In 1972, John Wojtowicz attempted to rob a Brooklyn bank to pay for his lover’s sex-change operation. The story was the basis for the film Dog Day Afternoon. The Dog captures John, who shares his story for the first time in his own unique, offensive, hilarious and heartbreaking way. We gain a historic perspective on New York’s gay liberation movement, in which Wojtowicz played an active role. In later footage, he remains a subversive force, backed by the unconditional love of his mother Terry, whose wit and charm infuse the film. How and why the bank robbery took place is recounted in gripping detail by Wojtowicz and various eyewitnesses.

John Wojtowicz took pride in being a pervert. Coming of age in the 1960s, his libido was excessive even by standards of the era, with multiple wives and lovers. In August 1972, he attempted to rob a bank to finance his lover's sex-reassignment surgery. This resulted in a hostage situation that was broadcast on TV. Three years later, Al Pacino portrayed his crime in Dog Day Afternoon, which had a profound influence on Wojtowicz. When he emerged from prison, he was known as “The Dog.”