Al Pacino has revealed that he avoided watching The Godfather in its entirety for half a century. The 1972 classic, directed by Francis Ford Coppola, starred Pacino as Michael Corleone, the reluctant heir to a mafia empire who ultimately takes over the family business. Widely regarded as one of the greatest films of all time, The Godfather earned Pacino an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor. Despite its acclaim, Pacino stayed away from watching the film until its 50th anniversary.
In his memoir Sonny Boy (via Entertainment Weekly), Pacino shared that although he attended the movie’s premiere at the Loew’s State Theatre in Times Square, he left before the film began. Reflecting on that night, he wrote:
“I went to The Godfather premiere at the Loew’s State Theatre in Times Square wearing a bow tie the size of my head. I only remember standing on a platform with my co-stars, being asked questions by the press that I couldn’t answer. Then we got in our seats, but I didn’t watch the movie. I didn’t want to see the finished product. As soon as the lights went out, I went out.”
Why Pacino Avoided Watching the Film
Pacino explained that his reluctance stemmed from a discomfort with watching himself on-screen alongside an audience. “I could never watch myself on-screen while other people were watching me,” he admitted. “It was a bit disconcerting and it made me shy, almost embarrassed. As a younger actor, I guess I needed attention and didn’t want it at the same time.”
Even in the years following the release of The Godfather, Pacino avoided seeing the film in full. “I almost went my whole life without ever seeing The Godfather in its entirety,” he shared. “Maybe I felt that because I was in it, I wouldn’t be a good audience for it. Over the years, of course, I’d catch a part of it here or there on TV, and once you’re watching it, it’s hard to turn off.”
Revisiting The Godfather After 50 Years
Pacino’s perspective eventually changed, and he finally watched The Godfather during its 50th-anniversary screening at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood. Reflecting on the experience, he wrote:
“I recently watched The Godfather at a screening for its fiftieth anniversary at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, where a restored print was beautifully projected, with crisp, perfect sound. The whole experience was uplifting. There’s not a scene in the film where there aren’t two or three things going on. There’s not a dull moment in it; it’s constantly telling a story. There was so much I was struck by.”
Insights into His Performance
In Sonny Boy, Pacino also discussed his insecurities while filming The Godfather. Early in production, Coppola expressed dissatisfaction with his performance, which led Pacino to doubt his place in the film. He even hoped that an injury he sustained on set might give him an excuse to leave. Instead, he used the feedback to refine his portrayal of Michael Corleone, layering the character’s complexity as the story progressed.
Interestingly, Pacino’s avoidance of the film may have influenced his portrayal of Michael in the sequels. Without a clear memory of his original performance, Pacino was able to evolve Michael organically, reflecting the character’s growth and inner turmoil rather than replicating past choices.
A New Appreciation
Pacino’s eventual viewing of The Godfather allowed him to appreciate its craftsmanship from a fresh perspective. His reflections on the film and his performance underscore the depth of his contribution to one of cinema’s most iconic characters and offer fans a deeper understanding of his journey as an actor.