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10 THINGS TO KNOW
GODFATHER@50:
THE
Hollywood classic The Godfather was released 50 years ago on March 14, 1972
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The film has been re-released this year. To celebrate, here are 10 things only a true fan would know
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Marlon Brando was almost not cast as Don Corleone – Paramount studio wanted Laurence Olivier
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The studio didn't want Al Pacino to play Michael either, favouring Robert Redford and Ryan O'Neal
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Francis Ford Coppola didn't want to direct, signing up only reluctantly…
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…when he did, Paramount threatened to fire him over the film's period setting
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Coppola's sister Talia Shire played Connie Corleone, his dad Carmine composed parts of the score
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Robert De Niro auditioned to play Sonny – James Caan won the role but De Niro was cast in the sequel
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The word ‘mafia' is never mentioned in the film, thanks to threats from real crime bosses
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The infamous horse head in a bed scene featured a real horse's head
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The wedding scene was free-acted by the cast and Coppola shot most if it guerrilla-style
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Marlon Brando won a Best Actor Oscar which he rejected, sending a Native American actress to turn it down in his stead
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