Thomas W. Hodgkinson

Film’s most unforgettable scene

Fifty years after The Godfather's première, Thomas W. Hodgkinson traces the horror of the head in the bed

Robert Duvall (Tom Hagen) and John Marley (Jack Woltz) with the racehorse Khartoum. Credit: TCD/Prod.db/Alamy Stock Photo 
issue 12 March 2022

The actor never knew they would use a real horse’s head. This was May 1971 and John Marley was preparing to perform in the most infamous scene in The Godfather, playing the corrupt movie producer who wakes up to find a horse’s head in his bed. Reportedly, Marley assumed this would just be a plastic prop.

GIF Image

Disagree with half of it, enjoy reading all of it

TRY 3 MONTHS FOR $5
Our magazine articles are for subscribers only. Start your 3-month trial today for just $5 and subscribe to more than one view

Comments

Join the debate for just £1 a month

Be part of the conversation with other Spectator readers by getting your first three months for £3.

Already a subscriber? Log in