When inexperienced criminal Sonny Wortzik (Al Pacino) leads a bank robbery in Brooklyn, things quickly go awry, and a hostage situation develops. As Sonny and his accomplice, Sal Naturile (John Cazale), try to remain in control, a media circus develops and the FBI arrives. Gradually, Sonny's surprising motivations are revealed, and his standoff with law enforcement moves toward its inevitable end.