MovieChat Forums > I Knew It Was You: Rediscovering John Cazale (2009) Discussion > Where was Michael Cimino?

Where was Michael Cimino?

posted 14 years ago by humancomedy
18 replies | jump to latest

Like many filmgoers in the 70's, I took John Cazale for granted...the way he quietly inhabited "Fredo" you assumed he was just playing "himself." The first person I heard who spoke highly of him was Michael Cimino, who was a guest at Gary Prebula's Theatrical Film Symposium class at CSULB in the fall of '78. (Gary had hoped we would be the first to see The Deer Hunter, but since it was still a few weeks away from completion, they screened the previous Cimino film--Thunderbolt and Lightfoot--instead.)

But Cimino talked a little about making The Deer Hunter, and also about John Cazale who had just passed away. You could tell that they were good friends because he got a little choked up as he spoke of what a great actor he was. I'll never forget that moment.

It would have been nice if he had been in the film, but since he wasn't perhaps the audio recording that was made could be located at the CSULB library and included in the DVD.

[–] Shepard-6 14 years ago

Hey Richard here, the director of the doc. We tried, and tried and tried to get cimino to talk with us. He was the only person to turn us down. I wish he hadn't as he made a brilliant movie and obviously had stuff to say abut Cazale. But he did. And to be honest, screw him. When you have people like Streep, De Niro and the ever elusive Gene Hackman taking time to remember a beloved friend, it just speaks of Cimino's character that he refused to do it. Thanks for watching, by the way! RS

[–] humancomedy 14 years ago

You're welcome, Richard!

Meant to say before that you did a GREAT job on this. It wasn't just the stellar group you assembled, but the comments that you got out of them that made the whole thing both entertaining and enlightening.

There were so many bits of business in those scenes that Cazale did that I originally overlooked, probably because of the heavyweights he worked with. I liked how they were discussed by Lumet, etc., and then shown.

I think people will come away from seeing this documentary with a whole new appreciation for him as an artist and as a person. There was a lot of heart in this film, and it was a real pleasure to watch.

Thanks.

[–] blockerjosh 14 years ago

I agree about Cimino. I couldn't believe the people being interviewed for this doc. It's like a who's who of actors and filmmakers who are known for not doing interviews. I was watching this last night and commented about it to my wife about halfway through the film. Knowing Deer Hunter was coming up, I said something like "I bet they couldn't get DeNiro to sit down, though." Sure enough, there he was. That's the ultimate testament to Cazale, that and the fact that all these titans of acting all turned in arguably their best performances ever acting up against Cazale. Great film, just wish it was longer.

[–] arcarese 12 years ago

Richard, must say I just watched your documentary on John Cazale and found it to be amazing and particularly moving.

Thanks for bringing greater recognition to his work as an actor.

[–] Shepard-6 14 years ago

Thanks, Killa.
RS

[–] bacci40 14 years ago

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Fy2ukXfVVY

after watching the above, im glad that cimino was not included

here is a guy who is the exact opposite of cazale

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[–] netshopper-2 13 years ago

^^Not sure I agree. As weird as he is, he did write and direct The Deer Hunter and spoke well of Cazale. Out of respect for Cazale and the other actors he knew to be involved in the doc, he should have done an interview. Being that he had this huge film followed by nothing else professionally is probably the reason he declined. Kind of like the losers from your high school that don't want to attend reunions because they have not really made it but try to make it seem like they are too important to participate.

At least the makers of the doc tried to get him and scored interviews with more important people like Lumet, Copola, Streep and Hackman. If I could have seen a little more in the interviews besides Cimino, I would have wanted to hear a little bit more from his brother.

[–] henrika 14 years ago

Hi Richard, as I'm dying to see the movie, my question is simply, when will it be released on DVD?

Sincerly
Henrik, Norway

[–] Shepard-6 14 years ago

hey there. movie is coming out on dvd in november.

[–] ahmed_elhag 14 years ago

Is there any extras on the DVD ?

[–] Shepard-6 14 years ago

yup. extended pacino interview. extended isreal Horowitz interview. Short film John was in in 1962. I did a director commentary. Liner notes by mark harris author of Pictures from a Revolution.

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[–] billyglenn 13 years ago

Found the DVD at my local library this week by dumb luck and really enjoyed it. Very nice work guys. Very touching tribute to a great man. I also enjoyed the director commentary. I don't think missing out on Cimino hurt things at all. There was so much other great stuff from the people who worked with him that Cimino is not really missed.

Loved it. Great job. Highly recommended.

[–] Prismark10 13 years ago

Rather difficult to get Cimino on screen these days. I doubt that person exists anymore with the numerous plastic surgeries.

Its that man again!!

[–] Vagabear 10 years ago

There are a number of reasons that Cimino may not have participated - one that comes to mind is that he may well have been healing from plastic surgery (which he doesn't admit to - but it's rather obvious that he's had a number of operations on his face.) The man is enigmatic and somewhat reclusive, especially after the major upswings and downs of his professional life. I would cut him some slack - but certainly wish he could have been involved.

[–] 12 years ago

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