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The Godfather set photos you weren't allowed to see

These were some of the first photos taken of Marlon Brando in character

Jacob Stolworthy
Tuesday 02 February 2016 12:01 EST
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The film stars Brando as the head of the fictional Mafia family
The film stars Brando as the head of the fictional Mafia family (Paramount Pictures)

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Even before The Godfather was released, there was an air of anticipation surrounding Francis Ford Coppola's adaptation of the Mario Puzo novel - largely due to the casting of Marlon Brando.

At the time, it had been a while since Brando's last successful film and rumours of his short temper had long been circulating Hollywood - so when news of his casting as Vito Corleone landed, photographers did all they could to catch a glimpse of him in character.

Such was the excitement that, when members of the press caught wind of a crucial scene's filming location, they descended upon the film's shoot.

The scene in question? The one where Corleone is shot by a rival band of gangsters. Check it out below:

The scene's filming location was the centre of New York City district Little Italy - more specifically, 128 Mott Street.

Most of the photographers were fended off, but others - namely those from the New York Daily News - caught an unpermitted peek of Brando on-set.

You can view a selection of the photos below.

ANTHONY PESCATORE:NY DAILY NEWS ARCHIVE:GETTY IMAGES
ANTHONY PESCATORE:NY DAILY NEWS ARCHIVE:GETTY IMAGES (ANTHONY PESCATORE:NY DAILY NEWS ARCHIVE:GETTY IMAGES)
ANTHONY PESCATORE:NY DAILY NEWS ARCHIVE:GETTY IMAGES
ANTHONY PESCATORE:NY DAILY NEWS ARCHIVE:GETTY IMAGES (ANTHONY PESCATORE:NY DAILY NEWS ARCHIVE:GETTY IMAGES)
ANTHONY PESCATORE:NY DAILY NEWS ARCHIVE:GETTY IMAGES
ANTHONY PESCATORE:NY DAILY NEWS ARCHIVE:GETTY IMAGES (ANTHONY PESCATORE:NY DAILY NEWS ARCHIVE:GETTY IMAGES)

If you want to see some more, head on over to Mashable - an offer you can't refuse, we're sure.

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