Robert De Niro vs. Al Pacino

[Dick Dance]

Very, very, very tough decision. De Niro has Raginig Bull, Godafather 2, Goodfellas, and The Deer Hunter to his credit but Pacino also has The Godfather Trilogy, Scarface, Carlito's Way, and an underrated Any Given Sunday to his credit.

This is a tough call with two actors who are probably two of the best of all-time. I'd give the slight edge to De Niro for one reason. Jake La Motta.

[ColinM]

There are lots of movies with these guys at their best that I have still not scene, but plan on in the next few days when I get free time. I'm referring to Raging Bull, Taxi Driver, The Deer Hunter, Goodfellas, Scarface, Scent of a Woman and Glengarry Glen Ross. Can you guys believe I call myself a serious movie fan and still haven't seen some of these movies? http://www.joblo.com/ubb/wink.gif

Going by what I've seen now, it's a VERY tough call. They both would be in my top ten (or five) list of all-time favorite actors. Right now, the edge goes to Al Pacino if only for his fantastic performance(s) in the entire Godfather Trilogy.

[This message has been edited by ColinM (edited 02-04-2002).]

[max]

In terms of Oscar nominations and awards, they're about the same. In terms of the number of great films, De Niro's been in more (RAGING BULL, TAXI DRIVER, MEAN STREETS, GOODFELLAS, THE DEER HUNTER, THE KING OF COMEDY, ONCE UPON A TIME IN AMERICA, BRAZIL, GODFATHER II, HEAT. Pacino has GODFATHER I and II (note that I didn't include CRAPFATHER III), SERPICO, DOG DAY AFTERNOON, GLENGARRY GLEN ROSS. As of late, De Niro has shown more comic range. My verdict: De Niro over Pacino.

[rupert_pupkin]

No contest
DeNiro by a mile.
Al Pacino has not made a convincing or subtle performance since Godfather part II.
Scarface is horribly dated
I have said it before and I will say it again: - Talking quietly and THEN SHOUTING LOUDLY is not acting.
I enjoyed Pacino in the Insider, but he he is shown up by Russel Crowe in terms of subtlety and depth.

[ColinM]

<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by rupert_pupkin:
I have said it before and I will say it again: - Talking quietly and THEN SHOUTING LOUDLY is not acting.</font>

I don't think talking quietly then shouting loudly is what makes everyone believe Pacino is a great actor (except for his role in Dick Tracy, which was more comedic than anything else). He has a kind of intensity that few actors today have.

[V dude]

Hehe there is no question

Robert Ne Niro with out a shadow of a doubt

[The Rob]

Deniro

[Roswell]

They are both first class actors,no doubt about it,and im not even saying that Robert De Niro is a better actor,just that his movies have ment more to me personally,his work has effected me more than any other actor could,with the exeption of Edward Norton.
Taxi Driver,Raging Bull...these are THE movies in any way you look at it,for me anyway.

[Big Screen Fan]

Robert De Niro

[rupert_pupkin]

ColinM - The problem I have with Pacino is that he is wasted talent.
I dont get pissed off that Stallone never makes good movies because he's a poor actor.
Pacino seems to have ignored depth in performance and become a parodic charicature of himself(Devils advocate, Scent of a Woman, Glengarry Glen Ross etc)
this is aslo true of Jack Nicholson.(although Jack redeemed himself recently
with his understated performance in The Pledge)
I guess you could make the same argument with DeNiro. However, the diversity of his peformances and his comic talent(as max said) raise him above Pacino

[jaymx]

I could write loads, but I am pressed for time

De Niro- Goodfellas, Deer Hunter, Taxi Driver, Raging Bull

Maybe if Pacino had a Scorsese then I might think differently. Also, when they have both been head to head, for example Heat and Godfather II I think that De Niro takes it by a mile.

I really enjoy Pacino's work but he does seem a little to erratic and highly charged. See Any Given Sunday and Devil's Advocate.