Al Pacino, with over 30 years of experience in the industry, reminisces about his time working on the iconic film that defined his career, The Godfather. The seasoned actor opens up about the challenges he faced while shooting Francis Ford Coppola’s masterpiece, admitting to feeling drained and overwhelmed in the early days of production.
In a candid conversation on the Conan O’Brien Needs a Friend podcast, Pacino candidly shares an incident where he injured himself on set. Surprisingly, instead of lamenting his misfortune, he saw it as a cosmic signal to bow out gracefully from the project.
Reflecting on his initial days on set, Pacino reveals the intense pressure he felt from the director and production team, leaving him contemplating an exit strategy. Describing a particularly demanding scene to the podcast host, he humorously recalls the lack of a stuntman and jests about the possibility of being written off the film due to an injury.
The actor recounts a moment of relief when he suffered an ankle injury while attempting a risky stunt. His initial reaction was gratitude, thanking a higher power for potentially freeing him from the film. However, to his dismay, the injury turned out to be minor, and he was back on his feet after a day of rest, persevering through the grueling shoot.
Despite the challenges faced during filming, The Godfather emerged as a cinematic masterpiece, solidifying its place in Hollywood history. The film received critical acclaim, earning 10 Academy Award nominations and securing 3 wins. Al Pacino’s performance in the iconic movie also garnered him a well-deserved nomination, further cementing his place as a Hollywood legend.
