Fresh Air cover image

Fresh Air

Film Icons: Michael Caine / Robert Duvall

Aug 26, 2024
Michael Caine, the acclaimed British actor behind iconic roles in films like Alfie, shares insights on the power of voice and the challenges of intimacy in film. He reveals why raising one's voice isn't necessary to command presence and shares his disdain for love scenes. Robert Duvall, the versatile American star of classics like The Godfather, reminisces about his unforgettable character Tom Hagen and the pressure of delivering powerful lines in Apocalypse Now. Together, they explore acting's intricate dance between authenticity and performance.
44:49

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

  • Michael Caine highlights the transformative power of vocal technique, emphasizing its role in delivering authentic performances across varied characters.
  • Robert Duvall reflects on iconic film roles, illustrating how dialogue and character nuances can define an actor's legacy in cinema.

Deep dives

Michael Caine's Unique Voice and Acting Journey

Michael Caine emphasizes the significance of an actor’s voice, describing it as the second most important asset after their eyes. He recounts how he initially struggled with his Cockney accent, which he transformed by lowering his voice placement to the diaphragm for better projection in theater. During his career, Caine found that American audiences struggled to understand British accents due to differences in speed and rhythm of speech. His journey involved learning how to adapt his voice for different roles, including mastering American loops to make his character in 'Alfie' more comprehensible to American viewers.

Get the Snipd
podcast app

Unlock the knowledge in podcasts with the podcast player of the future.
App store bannerPlay store banner

AI-powered
podcast player

Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features

Discover
highlights

Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode

Save any
moment

Hear something you like? Tap your headphones to save it with AI-generated key takeaways

Share
& Export

Send highlights to Twitter, WhatsApp or export them to Notion, Readwise & more

AI-powered
podcast player

Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features

Discover
highlights

Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode