro and Pacino are the best actors that overact.
The best actors are always British: Michael Caine, Charles Laughton,
Sean Connery, Laurence Oliver etc.

DeNiro and pacino were in the God father but never faced each over in it, as de niro played a young vito.

Sean Connery? That guy has a scottish accent no matter what character he plays! be it a Russian submarine captain in the hunt for the red october or a gangster in The untouchable. I like him but he`s not the best actors out there!