John Cazale, he died so young. He was 42. And yet, ALL of his movies either won the best picture Oscar or were nominated. The Godfather, The Conversation, The Godfather Partt II, Dog Day Afternoon and The Deer Hunter. His filmography are all masterpieces.
give him the respect of giving him accurate respect, masterpiece of performances hell yes but the best picture oscar is based on too many aspects than a role
Somebody buy this interviewer a beer for being a remarkable listener, and show this to all other interviewers so they can learn how to ask well thought out questions that turn an interview into a conversation. Pure gold!
This was the normal means of conducting an interview not all that long ago. Somewhere along the way attention deficit fell in love with hyperactivity disorder.
Johnny Depp is like that too. I met him a bunch of times in '92-'93'. I worked across the street from The Viper Room. Got to talk to him a bit whenever he came in or when I'd run into him in the neighborhood. Very humble man. Would always wave to me if he was across the street and saw me. I hate seeing the stuff he's going through now.
Cazale was like the Jimi Hendrix of actors, he accomplished so much in so little amount of time and obviously the respect from great actors that he worked with.John elevated the players around him as well. Very under rated...Pacino is a class act and cool as hell .... interviewers should be more like this guy....let the subject speak....
What an amazing guy. I saw him once on a New York City Street, East 49th. We walked past each other looking at each other and I didn't know who it was at first. A few steps on I stopped and turned around and he was looking at me we both smiled, waved, then he walked into the building and I said wow that was Al Pacino. I'm still thrilled
He learned what not to do from John Travolta. Funny, John C was so understated and Pacino in some parts might overact. In some movies like Sea of Love it comes off great but not in some others. I won't mention them and get hate mail. OK - And Justice for All!
John Cazale starred in only 5 films in his short career. Three of them won best picture and the other two were nominated for best picture. Enough said.
H Yea, WITCHcraft. Dont be lead by these overpaid Satanists. Immense wealth and fame come with a hugh price tag. .ike your soul, your essence, your integrity. They ACT so perfectly, they don't even know themselves and never did.,
They filmed Dog Day Afternoon in my neighborhood. Every day after school I would go watch them filming. One day Al said hello to me & I was so star struck, I think I just smiled back. I'm in that crowd somewhere...
I don't know how that was possible. Not even nominated! Al didn't understand it either. Hell, not only nominated, but Cazale should've won the damned thing, esp for Dog Day! Talk about a robbery.
"you never knew when acting started with John" ..that's probably the best compliment to give an Actor! cuz if you can't tell "Reality from Fiction" then they've SUCCEDED!
It was such a blessing to see these two on stage in 1975. John Cazale dominated the stage in his scenes. He and Mr. Pacino were reaching the back rows with their energy.
John Cazale starred in so many great movies. The Godfather, The Godfather II, The Deer Hunter, Dog Day Afternoon and The Conversation. He died too soon, but what a legacy he left in cinema.
Lung cancer in 1978. Michael Cimino, the director of The Deer Hunter, re-worked the shooting schedule so they could film all of Cazale's scenes first. After he finished shooting his role, John Cazale died before the production was wrapped. Brilliant, sad, honest to the core and a real shame he died so young.
Every scene that John Cazale did in the "Godfather" films made those films (and the Corleone family) so much more REAL .... BECAUSE Fredo was weak, BECAUSE he was a screw-up, and Cazale brought that out so perfectly.
Most people say part II is better than the first one and John's performance is at the center of it all. It is utterly heartbreaking when Fredo confess his betray, the acting between Cazale and Pacino was pitch perfect. they weren't just two actors pretending to be related they felt like actual brothers.
1975, I went to NYC for the first time, I took two weeks vacation, I went to museums, parks, theaters etc... One night on my way back to the hotel, I saw Pacino walking down the street, he was talking to someone, I follow him from a distance. He was using his arms/hands to add to his conversation. I followed him all the way to some fancy restaurant, he went in and I went back to my the hotel, I was happy...Pacino in real life!!!...Love N.Y.
Marc Antony Driving?...I couldn't afford it,..I rode the subways and the buses, it was awesome,......a couple of times riding the train, I wound right 'behind' some nice looking 'gals'. One time the train was packed and a nice looking woman boarded up, she stood real close to me, I was behind her, we were real tight, we started to 'rub against each other a little bit', the train got to an exit, the doors opened and she left, I didn't follow her, (a friend of mine advised me not to pursue any woman when that situation happens),...It is just a 'release subway interlude', and that is it, you must just let it go,...she left and never looked back. N.Y,..a very interesting city.
