The Award: Best Actor in a Leading Role for The Godfather
The Speech: Proving that the Academy Awards were becoming a political minefield, Brando refused to come and accept his award for The Godfather. Instead, he sent American Indian activist Sacheen Littlefeather, who explained his reasons...
"He very regretfully cannot accept this very generous award. And the reasons for this being are the treatment of American Indians today by the film industry, and on television in movie re-runs and also at recent happenings at Wounded Knee. I beg at this time that I have not intruded upon this evening, and that we will, in the future, our hearts, and our understandings meet with love and generosity. Thank you on behalf of Marlon Brando.”
Littlefeather gets applauded, and she speaks articulately enough. But it’s a massive downer on the event and something that really should never have happened. We were robbed.
Watch it here.
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Comments
Ali1748
Feb 23rd 2010, 17:06
Cuba's speech wasn't that bad , he just got emotional.
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kaysad
Feb 23rd 2010, 20:04
The lady trying to get Gerda Weissmann Klein off the stage must of felt like s**t afterwards! and the music guys!
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Toursiveu
Feb 23rd 2010, 21:29
Clint Eastwood and Gene Hackman's speeches when they won Best Director and Supporting Actor for Unforgiven are just pure class. They made us understand that they don't take all this seriously, they did it with humor and dignity. Worst speech ever in my opinion? Julia Roberts winning for Erin Brockovich. But maybe it's because I just can't stand her...
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bookster8
Feb 23rd 2010, 21:43
oh boo hoo, the precious Oscars were ruined because we had to think about how sexist/racist Hollywood is. cry about it some more.
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mitchsn
Feb 24th 2010, 1:42
#20 Except that Sacheen Littlefeather's real name is Maria Cruz, a Mexican actress.
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dcmcrae
Feb 24th 2010, 4:49
Christ! The worst thing about geeks is that they cant understand feelings and this is such a case! Gwenyth Paltrow was over happy and so was Halle Berry when they won and their reactions were understandable. Grow up, get a life and move out of your parents basement kiddos of Totalfilm.
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