Robert Duvall & James Caan on The Godfather, Acting, and Life (1996) | Film Discussion

Video Description

Two of Hollywood’s most iconic actors, Robert Duvall and James Caan, sit down with Charlie Rose for a rare and insightful interview about their lives, careers, and legendary roles in The Godfather, Apocalypse Now, Lonesome Dove, and more on July 4th, 1996. Robert Duvall reflects on his early days at the Neighborhood Playhouse, working with Francis Ford Coppola, and his love for horses and tango. James Caan discusses growing up in Queens, his football dreams, missteps in Hollywood, and his unforgettable roles alongside Al Pacino and Marlon Brando. 00:00 - Intro: From Bloomberg Studios, NYC 00:20 - Robert Duvall’s Early Acting Days & First Roles 02:30 - The Godfather, Coppola, and Becoming a Star 05:00 - Sanford Meisner, Improvisation & Acting Philosophy 07:00 - Why Duvall Passed on Godfather III 08:30 - Working on Apocalypse Now 10:00 - Playing Stalin & Eichmann: Portraying Evil 12:00 - Lonesome Dove & Building a Legacy 14:00 - Hobbies & Obsessions: Horses, Tango, Tennis 20:00 - James Caan’s Childhood, Football, & Acting Shift 24:00 - How Caan Was Cast in The Godfather 30:00 - Improv with Brando, Luca Brasi’s Speech 35:00 - Turning Down Iconic Roles (Apocalypse Now, Kramer) 40:00 - Misery, Comebacks & Coaching Kids 44:00 - Working with Arnold in *Eraser* 48:00 - Reflections on Career & Hollywood Life 👉 Highlights include: Behind-the-scenes stories from The Godfather Working with Coppola, Brando, and Pacino Duvall’s most personal role in Lonesome Dove Caan on turning down Apocalypse Now and Kramer vs. Kramer What makes a great actor and a great film The art of improvisation in performance 🕰️ Originally aired on Bloomberg/Charlie Rose 📺 Subscribe to Film Discussion for more rare interviews: https://www.youtube.com/@UC-qqLQb47WNUXk_TIdwWDUA 🎙️ Full archive playlist: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sv5QJW8Kqtg&list=PLxpn7VtUja2beJwP4kb0Eq56GEaPhySh_ Film Discussion is a curated interview archive and conversation series presented by Occupy Cinema. We spotlight the minds behind the movies—actors, directors, writers, and cultural critics—through thoughtful interviews, archival footage, and contemporary conversations. From Broadway to global cinema, Film Discussion explores the craft, politics, and impact of storytelling on screen and stage. Join our community of 800+ filmmakers: https://occupy.beehiiv.com/subscribe Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/filmdiscussion_ Facebook: http://facebook.com/filmdiscussionofficial Thank you for your ongoing support: https://buymeacoffee.com/filmdiscussion #FilmDiscussion #robertduvall #jamescaan