040yeah I was 'chicken shit'......no balls!...no 'cojones'..intimidated by 'his majesty'. My favorite Pacino film?..'Serpico',..I always cry at the end,...Serpico and his dog, sitting at the docks waiting for a ship. Great musical score by Theodorakis.
gross, you sound like a real creep. She probably didn't look back cuz she wanted to get the hell away from the creepy perv who was rubbing against her. that is also known as harassment you pig
Watching this interview, I'm reminded how John Cazale often played losers. So did Robert Deniro with Travis Bickle, Rupert Pupkin. John's roles in The Conversation, Dog Day Afternoon, Deer Hunter and of course GF II reminds me that the loser role is somehow often more interesting than the winner role.
John was so a strong character actor yet managed to become part of the plot without distracting the story....always under the radar yet had a strong presence.....a true artist
Cazale is probably the best supporting actor in film history. He also happened to work with the best directors and actors and was in films that all won Oscars. The Conversation is probably his most under-rated film to most that focus on GF or Dog Day. John didn't have the leading man looks but was one of the best actors of his generation. Great actors like Al Pacino knew this, of course, so did his girlfriend, Meryl Streep. When Casale was dying of lung cancer, Deniro insisted he be in The Deer Hunter which was Casale's last film.
Such a heartfelt interview over his admiration & love for John Casale. Coming from AL,who is just astounding, gives it such a depth of feeling. John is missed. So grateful we still have our Al.
Mr. John Cazale. I was surprised he died when I first found him out on thee internet. First saw him on The Godfather and Dog Day Afternoon. Man, he was so good.
***** NorthEast United FC Yeah, a number of people, I think even Caan and DeNiro. The one greatest affected was Meryl Streep. She was engaged to John, and helped care for him in his dying days. Will not talk about John, much. I think it upsets her far too much.
John Cazale is certainly my favorite character actor! Never a lead, always supporting, but you never forgot his characters and always a powerful presence. It would have been amazing, not only had he lived but also continued working with Al throughout their careers
I see Al Pacino as he is right now and I hardly imagine him as a young Michael Corleone from The Godfather II, in there he was so dark and looked so ruthless, it is weird to imagine him like this as he is a very cool guy in real life. Amazing, legendary actor, for eternity.
We all tend to believe these iconic entertainers are in such a constant roll of fantasy, it results in a loss of real life-- a loss of reality-- a loss of heart and a connection to a person who inspired you as a friend. Al seems to have genuinely loved John C-- and still does. I lost several friends in our/their twenties-- But I lost a close friend when we were in our thirties-- I miss all of them-- but one in particular-- this friend made my jokes seem funnier-- we laughed harder-- I trusted him with my family-- I was older than him by 5 year, yet he taught me many things-- I thought he was going to be that cool "Uncle" to my kids-- you know the one that you look forward to his visits... We used to act out funny scenarios-- in our goofing around, evolved characters-- I swear they would have been great comedic movie scenes-- he called me on New Year's Eve-- I missed the call-- it was too loud-- he left me New Years well wish-- goofed on me a little bit- then said-- love ya Bud. Then he died. I saved that voicemail. I'd love to share it with all of you just for you to hear what a kickass, and cool human he was-- you'd laugh. Anyway-- I like Pacino a little more now-- because I appreciate the love he has for his ole buddy-- that makes him human!!
In “Dog day afternoon” Cazale delivered the most convincing and saddest “no” of all times when Pacino asked him if there’s anyone he want’s to say good bye to.
Exactly what I was thinking. When he does the promotional tour on the talk shows, he's nothing like this. He's floating above it all, coasting, just disguising himself as the persona the audience expects, giving as little away as possible. I can understand why. He doesn't belong to us.
Al Pacino is one in-depth classy guy. This is a great documentary about John Cazale. After hearing Al speak you could almost feel you knew John Cazale personally. This was a wonderful heartful complimentary tribute. Many thanks for the posting
Wonderful interview. How different this is from the canned responses we would have got had the interviewer been of lesser caliber. The interviewer through his questions and comments put Al "in there" inhabiting the past, the craft; kindling once again the dynamics that enlivened that most human relationship between Al and John; wonderfully allowing us to see glimpses of the lived past and hear once again the echoes of Cazale's long silenced humanity. Bravo, interviewer.
John, Pacino is a good actor, but did you ever hear of Sir Lawrence Olivier, John Hurt, or Philip Seymour Hoffman? ;) But, hey, I do think Al has greatness, for sure!
Nah, Brando. Brando was 50 dif ppl in one person. Pacino is like 35 dif ppl. We dont really have actors like these guys anmore. Gary Oldman is on their level as well, and ofcourse Robert Deniro n Denzel Washington. These guys are able to be brand new human beings.
When he was talking about John at the end and when he came up to Al and congratulated him. Als verbal response about John was exactly how John would say it.
John Cazale is the only actor in Hollywood with a perfect filmography, all five important _key_ 70s movies. 2020 update: I just realized there was another actor with a short and perfect filmography: the very regretted and equally talented James Dean with East of Eden, Rebel Without A Cause and Giant.
