When 'Godfather' Live Like The Godfather
When 'Godfather' Live Like The Godfather
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POLYNESIA - Marlon Brando known one of the greatest actors ever and also one of the most secretive. But fans of the genius can get a glimpse of how the Godfather lived by visiting the island paradise that helped inspire his extraordinary talent. He discovered French Polynesia while looking for somewhere to set his 1962 film Mutiny on the Bounty.
He fell in love with the tranquil atoll of Tetiaroa, which is made up of 12 tiny islands and was a popular destination for the Tahitian royal family. After almost six years of wrangling it was leased by Brando who paid £136,624 and converted it into a small village and later a hotel.
His connection with this piece of paradise is explored in Bafta-nominated biopic Listen To Me Marlon which explores the Streetcar Named Desire actor's history through hours of self-interview tapes.
Brando once said of the island: "My mind is always soothed when I imagine myself sitting on my South Sea island at night. If I have my way, Tetiaroa will remain forever a place that reminds Tahitians of what they are and what they were centuries ago."
It was here that Brando escaped from Hollywood and instead liked to use the pseudonym Jim Ferguson, according to the Telegraph.
Friends such as Quincy Jones and Robert De Niro were also invited to the hideaway, which he tried to leave unspoilt. Unwilling to damage the unique island, Brando lived in a beach hut amongst Tahitian royalty and put off building until he could create a ‘responsible luxury’.
He introduced sea water air conditioning, solar energy, a biofuel thermal power station and an eco-stations for research and education on to the island. The resort was built on the island five years before Brando's death in 2004 and in 2014 it was transformed into a luxury eco hotel and spa, The Brando.
Since its rebranding, the lush atoll with sandy beaches and turquoise waters has attracted a host of well-heeled honeymooners and holidaymakers alike looking for a dreamy escape. Even fellow Hollywood star Leonardo Di Caprio is said to have visited.
Each of the island's 35 private villas maintain the traditional French Polynesian style and guests can choose from one, two or three bedroom villas. As well as island restaurants, there is a spa, fitness centre and resort pool on the atoll now.
Brando's atoll can only be reached by helicopter or aboard a private plane - which makes it ideal for those wanting to follow in the footsteps of this famous castaway.
He fell in love with the tranquil atoll of Tetiaroa, which is made up of 12 tiny islands and was a popular destination for the Tahitian royal family. After almost six years of wrangling it was leased by Brando who paid £136,624 and converted it into a small village and later a hotel.
His connection with this piece of paradise is explored in Bafta-nominated biopic Listen To Me Marlon which explores the Streetcar Named Desire actor's history through hours of self-interview tapes.
Brando once said of the island: "My mind is always soothed when I imagine myself sitting on my South Sea island at night. If I have my way, Tetiaroa will remain forever a place that reminds Tahitians of what they are and what they were centuries ago."
It was here that Brando escaped from Hollywood and instead liked to use the pseudonym Jim Ferguson, according to the Telegraph.
Friends such as Quincy Jones and Robert De Niro were also invited to the hideaway, which he tried to leave unspoilt. Unwilling to damage the unique island, Brando lived in a beach hut amongst Tahitian royalty and put off building until he could create a ‘responsible luxury’.
He introduced sea water air conditioning, solar energy, a biofuel thermal power station and an eco-stations for research and education on to the island. The resort was built on the island five years before Brando's death in 2004 and in 2014 it was transformed into a luxury eco hotel and spa, The Brando.
Since its rebranding, the lush atoll with sandy beaches and turquoise waters has attracted a host of well-heeled honeymooners and holidaymakers alike looking for a dreamy escape. Even fellow Hollywood star Leonardo Di Caprio is said to have visited.
Each of the island's 35 private villas maintain the traditional French Polynesian style and guests can choose from one, two or three bedroom villas. As well as island restaurants, there is a spa, fitness centre and resort pool on the atoll now.
Brando's atoll can only be reached by helicopter or aboard a private plane - which makes it ideal for those wanting to follow in the footsteps of this famous castaway.
(rnz)
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