1. Michael Corleone The Godfather I, II & III (1972, 1974, 1990)
Its a testament to Pacino that the role which first broke him as a major Hollywood star, and which has remained his most famous, landmark moment throughout his career, has never come to completely define it. He was never going to let Michael Corleone type-cast him, and despite other gangster roles later in his life, Pacino succeeded brilliantly in allowing his most iconic character to exist in parallel to his own life, while always keeping his own terms with it. That said, there really is no other role which could compete as the definitive Pacino moment. Even the much lambasted third instalment of The Godfather Trilogy wasnt let down by Pacinos performance: rather it was other factors which caused that movie to flounder. But in the first two Godfather movies alone, Pacino created one of the most mesmerizing character studies ever set to film. All in all, its a towering achievement, in a masterful career, yet one which came right at the very beginning of his fame.
So there you have it: five of Al Pacinos most iconic moments. Special mention must also be given, however, to some other roles which didnt make the cut, but which quite possibly should have done so: Frank Slade in Scent of a Woman, Ricky Roma in Glengarry Glen Ross and Carlito Brigante in Carlitos Way all worthy runners up: or maybe you think they should have been higher?