I really noticed a change in Pacino's acting style after John Cazale died. He went from restrained and cerebral roles to out of control hyper roles you see in Devil's Advocate. Shortly after Cazale died, he did Scarface which was the intro to his transformation IMHO.
He acted in FIVE films that eventually all won Oscars.Thus as a result John Cazale had 100% 'success' film record. Fantastic actor. Criminally under rated talent and still passes the 'time test' every time you see any of those films The Conversation, The Deer Hunter,The Godfather1+2, Dog Day Afternoon. Classic movies and John Cazale was a classic actor. Thanks for this video,by the way to hear a genius like AL describing the 'genius' of a fellow actor/friend, and why he admired him so much,it is a great tribute and explains why Cazale was picked for the roles in the first place.
You either get it, or you don't. Envy has no place(or effect for that matter) for someone who is able to communicate his deep love and admiration of a fellow artist and friend.
+Veronikah Kucsera Ask him. He might've had some talent early on, but he became a great actor due to his training. He will tell you that. From Strasberg and the actor's studio
+Veronikah Kucsera Ask him. He might've had some talent early on, but he became a great actor due to his training. He will tell you that. From Strasberg and the actor's studio
He makes me so entertained in every show or movie he's in a love his charectors and how he portray's them. He's faultless in a scent of a woman, I could watch that over and ever and still get the same lift. Hes the best ever.
Thank you so much for this interview. I wish there are more videos with Al Pacino. He was definitely a good friend to John Cázale, and viceversa. I have always like Al Pacino, and after listening talk about his friend and to see how much his passing still affects him, I like him even more. He’s the real thing.
One thing i love about these kinda interviews i never knew him and John Cazale.were that close also never knew he was like mentor to him agree with Pacino he was robbed at least twice for godfather' part 2 and dog day a nomination was much deserved if you ask me but Hollywood always seems to get it wrong if you ask me.
DOG DAY AFTERNOON always played on the local NYC TV station when I was a kid. My brother and I loved that movie-- we always looked forward to it being aired. It's my all-time favorite movie to this day. (Watched it twice this week!) Four out of five of John Cazale's movies are in my top 50 favorite movies of all time. He was a perfect foil to Gene Hackman's crazy serious character in THE CONVERSATION. But Sal was my favorite Cazale character. "Wyoming". Haha! Best improvised line ever. And the way he delivered the line! Aaah. DOG DAY... great movie!!! Of course, I loved Fredo, too! Poor Fredo.
You have great tastes in film, young lady. :-) My fave DDA line, other than the one you mentioned and "Attica, Attica!!": "Oh don't worry -- we'll 'take care' of Sal" Tragically foreshadowing, but brilliant. The NYPD were smart enough to know that Sal was by far the greater threat, since he wasn't the sharpest tool in the shed and had that "stone-cold killer with nothing to lose" demeanor
+Sharky165 First of all, thanks for the "young lady" compliment! Haha! Been a long time... I do love films, that's for sure. I'm currently reading Sidney Lumet's MAKING MOVIES. Extraordinary. I hadn't realized until I read Sidney's filmography that I've seen 15 of his films. I thought I'd seen about 5 tops. Great book. If you haven't already, I highly recommend the read. No gossip. All about film from the script to the screen. :)
A lot of people do not get that the supporting actors, those folks who you may recognize but you don't know their names, are very important to movies and televisions. Not everyone in a movie can be the lead actor.
That is THE aim of acting in terms of occupation. At the end of the day, every person making the project happen are coworkers like any other job, and those who are best at it are the ones with the agility and humility to play the foreground and the background equally. Well said cloudform.
