Al Pacino is one of the greatest actors of his generation and maybe even of the entire movie industry from start to current. His portrayal is amazing and it's a story that needs to be told. We cannot suffer traitors, including females.

The actress that played Axis Sally was way too pretty for the role, making you feel like this woman could've gotten anything she wanted, while the real Axis Sally was above average at best for the 1930's-40's. That flaw in the movie really kind of ruins it. No one would've believed a really pretty girl gave a rat's butt about anyone but herself, especially back then. The fact Mildred Gillers wasn't as attractive made it more believable that she didn't want to be a traitor but did so for a man. As a result of casting the wrong actress, the film ends up more cliche and drags the film down both historically and as a whole. It would've been a 9 or even 10 with the right actress, or at least one trying to portray Mildred Gillers as less sex kitten ish than fairly attractive farm girl who wasn't ever going to be on Broadway.

Just really, it's barely a 7 as a result, but Pacino is so good, it pulls it from the gutter.