The only movie Al Pacino needed to watch twice in a row: “I had never seen the likes of it”
The New Hollywood era was a defining moment in Al Pacino’s life, whose career quickly skyrocketed as American cinema started to dramatically shift into a new period of experimentation. Following roles in Me, Natalie and The Panic in Needle Park, the actor landed a role that would change his life, playing Michael Corleone in The Godfather.
His performance in Francis Ford Coppola’s epic gangster movie was highly acclaimed, and it allowed him to become one of the most coveted stars of his generation. It was a big moment for the young actor, who was afforded the privilege of working with one of his cinematic idols on the film. Of course, Pacino was bowled over to be starring alongside Marlon Brando, feeling rather nervous at the idea of sharing the screen with him.
The actor had appeared in many movies before then, which inspired Pacino to become a performer, and he couldn’t quite believe that he was finally on the same bill as him, and so early into his career, too. Pacino had grown up watching Brando movies, and there was one he had adored so much that he desired to watch it again as soon as the credits had finished rolling.
“There’s no doubt every time I see Brando that I’m looking at a great actor. Whether he’s doing great acting or not, you’re seeing somebody who is in the tradition of a great actor. What he does with it, that’s something else, but he’s got it all,” he explained (via Al Pacino in Conversation with Lawrence Grobel). “The talent, the instrument is there, that’s why he has endured. I remember when I first saw On the Waterfront. I had to see it again, right there. I couldn’t move, I couldn’t leave the theater. I had never seen the likes of it. I couldn’t believe it.”
On the Waterfront was released in 1954 when Pacino was just 14, but it clearly left an impact on him. Directed by Elia Kazan, who had previously worked with Brando on the iconic A Streetcar Named Desire a few years prior, the movie is frequently heralded as one of the most unforgettable works of cinema, with Brando’s performance also receiving endless praise. For many actors, Brando’s performance in the film has become somewhat of a benchmark in terms of quality, one which they continually look back to for inspiration.
It seems like Pacino is no exception. In his book, Sonny Boy, the actor revealed how intimidated he was by the star when they began filming The Godfather. “I actually didn’t want to talk to him,” he wrote, adding, “He was the greatest living actor of our time. I grew up on actors like him — larger-than-life people like Clark Gable and Cary Grant.”
Pacino is one of the rare stars who has been lucky enough to work with someone as illustrious as Brando and walk away incredibly happy. Coppola’s film was widely praised as one of the greatest movies ever made, cementing Brando as an enduring cinema icon, while Pacino was able to rise to success, and who better to achieve this acclaim alongside than his hero?