You have no idea how right you are,Cloud. Really. I remember reading once that Lou Costello of Abbot and Costello comedic team had said that he didnt think his partner Bud Abbot deserved whatever they paid him. And in real life he treated him like a hired hand. They were not even on talking terms because of that little fat f*ck's ego. And I rememeber reading the article that appeared in over 30 yrs ago and saying to myself about Costello...."You stupid jack-ass. Yes it is true you get 90% of the laughs. But did you ever think its because your partner asked just the right questions at just the right time. And that maybe you would not even have made it if it wasnt for your partner. " Does anyone remember any movies that pompous little ass ever made by himself? No! See,,,,some people do not understand cloud, that life is often a cruel illusion. It looks like one person on the TV show is the big star, the big presence, and maybe he is....but is it the person who gets star billing or.....the guy he gets to bounce his lines off of. If you look at Abbot and Costello you can see Abbott was a genius at allowing Costello to MAKE a fool of himself so easy.Take the show the Sopranos. Yes, James Gandolfi was good in that role, but without Paulie, Silvio and the supporting cast that fit him like a glove....no way he wins an Emmy! Look at Don Johnson and his partner,I cant rmember his name from Miami Vice. As soon as Don took over as director and cut his partners speaking role which was only about 1/3 of his or less anyway and he cut it down to almost nothing....the show went from #1 in the country by the 4th season to off the air I think by the 6th at latest. Some people do not realize they are the amplifier.Its the quiet guy in the back who holds the juice/electricity. Would you sware that Steve Jobs would have ever been more than an unbathed(which he was) scummy dressing college drop out if it wasnt for Wazniak his partner who if you saw steves autobiography in the movies it was so touching to see that it was Waz who saved him from himself and eventually walked away because Steve made the co. all about Steve. Few know this. Few know that we lost the greastest jazz singer alive Billie Holiday because the people in "her" background were so f-ing greedy when she would cry how tired she is,theyd say, just another few weeks, your on top, you xcant rest, keep going, you can do it and eventually she did do it...she OD e'd. Colonel Parker did it to his son Elvis Presley. He buried his own son! Elvis was gaining weight and working 3 shows a night in vegas for years before he died sitting on the toilet.(I suspect it was that his painkillers he used as downers constipated him so bad he ruptured his colon. And nobody saw for years he was taking 40 min to move his bowels. Nobody picked up the slurred speech? Igo on record and say, I would trade my own father for John Cazale just on what Pacino said about him. Did you see for a sec he almost cried remembering him? I'd love to have a guy like Al for a dad too if I could. What an understanding creative man he would be if he had kids. Where are people like John and Al pacino in this world anymore? Why dont these gifted people get into politics and change the world instead of this meaningless shit. Im just saying, some actors should be actors and they give us so much enjoyment. But some are just 2 steps ahead of the rest of the planet...like John and Al Pacino. And its only now I'm even hearing what kind of man John Cazale was. Bet nobody outside hollywood knew. I have to see if Pacino made any more interviews like this. This was amazing. Sad that 2/3 of the people wont appreciate it for what it really is.
There is a user that does a lot of videos about bacground actors like Ann Ramsey and the ghost that teaches Sam Wheat It's a great channel but I blank out
I really think John took the character actor to the next level. The same way Pacino, DeNiro, Hoffman, and Nicholson took the leading man to a different level.
I have always though that John Cazale was just plain awesome. I fell that he (Because of the weakness of Fredo never really got his props. His role in GF2 was nothing short of amazing. A great actor and from what I hear, a great human being.
I love the thought of John Cazale. I love his line about Wyoming in Dog Day Afternoon. He was taken too soon. Miss him so much. He seemed like a humble, good person.
Thank you for posting this insightful and touching interview. The love and admiration Al had for John couldn’t be more evident. It brought tears to my eyes.
Al Pacino knows who was his acting mentor was and gives credit where it is due. If it wasn’t for cancer John Cazele would be household name and he and Meryl would be Hollywood royalty...
@ Michael L Definitely! By no coincidence, all 5 movies Cazale appeared in were either nominated for best picture Oscar or actually won the award. His acting was truly genius. Cazale never forced his character upon the audience, he instead drew the audience into his character. Very few actors have mastered this particular proficiency. Brando, Spencer Tracy, and Gene Hackman are great as well. As many times as I’ve seen The Godfather, I never for a moment saw Fredo as a character in the movie. Fredo was always Fredo, never Cazale. Truly a brilliant talent. Cheers!
This came up on my recommend videos today, the 13 March. It’s strange because this the same day John Cazale died 43 years ago. I wonder why that happened. RU-vid works in mysterious ways.
This incredible guy is still mentally fresh, open, concious and sensitive like at 2o years of age. Plus humility, remembrance and respect for others.... And this is why I always liked Al. Greetings from Poland
I’m embarrassed that I didn’t know who they were talking about. After I googled him and saw his picture, I knew exactly who he was! He was a top notch actor. Great interview here - thanks for posting this!
Mr. Pacino, I feel, is a humble, genourous and good man who likes talking about anyone but himself. A true star of the older Hollywood class. He would be a good friend. A wonderful interview.
He is so humble, in public platforms, in interviews wherever I saw him, he has so much humility in himself. Such a legend! I guess the fact that he is so grounded makes him what he is!
John Cazale was a brilliant actor and legend in movie making! He acted in very few films but all his performances are amazing and remembered vividly. I would have loved to have seen him in a Casavettes film. What Scorsese would have done with him also would have been amazing. He died to soon and we lost a truly talented actor! RIP John Cazale.
What's not to love about Al Pacino? If only we had more like him. Always totally centred with whomever he is talking to. It is amazing how many people aren't. If you want to be an interesting person....take a generous interest in others. QED Pacino. Grounded, oodles of personality....and oodles of humility to go with it. Top, top fella!
