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This is a very interesting debate to get into, mainly because both actors are so well loved and appreciated and because of the fact that their careers are so similar. They both reached huge fame from their part in The Godfather Saga, they have both earned an Academy Award and both are known universally for playing an assorted mix of mobsters and gangsters.

I find that the best way to compare two actors is to pit their respective bodies of work against one another. You should try and switch the roles and the actors. How would Robert DeNiro perform in one of Al Pacino's? How would Pacino do in something like Raging Bull which is in my opinion, the greatest DeNiro performance and one of the greatest performances in general that we have ever seen.

My answer for the better of the two actors would be Al Pacino. DeNiro's highest peak of ability and craftsman ship was in no doubt from 1974 - 1980. Most of his performances after that were cheesy or just typical tough guy roles. Look at something like Goodfellas. Yes, it is a great movie but DeNiro's character really didn't demand much craft or finesse, that is something that Pacino could have easily done. DeNiro is just way too comfortable playing the tough guy and I think that has crippled his range. Look at his greatest roles; Deer Hunter, Godfather 2, Raging Bull, Goodfellas...they were all in charge and tough characters that showed little vulnerability.

Pacino has had a wide range playing someone of power and regret in The Godfather Saga, a crusader in And Justice For All, a blind man trying to come to terms with his life and his abilities in Scent of a Woman, a Cuban drug kingpin in Scarface, etc. In my eyes, DeNiro just couldn't compete with Pacino's subtle range and abilities. Pacino isn't afraid to show vulnerability and to also play the tough guy. While both guys are great and will always be viewed as piers and equals, I do believe that Al Pacino has the edge.

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