For James Caan, “The Godfather” remains the don of all movies five decades after its premiere.
The actor, who provided some of the most memorable movie moments in history through his portrayal of quick-tempered Sonny Corleone, never considered how big “The Godfather” would become while he was shooting the Oscar-winning mobster film directed by Francis Ford Coppola.
But as “The Godfather” celebrates its 50th anniversary, Caan’s still glad Coppola made him an offer he couldn’t refuse: to join a mob of movie masters making the one of the greatest films of all time.
“Francis’ genius was not just in directing that film. It was gathering a group of experts who became the experts,” Caan told the Daily News, praising the movie’s cinematographer, sound editor and all-star cast.
“The story, there were a lot of angles in it that had to touch one of us in the audience,” Caan said. “Some could have said, ‘Wow, that was a really strong (story) about the family.’ Somebody else could’ve said, ‘See how that works as a gangster?’ ... Whatever it was, there was enough out there to interest somebody, no matter what they did for a living.”
Originally released on March 24, 1972, restored versions of the three “Godfather” films will become available on 4K Ultra HD for the first time on March 22.
Caan, 81, says sharing laughs with the cast and crew was a highlight as they made the movie about New York crime boss Don Vito Corleone, played by Marlon Brando, and the transformation of his youngest son, Al Pacino’s Michael, from war veteran to ruthless mafioso.
The actor also recalls the intense moments on set, including filming the brutal death of Sonny, who was gunned down by rival gangsters at a highway toll plaza.
“What I remember most was, ‘Wow, I didn’t know I could be that frightened.’ They had bullets all over the place,” Caan said of the scene. “I had 147 squibs on my body and in my jacket. ... Pretty loud squibs, too.”
“It went all over the place, parts of my suit,” Caan said. “It was pretty hairy, and I was very happy to be done with it.”
Despite his character’s early death, Caan believes Sonny emerged as a fan favorite because he “wore his heart on his sleeve” and served as his family’s “keeper of peace by being violent.”
Caan, who was born in the Bronx and grew up in Queens, says he’s grateful Coppola trusted him to bring his own interpretation to Sonny, the don’s eldest son, including in the iconic scene where the character beats up his sister’s abusive husband, Carlo, using his fists and a trash can.
“He let me go, because I came from the neighborhood that he was writing about. ... He left ‘bada bing’ and all of that, the way I spoke, and throwing the money on the street,” Caan said. “If you broke anything, it was OK, as long as you paid for it. All of that stuff is what I grew up with. Not everyone was Sonny Corleone, but I mean, that’s the way people were.”
Based on Mario Puzo’s 1969 “The Godfather” novel, the film won Oscars for best picture, best adapted screenplay and best actor for Brando, while Caan earned a nomination for best supporting actor.
Caan now laughs about being surprised to learn at the movie’s premiere that Coppola cut a 10-page scene involving his character.
“This is a good opportunity to admit to the world, to everybody, what a ridiculous person I am. ... When [Michael is] going to kill the cop, before that, there was a big scene that Francis cut, and I was just infuriated, so when we went down to the party after the screening, at the hotel, I didn’t even want to talk to Francis,” Caan recalled with a big chuckle. “I just say I’m a selfish son of a gun.”
Caan applauds Coppola for knowing “so much, and in detail, about lighting and sound and acting,” and believes “The Godfather” had the perfect combination of cast members and filmmakers for people to consider it the best movie of all time.
“I want to know who doesn’t,” Caan joked. “I want to go after them.”
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