The Godfather is a classic American crime film directed by the film director Francis Ford Coppola, who after making this film would go on to be recognized as one of the most influential film makers of all time. The film stars Marlon Brando as Don Vito Corleone, the head of an Italian family from New York who have their ties in with the mafia. The storyline revolves around Vito’s youngest son, Michael, played by a then-unknown Al Pacino. Michael Corleone has come home from war with no interested in joining “the family business” but when a business proposition goes wrong and leaves Don Vito nearly dead, Michael decides to avenge the men who tried to assassinate his father.
The Godfather is arguably the greatest film of all time. It’s been 39 years since the film has been released and it’s still constantly atop every film sources “greatest movies” lists. The films recognition comes from the cinematic directing, storytelling, and iconic acting. The film has stars that were not as well-known as they are today but now are considered some of Hollywood’s greatest actors. One actor who was well-known during filming was Marlon Brando who gave one of the most memorable performances in cinema history.
The film was highly successful grossing over $245Millionfrom its $6Million dollar budget. In addition to its box office success, it was nominated for 11 Oscars at the 1973 Academy Awards. The Godfather won 3 of those awards, which included Best Picture, Best Screenplay Adaptation, & Best Actor for Marlon Brando. Two years later production started on its sequel The Godfather: Part II, which continued the story of the Corleone family. The sequel was said to be just as good, if not better than the original. In 1990 The Godfather: Part III came out to end the saga of the Corleone family, but was not hailed as great as its predecessors.
The Godfather is a staple in American film making. It’s one of those films that everyone has seen and enjoyed. I think the storyline of the film is so involving, the way you’re looking in on this family full of
crime and power. It’s compelling characters, setting, and directing is what made this film “one of the
greatest films of all time.”
