Martin Scorsese, celebrated as one of the greatest directors in film history, came close to working with Marlon Brando, widely regarded as one of the finest actors ever. This opportunity arose decades ago but dissolved due to circumstances that even Brando himself found perplexing. The story behind this lost collaboration highlights tensions surrounding a passion project focused on Native American history.
Brando’s reputation as a formidable and iconic thespian is unquestioned, often topping debates about the greatest actor of all time. Many peers in the acting world have placed him at the pinnacle, recognizing his impact and talent. Meanwhile, Scorsese has earned acclaim for eliciting award-winning performances from a broad array of actors, ranging from Ellen Burstyn to Mark Wahlberg, proving he had the skill to guide even the most difficult personalities toward remarkable artistic achievement.
Brando’s Passion Project: “Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee”
Marlon Brando, recognized not only for his iconic roles such as in The Godfather but also for his outspoken activism on behalf of Native American rights, aimed to adapt Dee Brown’s nonfiction book Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee into a film. The book chronicles the devastating consequences of American westward expansion on indigenous communities, a subject Brando cared deeply about and wanted to portray with integrity.
For Brando, this project was more than an artistic endeavor—it was a mission. He insisted that the voices and approval of Native American communities be secured before proceeding, ensuring the portrayal remained respectful and truthful. This requirement led to heightened scrutiny over who would be entrusted to direct the film, revealing the cultural and political sensitivity of the undertaking.
Why Scorsese Was Removed as Director
The Native American groups involved wanted full confidence in the individuals leading the film. Despite Scorsese’s celebrated directorial skills, a personal misunderstanding led to his removal from the project. According to Brando, an incident involving personal loyalties and perceived courage cast doubt on Scorsese’s suitability in the eyes of those communities.
Brando recounted to Lawrence Grobel the reasoning behind the rejection:
The Indians don’t take anybody’s word for anything,
and
They want to find out who you are in their own way. The Indians have revived an asshole concept of who’s a warrior and who isn’t.
It was this “asshole concept” that ultimately ruled against Scorsese’s involvement.
Brando further explained the incident:
So, somebody made a pass at his girl, or his girl made a pass at somebody, one of those dumb things, and he didn’t do anything about it, he didn’t give a shit about the girl, what the fuck does he care?
He went on,
Well, a man who doesn’t fight for his woman can’t be a man we want to have direct our movie, so they shot him down.
What seemed a minor personal matter was enough for the Native American leaders to veto Scorsese’s role, ending his chance to collaborate with Brando on this meaningful project.
The Fallout and What Followed
Following Scorsese’s removal, Brando briefly considered working with Gillo Pontecorvo, an acclaimed director known for his political cinema, to bring the film to life. However, that partnership also fell through, and it would take decades before Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee was adapted for the screen, arriving only as a made-for-television movie aired by HBO in 2007.
This lost opportunity remains a significant “what if” in film history, as it involved two towering talents who never managed to join forces. Scorsese’s inability to collaborate with Brando on a project so important to the actor represents a rare moment of professional frustration and a reminder of how cultural and personal dynamics can derail even the most promising developments.
The story underscores the complex nature of representing indigenous narratives on screen and the importance of community trust in ensuring authentic storytelling. For Scorsese, it was a rare missed chance to work alongside Marlon Brando, whose legacy continues to influence generations of artists and activists alike.
