Al Pacino has worked very hard to craft a reputation in Hollywood that very few have managed to get. Having starred in more masterpieces than perhaps anyone in the history of cinema, he is one of the greatest actors of all time. This title, of course, did not come easy, as the actor is known for having some very unique habits that help him get into the minds of his characters.
He is known for being very erratic and unpredictable when put in front of a camera. So much so, that no take will ever be the same with Pacino. His co-star in his 1995 film, Heat, Hank Azaria, revealed exactly this in a recent post. The actor revealed that the iconic scene of him being yelled at by Al Pacino was unscripted.
Al Pacino Terrified Hank Azaria
Hank Azaria recently gave an interview with Matt Friend where he touched on his experience working with Al Pacino on their film, Heat. There is an iconic moment in the film where Pacino’s character, Vincent Hanna, yells at Azaria’s character, Alan Marciano, about getting his head out of someone’s butt.
The Friends actor was asked how he felt during this scene, being the young actor that he was back then. He revealed that he was terrified.
“I was terrified and not acting at all.” said Azaria.
After Hanna yells at Azaria’s character, there is a dumbfounded expression on Marciano’s face. Azaria revealed that at this moment he was not acting and his reaction was completely real. The reason for this was that the moment was unscripted.
Al Pacino’s Scream Was Unscripted
Apparently, the moment where Al Pacino’s character yells was completely unscripted and the yelling was a creative decision taken by the Godfather actor. Hank Azaria revealed that this shot was after they had been filming this exact scene for ninety-nine takes. In the script and the other ninety-eight takes, Pacino had a calm voice and delivered his lines in a monotonously threatening way.
“It was like the 99th take. Michael Mann does many, many takes. That came out on the take 100. He did 99 (normally), and in take 100 (yells).” said Azaria.
However, after filming this scene so many times, the actor grew frustrated and decided to channel it into his performance. The volume of his voice only went higher in this particular part and the delivery became so iconic that it is being talked about more than 25 years later.
