The Godfather (1972)

The Godfather (1972)

10/10

 

Starring

Marlon Brando

Al Pacino

James Caan

Richard S. Castellano

Robert Duvall

Directed by Francis Ford Coppola

The Godfather will always stand as one of the best mafia crime drama films out there. With a story line that draws you in, and acting that makes you grin with delight, The Godfather is a classic among classics whose screenplay and legacy has been known to influence many crime dramas after it.

Done in 1972, which is exactly 40 years ago based on this review time (2012), the legacy of the Godfather lives on, many a time’s phrases and lines from the movie are used by other films or people just to pass their message along. The screenplay of the movie too has been used in many other films, one I do remember is the  movie Analysis This, where Billy Crystal had a dream of the death of De Niro (De niro was in Godfather II), in the same style as the attempted assassination of Vito Corleone.

The Godfather is directed by Francis Ford Coppola (who also worked with Marlon Brando in Apocalypse Now 1979) and produced by Albert S. Ruddy whom I remember is the man behind Cannonball Run 1 and 2.

The movie is based on a 1969 book set between the mid 40s and 50s. The book was written by Mario Puzo and the name of the book is the same as the movie. The screenplay won an Oscar and it was adapted/done by Mario Puzo and Coppola.

The film stars Marlon Brando as Vito Corleone the Don, the Godfather and the head of one of the five Mafia families in America. He has 3 sons and a daughter, Santino (Sonny), Federico (Fredo), Michele (Michael) and Constanzia (Connie).  The story, spanned the years 1945 to 1955, and the plot is about the rise of the new Don in the Corleone family.

Sonny Corleone was supposed to head the family, but due to unforeseen circumstances, Michael Corleone (Al Pacino) now has to take over from Vito. Michael was a war hero who lived outside of the family business, but when an attempt was made on Vito Corleone’s life, he had to join forces with his brother Sonny to put things back in shape for the Corleone family.

Made on a budget of 6.5 Million dollars, the movie has grossed over 280 million in its run. Getting 9 nominations in the Academy Awards, and it went home with Best Picture for Albert S. Ruddy, Best Actor for Marlon Brando and Best Adapted Screenplay for Puzo and Coppola. Ironically, Pacino was not first considered for the role he was an unknown, he only got the role because Coppola threatened to quit if he wasn’t given the part.

If you haven’t seen this masterpiece, then I don’t know what you have been watching.