The Godfather horse head scene

My dad saw this film in cinema twice, first time in New York while working there during summer and second time when he was back home in Ireland. In Ireland he said the people in cinema gasped in horror, but in New York they all laughed.

Notice how Duvall doesn’t stop eating and drinking during Woltz’s speech, he knew he’d be leaving immediately after and wanted to finish his meal.

"He never asks a second favour, when he's been refused the first. Understood?" So badass.

$600,000 in 1945 is equal to $8,973,166 today. So in other words it was one hell of a statement when they killed his horse.

We all know Vito and Michael are smooth, but I think we all forget how smooth Tom is too.

"Jack Woltz" is obviously based on Harry Cohn, chief executive of Columbia Pictures. And known for his abrasive character. "Johnny Fontaine" is almost certainly meant to be Frank Sinatra. Who was well-known for his connections to the Mob. At the start of his singing career, Sinatra had a contract with band leader Tommy Dorsey. When Frankie became famous, he wanted out of the contract, and Dorsey refused. It's said that Ol' Blue Eyes got some of his Mafia friends to pay Dorsey a "visit". Dorsey ended up letting Frank out for $1. (In the movie, Woltz tells Tom "I ain't no band leader". Which references a similar scene in the movie). The "movie that will make him a big star", that Woltz refers to, was From Here to Eternity, which was being produced by Columbia. (That's "the new war film" that Tom mentions when meeting Woltz in an earlier scene). Sinatra's singing career was coming to an end, and he wanted to go into movies. He very much wanted to star in From Here to Eternity, but Cohn refused. The starlet that Woltz mentions is probably Eva Gardner, who was Harry Cohn's mistress, until she ran off with Sinatra. (That's why Woltz refers to "the olive oil voice" [meaning Sinatra] that stole his girl from him.) I don't know if Cohn ever ended-up with having his favorite horse decapitated. But it is true that Sinatra eventually got the part in the movie, against all odds. Of course, as they say in the credits at the end of every motion picture: "Any resemblance to persons living or dead...is purely coincidental". [wink]

Man, Tom is cold in this scene but Woltz’s acting during his monologue should be taught at all acting & film schools. You believe every word and he hits it perfectly. The anger during his rant, the horror after finding the horses head. The perfect juxtaposition from Tom’s calm, smooth delivery. Just an all around amazing scene with classic actors & unforgettable dialogue.

"You don't understand. Unless I find a severed horse's head in my bed, Johnny Fontaine never gets that movie!"

In the novel, it's explained beautifully how they managed to get the horse head under the sheets. The producer's staff were bribed and they sedated him, putting him in a deep sleep. They then shot the horse in the head, cut its head off and stuffed it under the covers.

"Mr Corleone is a man who insists on hearing bad news immediately." And that's when Woltz knew. He farked up.

Before anyone tries to feel sorry for Woltz, he basically admits he's like Harvey Weinstein. It's a shame the horse had to have been purchased by him.

I loved how Tom calmy says "I'm German, Irish" after Woltz names every Italian slur in the world at him. Later has the horse head cut off. What a contrast. Just business.

Don Corleone doesn't horse around.

It is shocking as hell no matter how many times you watched it

That’s why you never talk about your prize possessions in a business conflict

When Woltz says “now let me be even more Frank”, I can’t help but think that’s a nod to Ol’ Blue Eyes - the “real” Johnny Fontaine

That slight head nod and direct eye contact from Tom right after he said " Mr Corleone insists on hearing bad news immediately" should've been a clear sign to Mr Woltz that he now had a target on his back.

The transition from the scream of terror to Vito casually sitting like this is just another business transaction is phenomenal. “Did ya make the creepy old man an offer he can’t refuse?” “Yeah.” “What’d you do?” “We cut off his favorite horse’s head.” “Ah, classic, well done.”

Duvall is sublime in this scene with how he just calmly and professionally sits there while Woltz is ranting and doesn't let himself be fazed by his attempted bullying, and even rolls his eyes over the bragging. The Woltz character clearly hates how the hagen character doesn't kiss his arse and can't handle it.

"He never asks a second favor when he's been refused the first." "Thank you for the dinner and a very pleasant evening." "Mr. Corleone is a man who insists on hearing bad news immediately." Genius how smoothly he intimidates Woltz.