Al Pacino reaches is celebrating his 86th birthday tomorrow, having previously admitted he was convinced The Godfather would prove to be "the worst movie ever made" during its production.
The American star genuinely feared the 1972 crime epic would bring his acting career to a premature end.
Francis Ford Coppola's adaptation of Mario Puzo's bestselling 1969 novel assembled a remarkable cast including Marlon Brando, James Caan, Robert Duvall and Diane Keaton alongside Pacino.
Yet despite the talent involved, the young actor harboured serious doubts about the project's prospects during those early days of filming.
The star said he initially had doubts when making the movie
|GETTY
His misgivings were triggered by a chaotic day shooting the opening wedding sequence with co-star Diane Keaton.
According to his 2024 autobiography Sonny Boy and previous public statements, the pair left the set so thoroughly persuaded the film was destined for failure that they headed back to Manhattan and proceeded to drink heavily.
Pacino recalls the two of them declaring: "We're done, it's over! This is the worst film ever made!"
Compounding his troubles, executives at Paramount were actively questioning whether he was right for the role of Michael Corleone, openly discussing replacing him because they felt his performance lacked sufficient intensity.
The actor played Michael Corleone in the movie
|PARAMOUNT
The turning point arrived when Pacino filmed the now-iconic Italian restaurant sequence, in which Michael executes Sollozzo and McCluskey.
The raw intensity he brought to that pivotal moment transformed perceptions entirely.
Studio bosses who had been contemplating his removal were suddenly convinced they had made the right casting decision.
His commanding performance in that single scene secured his position in the production.
Rather than destroying his career as he had feared, the role catapulted Pacino to stardom and earned him an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor. The film itself evolved into what many consider a cinematic masterpiece.
The Godfather went on to claim three Academy Awards at the 45th Oscars ceremony, taking home Best Picture, Best Actor for Brando, and Best Adapted Screenplay.
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Don Vito Corleone is the head of the mafia family
|PARAMOUNT
As of 2026, the film occupies the number one position on Rotten Tomatoes' ranking of the greatest films ever made, whilst sitting in second place on IMDb's Top 250 list.
The American Film Institute has similarly recognised its enduring significance, placing it as the second-greatest American film in history, behind only Citizen Kane.
Critics continue to praise its flawless combination of storytelling, cinematography and direction, with Gordon Willis's atmospheric lighting and Nino Rota's memorable score receiving particular acclaim.
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