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Behind-the-Scenes Secret from The Godfather: Marlon Brando’s Line Delivery Revealed
The Godfather, a cinematic masterpiece released in 1972, continues to captivate audiences and is widely regarded as one of the greatest films ever produced. Starring Marlon Brando, Al Pacino, and James Caan, this iconic movie holds a near-perfect 9.2/10 rating on IMDb. However, admirers of this classic crime film are just now discovering an intriguing behind-the-scenes detail regarding the filming of some of its most memorable scenes – specifically, the unconventional method actor Marlon Brando employed to deliver his dialogue.
Unconventional Line Delivery by Marlon Brando
Marlon Brando, portraying Vito Corleone, the patriarch of a mafia dynasty passing his legacy to his youngest son Michael, played by Al Pacino, reportedly did not always memorize his lines. Instead, to overcome this, Brando ingeniously used a method of having fellow actors hold cue cards containing his lines just out of camera view, allowing him to subtly glance at them when needed during filming.
Robert Duvall’s Behind-the-Camera Assistance
An image circulating on X, shared by All The Right Movies, showcases actor Robert Duvall holding Brando’s script against his chest during a scene. Positioned with his back to the camera, Duvall ensured the lines remained hidden from the audience’s view.
The social media post caption read: “One of the most famous behind-the-scenes shots from THE GODFATHER (1972), Robert Duvall holding up Marlon Brando’s lines, mid-scene.”
The specific scene being filmed in the photograph remains unconfirmed, though speculation suggests it might be set shortly after the infamous horse’s head sequence in California, as the characters prepare for a meeting with Virgil Sollozzo (Al Lettieri).
This revealing image has also gained traction on Reddit previously, leaving numerous fans astonished and unaware of this unique filming technique.
Fan Reactions and Insights
Admiration for Brando’s Performance Despite Unconventional Methods
One commenter remarked, “That’s awesome. It’s well-known that Brando wouldn’t memorize lines, and cue cards had to be held up off-camera, but that’s a whole different level.”
They added: “To Brando’s credit, while memorization wasn’t his forte, he still managed to give consistently remarkable performances while discreetly and imperceptibly glancing at the cards for his upcoming lines.”
Differing Perspectives on Brando’s Professionalism
Another person commented, “Great actor but quite a nightmare to work with, from what I’ve heard,” suggesting varied opinions on Brando’s on-set demeanor.
Script Changes as a Potential Factor
Accounts of Last-Minute Script Revisions
However, some suggest Brando’s reliance on cue cards might be partially attributed to frequent script alterations. A Reddit user cited excerpts from assistant producer Ira Zuckerman’s book, “The Godfather Journal,” detailing the filming process. Zuckerman reportedly noted constant last-minute script changes.
Impact of Script Changes on Line Memorization
An excerpt from the 28th day of filming in the book states: “Because script changes are made every day, cue cards are being prepared for Brando. Between takes now he often mouths his lines and walks through the action, trying to get the feel of the scene, while director and crew attend to technical problems.”
Further evidence from the 33rd day: “Last-minute script revisions of the scenes to be filmed today are still being typed; they are distributed immediately after lunch. Again, cue cards must be made for Brando as the changes are too numerous for him to commit to memory in the time available.”
Balancing Blame and Context
The Reddit user concluded, “I’m not saying that Brando is blame-free himself. There’s no mention in the book of any other actors needing cue cards. But the rewrites were also clearly a factor,” indicating a complex situation with multiple contributing elements to Brando’s line delivery approach during the filming of The Godfather.