Someone once said if Ratzo from Midnight Cowboy became well and did not die on that bus, 8 years later, he might have been Max Dembo! I think this was Hoffman's greatest performance. I could also see Al Pacino playing this role, too.
Although more "menacing", Hoffman is the subtler actor. Also, I think, has the more adult voice (although nasal). That voice and extra 3 years on Al served Dembo well. He's a lost cause and nearing middle age, Al looked rather young in the 70s.
