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The Godfatheris arguably one of cinema’s most influential and important films. Directed by Francis Ford Coppola, the film based on Mario Puzo’s eponymous best-selling novel is considered one of the best movies of all time nearly four decades after its release. One of the most shocking and iconic scenes inThe Godfatherfeatures the Corleone family intimidating producer Jack Woltz by sending him the severed head of his prized horse.
While filming the scene, director Francis Ford Coppola utilized the real head of a deceased horse. As a result, John Marley, the actor playing Jack Woltz, was truly terrified while filming the scene, resulting in one of the movie’s most shocking moments and dark moments. However, Coppola has also explained the real reason behind his demand for a real horse’s head to film the scene inThe Godfather.
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Francis Ford Coppola Used a Real Horse Head inThe Godfather
InThe Godfather, the Corleone family, headed by patriarchMarlon Brandoas Vito Corleone, intimidates Hollywood producer Jack Woltz into doing their bidding. When Woltz initially refuses to listen to the Corleone family, he finds the severed and bloodied head of his prized stallion in his bed. The horrific scene demonstrates the brutality of the Corleone family, and directorFrancis Ford Coppolawanted the head of an actual horse to capture the moment on camera.
During the DVD commentary forThe Godfather, Coppola stated that he was unsatisfied with the prop horse heads made to film the scene. As a result, he resorted to using the real head of a deceased horse acquired from a slaughterhouse. Coppola had his art director scout New York City’s slaughterhouses since horses were often killed to make dog food. The art director found a horse that resembled the horse inThe Godfatherand asked for the head to be delivered when that horse was slaughtered.
“But we got the head packed in dry ice from a dog food company after the horse had already been slaughtered.”
In the DVD commentary, Coppola also revealed that the realism of the deceased horse’s head resulted in the production team receiving complaints from animal lovers. However, Coppola later clarified that the horse was not killed particularly for filming the movie. Ultimately, Coppola resorted to using a real horse’s head only when he could not achieve the desired result with a prop.
Also Read:“I walked into the camera and knocked it down”: The Godfather Director Was Against Casting His Sister Alongside Marlon Brando for One Reason Only to Be Proved Spectacularly Wrong
John Marley Was Terrified While Filming the Horse Head Scene inThe Godfather
InThe Godfather, actor John Marley plays Jack Woltz, who is on the receiving end of the Corleone family’s ire. While filming the infamous horse head scene, Marley was entirely unaware that a real horse’s severed head would be placed inside his bed. Furthermore, Francis Ford Coppola used a prop head for rehearsals but replaced it with a real horse’s cutoff head on the day of filming. As a result, Marley’s agonizing screams in the film are very much real.
During an appearance onThe Dick Cavett Showin 1972, Marley opened up about how the scene terrified him. Marleyrecountedthat he is reacting to the severed head as a character in the movie. However, upon reflecting on the scene and hearing the audience’s reaction, he realized its gruesome nature. Marley stated that he gets a terrible reaction when thinking of the scene and its ugly nature and expressed a desire to erase it from his memory.
Also Read:Insane Story Behind The Cat On Marlon Brando’s Lap During One Of The Most Iconic Scenes From The Godfather Will Make Your Day
Pratik Handore
Content Writer
Articles Published :1772
With a keen interest in comic book movies and blockbuster franchises, Pratik usually covers news and updates on the DCU, MCU, Star Wars, and more.A die-hard fan of George Lucas and Steven Spielberg, Pratik spends most of his time exploring different storytelling mediums that invoke a sense of wonder and adventure. Other filmmakers whose works have deeply influenced him include Alfred Hitchcock, James Gunn, and Guillermo del Toro.
