The Godfather (1972): 20 Weird Facts You Didn’t Know!

The Godfather (1972) is widely regarded as one of the greatest films ever made, but behind its cinematic perfection lies a treasure trove of bizarre, shocking, and little-known stories. From Marlon Brando’s eccentric behavior to real-life mafia interference, here are 20 weird facts you probably didn’t know about The Godfather.

1. Marlon Brando Put Horse Head “Stuffing” in His Mouth

The infamous horse head scene (where Jack Woltz wakes up next to a severed head) used a real prop from a dog food company. To make his reaction genuine, Brando stuffed his mouth with Kosher beef to mimic disgust—though some claim it was cotton.

2. The Cat in Vito Corleone’s Lap Was Improvised

Brando’s iconic opening scene, where he strokes a cat while delivering threats, was unscripted. The stray cat wandered on set, and Brando kept petting it. Director Francis Ford Coppola loved it and kept it in the film.

3. Al Pacino Was Almost Fired

Studio executives hated Al Pacino’s screen tests, calling him “too short” and “not star material.” Coppola fought to keep him, threatening to quit. The rest, as they say, is history.

4. Real-Life Mobsters Were Extras

To ensure authenticity, Coppola hired real gangsters as extras. Some even gave unsolicited advice, like insisting no Italian would ever say, “I’ll make him an offer he can’t refuse.”

5. The Studio Wanted Laurence Olivier as Vito Corleone

Paramount initially wanted Laurence Olivier or Ernest Borgnine for Vito. Brando had to tape his audition with shoe polish in his hair to convince them.

6. James Caan Improvised the Baseball Bat Scene

Sonny’s violent attack on Carlo was mostly improvised. Caan broke two of Gianni Russo’s ribs during filming.

7. Frank Sinatra Hated the Movie

Sinatra, rumored to have mob ties, publicly trashed the film, fearing it glorified the Mafia. He allegedly threatened Mario Puzo (author of the novel) at a restaurant.

8. The Wedding Scene Used Real Food

The 45-minute opening wedding sequence featured real Italian food, including 120 gallons of wine. Many extras got drunk, forcing multiple retakes.

9. The Word “Mafia” Is Never Said

Despite being a Mafia epic, the word “mafia” is never uttered—likely to avoid offending real mobsters.

10. The Godfather Saved Paramount from Bankruptcy

The studio was on the verge of collapse before The Godfather’s massive success ($250M+ box office).

11. Brando’s Oscar Snub

Brando won Best Actor but sent Sacheen Littlefeather to decline it, protesting Hollywood’s treatment of Native Americans.

12. The Famous “Puppet Strings” Line Was Ad-Libbed

When Michael says, “My father is no different than any powerful man,” the “puppet strings” line was improvised by Pacino.

13. Diane Keaton Hated Her Role

Keaton (Kay Adams) despised her character, calling her “weak and boring.” She only took it for career exposure.

14. The Studio Cut 30 Minutes—Then Regretted It

Paramount forced Coppola to trim 30 minutes, including a subplot about Johnny Fontane (Sinatra’s rumored inspiration).

15. The Horse Head Was Real

The prop team used a real decapitated horse head from a dog food supplier. The actor’s scream? 100% genuine horror.

16. Coppola Almost Got Fired Multiple Times

Executives threatened to fire Coppola daily, even considering replacements like Sergio Leone (The Good, the Bad and the Ugly).

17. The Famous “Orange” Death Omen

Every character who dies is seen near oranges—a subtle foreshadowing trick.

18. The Script Was Rewritten Daily

Coppola and Puzo constantly rewrote scenes, sometimes handing actors new lines minutes before filming.

19. Robert De Niro Auditioned for Sonny

Before landing The Godfather Part II, De Niro tried out for Sonny Corleone.

20. The Mafia Tried to Stop the Film

Real mobsters threatened Paramount, demanding script changes to avoid “defamation.”

Social Media Reactions & Video

Fans still debate these wild facts. Check out this behind-the-scenes documentary clip for more:
The Godfather Behind the Scenes Secrets

Twitter user @CinemaLover42 tweeted:

“The Godfather’s behind-the-scenes drama is crazier than the movie itself!”

Conclusion

From Brando’s antics to real mob interference, The Godfather’s production was as intense as the film itself. Which fact shocked you the most? Share your thoughts below!

Want more? Dive into The Godfather Part II’s secrets next!