Cillian Murphy Once Revealed the Film That Made Him “Want to Be an Actor”

Cillian Murphy has revealed the movie that first sparked his desire to act, sharing a personal story about how a 1973 film left a lasting impression on him.

In a 2016 interview with Rotten Tomatoes, the Irish actor named Jerry Schatzberg’s road movie Scarecrow as a key influence in his journey toward acting.

Murphy recalled renting the film by accident when he was just 15, expecting a horror movie. “They told us it was a scary movie. It pretty much made me want to be an actor. Al Pacino will break your heart. And Gene Hackman will break your other heart,” he said.

The performances of Pacino and Hackman clearly left a deep impression on the young actor, inspiring him to pursue a career in film.

Scarecrow is a 1973 road comedy-drama directed by Jerry Schatzberg, starring Gene Hackman and Al Pacino. The film follows the journey of two men traveling from California with plans to start a business in Pittsburgh.

At the 1973 Cannes Film Festival, Scarecrow earned critical recognition, tying for the Grand Prix du Festival International du Film (now known as the Palme d’Or) alongside Alan Bridges’ The Hireling.

The story centers on Max Millan, a short-tempered ex-convict, and Francis Lionel “Lion” Delbuchi, a naive former sailor. The two meet on the road and decide to team up to open a car-wash business once they reach Pittsburgh.

Along the way, Lion is heading to Detroit to meet a child he has never seen and to make amends with the child’s mother, Annie, sending her all the money he earned while at sea. Max agrees to accompany him, making a detour to Pittsburgh to take care of matters with the bank where he has been saving his money.

The film explores the evolving friendship between the two men as they navigate personal challenges and the uncertainties of life on the road.

Scarecrow received mixed reviews upon its release, with critics praising the performances of Pacino and Hackman but finding the story somewhat slow. Over time, however, it has gained recognition for its raw, emotional depth and is now often celebrated as a hidden gem of 1970s cinema.

Murphy’s reflections highlight how personal experiences with film can profoundly shape a future career. His story also reminds us that sometimes a single viewing can ignite a lifelong passion.

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