George C. Scott was also regarded highly for the role. Both he and Borgnine were Academy Award winners, and would have done the role justice although they almost certainly wouldn't have raised the role to the iconic heights it enjoys today as a result of Brando's performance. [/QB][/QUOTE]

Borgnine won in the 50's for Marty, I believe, and was well over the hill by the time of the Godfather. Scott, while a fine actor lacked the nuance the role demanded. General Patton and Vito Corleone were leaders of a very different stripe.