Why The Godfather’s Horse’s Head Scene Is So Effective
Coppola’s Adaptation Maximizes The Tension Before Its Brutal Reveal
As the camera creeps into the producer’s lavish bedroom, the patient framing makes the growing tension almost unbearable. The jangling, incessant score ramps up the uncertainty further, adding a playful element of dark humor to proceedings. When the big reveal finally happens, Coppola stays with Woltz’s horrified screaming just a moment longer than viewers expect, resulting in a uniquely disquieting scene. This sort of attention to detail explains how The Godfather’s Marlon Brando pulled off playing an aging mafia don at only 47. The Godfather’s impeccable artistry allowed Coppola’s gangster saga to smooth over an array of production problems.