Robert Rodriguez Talks to 'The Godfather of Modern Cinema,' Francis Ford Coppola on 'El Rey Network Presents: The Director's Chair'
"The things they fire you for when you are young are the same things that they give you lifetime achievement awards for when you are old." -- Francis Ford Coppola in "El Rey Network Presents: The Director's Chair"
Maverick filmmaker Robert Rodriguez knows firsthand that fellow filmmakers, directors, producers and cinematographers view the world differently through the lens and live to capture the best moments on film.
With that said, Rodriguez has decided to delve deeper into the mindset of one of the cinematic greats -- the "Godfather of Modern Cinema," Francis Ford Coppola, in a new installment of "El Rey Network Presents: The Director's Chair," which will air on Monday, March 2 at 8:00 p.m. ET/8:30 p.m. PT.
In the revealing interview, Coppola discusses his legacy, his regrets and shares behind-the-scenes insight into some of his most iconic films.
Coppola, who is most known for his films "The Godfather," "The Godfather: Part II," starring Marlon Brando and Al Pacino, "The Conversation," and "Apocalypse Now," among others, will discuss his legacy and his regrets, and share behind-the-scenes insight into some of his most iconic films in the one-hour special.
The gripping sit-down, which will be conducted by the multi-faceted El Rey Network Founder and Chairman Rodriguez, who's most known for his film-turned El Rey TV series "From Dusk Till Dawn," as well as "Sin City" and "Spy Kids," will be eye-opening for many fans and aspiring filmmakers.
Coppola is also very candid when discussing when he first took on the "The Godfather," which became one of the biggest movies in American cinematic history. He admits he was reluctant, but needless to say he nailed it.
"I didn't want to do 'The Godfather' because when I read the book, the big part of that book, almost two thirds of it, is about something that's not in the movie and it's sort of this very sleazy kind of a story," he tells Rodriguez. "It was George Lucas who said to me, 'Francis, they're going to chain up the door of our place, we have no money, you've got to do it.'"
As it turned out, Coppola worked his magic and the Corleone family indeed left their mark in Hollywood.
"The most famous Coppola family is the Corleones whose history he (Coppola) chronicles in 'The Godfather' trilogy -- a series of movies made over a period of 18 years (1972-1990)," according to Senses of Cinema. "The Corleone's story has become part of American folklore not merely because Coppola knows how to spin a good yarn (though his command of cinematic technique plays a large role in the success of these films), but because the trilogy also tells the story of American expansion and capitalism in the twentieth century (the films span a period from 1901 to 1979). The Corleone's saga is a tale of both a family and a nation."
Coppola also discusses getting turned down for financing on "Apocalypse Now" -- he produced the riveting Vietnam War drama in 1979, which starred Martin Sheen. The film was "an imaginative retelling" of Joseph Conrad's "Heart of Darkness."
"When you think about those days ... I made 'The Godfather,' I made 'The Conversation,' I made 'The Godfather: Part II' and then I said I wanted to make 'Apocalypse Now' and everyone says 'No.' I had to put up my whole house ... everything."
Ultimately, does Coppola have any regrets in life?
"I really intended to do ['One from the Heart'] live but I chickened out at the last moment," he admitted to Rodriguez. "... When I go to the great graveyard, the only thing I'll regret is that I didn't shoot 'One from the Heart' the way that I intended."
To hear more, tune into "El Rey Network Presents: The Director's Chair" featuring the legendary Coppola on Monday, March 2 at 8 p.m. ET/8:30 p.m. PT.
Curious to know what else El Rey Network has to offer? Check out a short clip below.