Al Pacino on Marlon Brando’s ‘Godfather’ Oscar win: ‘Let’s clear the air’
Al Pacino doesn’t maintain a grudge in opposition to his “The Godfather” co-star Marlon Brando, who scored the Best Actor Oscar award, regardless of having extra traces than him within the 1972 drama.
The “Home of Gucci” star, 82, sat down for a uncommon chat Wednesday with David Rubenstein as a part of New York’s 92nd Road Y’s “Individuals Who Encourage Us” collection, the place he seemed again on his legendary profession.
Pacino was requested if he was mad about Brando’s Academy Award, 50 years later. The New York native did obtain a nod for Best Supporting Actor on the 1973 ceremony.
“How does a narrative like that get out? I wasn’t upset, are you kidding me?” Pacino famous, by way of the Hollywood Reporter.
“Let’s clear the air on that one. I’d been listening to about that up the grapevine,” mentioned the actor, who performed Michael, the son of mob boss Vito Corleone (Brando).
The “Serpico” icon additional spoke about Francis Ford Coppola’s revered mob flick, disagreeing with legions of followers who’ve mentioned that its 1974 sequel, “The Godfather Half II,” is healthier than its predecessor.
The second film within the mafia household trilogy, starring Robert De Niro because the youthful model of the Corleone patriarch, is regarded by film historians as superior to the primary characteristic.
Stated Pacino, “I actually suppose it’s extra — what would you name it — creative or one thing, I don’t know. I don’t imply to play it down and be overly modest as a result of I star in it with Bob de Niro, however on the similar time, it’s a distinct movie.”
Including that it’s nonetheless a “nice film,” Pacino thinks that the mother or father flick “is extra entertaining.”
” ‘Godfather II’ is that this examine, this private factor for Francis [Ford Coppola],” he went on. “ ‘Godfather I,’ I noticed it not too long ago, it’s at all times acquired two or three issues occurring in a scene.”
He elaborated, “You’re at all times within the story, you’re going. You don’t know what’s going to occur subsequent, it’s storytelling, it’s actually storytelling at its finest. ‘Godfather II’ form of linearizes, and [it’s] sort of completely different, somber, strikes slowly.”
Paramount’s adaptation of Mario Puzo’s crime novel celebrated its fiftieth anniversary final yr, which additionally noticed the community’s premiere of “The Supply,” a fictional miniseries primarily based on the making of the film.
The Paramount+ present starred Miles Teller and Matthew Goode, as producers Al Ruddy and Robert Evans, respectively, as they embark on a quest to create one of many greatest films ever made.
The “Scent of a Girl” actor additionally revealed through the interview that he’s screened the restricted collection and joked that “about half of it was true.”
“Actually, that’s a shock,” he added.
Contemplating the title’s historic success, Pacino laughed as he recalled a humorous reminiscence of himself and co-star Diane Keaton on the set of “The Godfather,” by which the lifelong associates acquired drunk and quipped that their careers have been “over” and “a large number.”
Now, a half-century of appearing later, Pacino can be dipping his toes into the literary world, divulging that he’s penning a memoir after many years within the leisure trade.
“You get to that age, you begin to do issues like that. I stayed away from it, however I feel I’ve acquired to form of speak about sure issues,” Pacino mentioned. “It’s positive, I’ve youngsters and all, it’d be a good suggestion, and I’m engaged on it.”
As for stepping again from Tinseltown, Pacino joked that he’s lengthy been prepared to hold up his hat. “I’m at all times retired. I used to be retired once I was 25. I imply, who cares? Please don’t name it retired, I simply don’t need to work anymore.”
“I don’t know, typically I simply don’t need to do it as a lot.”