Factual error: Set in the summer of 1977, serial killer David Berkowitz is seen throughout the film wearing a US Army woodland camouflage pattern field jacket. The Army did not start using these jackets nor were any ever made until the early 1980's. They were all solid green until then.
Summer of Sam (1999)
Ending / spoiler
Directed by: Spike Lee
Starring: John Leguizamo, Adrien Brody, Mira Sorvino, Jennifer Esposito
Richie (Adrien Brody) is almost taken to Luigi by Joey and his friends because they think Richie is the Son of Sam serial killer. The real Son of Sam (real name: David Berkowitz) was arrested earlier. Eddie, husband of Richie's mother, helps Richie by telling Joey and his friends that the real killer has already been arrested. The Yankees win the World Series against the Dodgers thanks to Reggie Jackson's home runs. About 3,700 people were arrested after the infamous blackout. Elvis dies that same year. David Berkowitz was imprisoned for six life sentences.
Alex
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Trivia: Throughout the movie the killer is portrayed as a childish, tantrum-throwing, reclusive psychopath with no self-control, who receives orders to kill from neighbor Sam Carr's black dog that trots into his bedroom. The character portrayal is inaccurate and the scene with the dog was obviously added to be a darkly humorous moment. In real life David Berkowitz served in the army, held jobs afterward, participated in satanic cult rituals, and used hallucinogenic drugs. And when pressed for his true motives by an FBI agent after his conviction he admitted that he targeted young ladies because he harbored negative emotions toward women. The order from the dog was a story that he initially told the police to preserve the option of pleading insanity, but he would later choose to plead guilty.