The director Marlon Brando was ready to murder: “I really want to kill him”
Marlon Brando is one of the most internationally renowned actors to ever walk this planet, becoming both feared and loved for his portrayal of brutal characters in The Godfather, Apocalypse Now and A Streetcar Named Desire.
Over the years, he built a vast and dynamic list of on-screen credits through his work with directors like Francis Ford Coppola, Bernardo Bertolucci, Elia Kazan and Joseph L Mankiewicz, becoming notorious for his methodical and deeply committed approach to his craft, sometimes leading to odd real-life moments as he somewhat struggled to differentiate between his characters and genuine self.
However, while he was involved in many bizarre and troubling productions, such as the infamous jungle shoot on Coppola’s demanding war drama or the horrible sex scenes in Last Tango in Paris, the actor was very open about his difficulties with one director in particular — a collaborator who sparked some less-than-kind thoughts.
The mishaps and catastrophes on the set of Apocalypse Now have meant that the film has gone down in history as one of the most troubling shoots of all time. Books and documentaries have been written about the many dramas that plagued the fateful project, but for Brando, it was by no means his most chaotic professional experience.
The actor found himself in hot waters after working with Gillo Pontecorvo in 1969 on a film called Burn!, which follows a professional mercenary who instigates a slave revolt on the Caribbean island of Queimada. However, years later, he is sent to deal with the same rebels after they have seized too much power. Despite having a resonant core that warns about the evils of colonialism and greed, it is one of the lesser-known films from his body of work.
Even though it resulted in a solid picture, Brando found the set itself infuriating to be on, describing his issues with Pontecorvo and the logistical challenges of the shoot itself. Brando described how they shot in the sweltering heat of Colombia, finding himself at odds with the Italians and angered by the way they were treating their Black co-stars and crew, who were paid significantly less than their white counterparts and living in slum-like facilities. The acclaimed actor was overheard saying, “I want to kill Gillo. I really want to kill him.” When asked why this was, he said, “Because he has no fucking feelings for people.”
While Brando has sparked some controversies over the years, he often stuck to his values and spoke against some of the traditions and toxic practices in the film industry. His refusal to accept his Oscar is one of the most obvious examples of this, doing so in order to protest Hollywood’s depiction of Native Americans and to highlight the Wounded Knee occupation.
His boycott of the prestigious award became one of the most infamous moments in the ceremony’s history. However, his advocacy for equal pay and better working conditions during the production of Burn! also demonstrates his passion for parity and how he often tried to use his power for the better.
