The Godfather Collection

Drama

Crime

The Godfather

Paramount Pictures

Alfran Productions

United States of America

English

Italiano

Latin

Marlon Brando

Al Pacino

James Caan

Robert Duvall

Richard S. Castellano

Diane Keaton

Talia Shire

Gianni Russo

Sterling Hayden

John Marley

Richard Conte

Al Lettieri

Abe Vigoda

John Cazale

Rudy Bond

Al Martino

Morgana King

Lenny Montana

John Martino

Salvatore Corsitto

Richard Bright

Alex Rocco

Tony Giorgio

Vito Scotti

Tere Livrano

Victor Rendina

Jeannie Linero

Julie Gregg

Ardell Sheridan

Simonetta Stefanelli

Angelo Infanti

Corrado Gaipa

Franco Citti

Saro Urzì

Roman Coppola

Sofia Coppola

Don Costello

Italia Coppola

Gray Frederickson

Ron Gilbert

Sonny Grosso

Louis Guss

Randy Jurgensen

Tony King

Tony Lip

Joe Lo Grippo

Lou Martini Jr.

Raymond Martino

Joseph Medaglia

Carol Morley

Rick Petrucelli

Sal Richards

Tom Rosqui

Frank Sivero

Filomena Spagnuolo

Joe Spinell

Gabriele Torrei

Nick Vallelonga

Conrad Yama

Mario Puzo

William Reynolds

Francis Ford Coppola

Albert S. Ruddy

Peter Zinner

Harry Daley

Paul Baxley

Anthony Caso

Carmine Coppola

George Newman

Nancy Hopton

Carlo Savina

Walter Murch

Michael Chapman

Michael Briggs

Tony Bowers

Gordon Willis

Nino Rota

Dean Tavoularis

Warren Clymer

Andrea Eastman

Anna Hill Johnstone

Fred Roos

Louis DiGiaimo

Philip Smith

Joe Bucaro III

Valerio De Paolis

Richard Portman

Philip Leto

Phil Rhodes

Dick Smith

Charles Grenzbach

Sass Bedig

Joe Lombardi

Fred C. Caruso

Richard Adee

Chris Newman

A.D. Flowers

Robert Evans

Tony Brandt

Fred T. Gallo

George Lucas

The Godfather Review by Al Carlson

The Godfather is a film considered by most to be one of the greatest ever made. From The American Film Institute to as voted by users on the Internet Movie Database (IMDB) it is consider to be one of the best. As a film that ranks as high as other masterpieces including Citizen Kane, Pulp Fiction and 12 Angry Men, The Godfather is an exceptional piece of cinema excellence that is flawless and is simply the pinnacle crime drama.
The Godfather revolves around the Corleone’s, an Italian family with deep roots in the New York City mafia. The head of the Corleone’s is Don Vito Corleone, a man who takes care of his family and demands respect in return. His son Michael however, who just returned home from World War II, doesn’t want to become involved with the family business. The Sollozzo’s, a family of drug dealers, confront Don and request protection in exchange for profits from the Sollozzo’s drug sales. But Don declines the offer, for he is against selling narcotics. The rejected offer starts what turns into an all out mafia war between the two families with Michael diving deep into the mafia lifestyle.
The characters are portrayed by a legendary all-star cast including Marlon Brando as Don, Al Pacino as his son Michael and James Caan as Don’s oldest son Sonny. The casting for this film has been considered by many to be the best casted film in history for their astonishing performances. All three main actors were nominated for an academy award, but only Marlon Brando won an Oscar for best actor in a leading role. It’s fascinating to watch how these characters change over the course of the movie, with one in particular changing drastically.
Directer Francis Ford Coppola, being raised in an Italian-American family in New York, understood Italian culture exceptionally and made the film very authentically. Everything from the wedding dances to the cuisine to the terms used by the characters in Sicilian come from Coppola’s first-hand knowledge of Italian-American culture. Italian composer Nino Rota did an outstanding job making the soundtrack for the film, despite not getting the Oscar for best music (but he did win an Oscar for his work in the sequel, The Godfather: Part II). Virtually everyone recognizes that iconic trumpet solo once it starts playing. He also wrote the score for another great Italian film 8 1/2. 
This film should be immediately followed up by it’s sequel, The Godfather: Part II, which also won best picture. The series still holds the title of most best picture awards for a film series to this day. They’re both flawless crime dramas and have earned their titles as some of the best pieces of cinema ever. I will guarantee you won’t be able to see this film only once, as it gets better after continual viewings. There is really nothing more to add other than if you haven’t seen this movie yet, it’s about time you did. The Godfather is a movie you can’t refuse.

The best movie ever...
A masterpiece by the young and talented Francis Ford Coppola, about a Mob family and their drama, the story telling is perfect, the acting good, sometimes a little over the top in the case of Thalia Shire (the sister of the director)

The 70's were the best years for Hollywood.

While I'm writing this, The Godfather is still beloved by people who love it simply because they are told they have to love it. 
It's written by a mobster with the sole intention of depicting the lead mobsters as demi gods. Every line and every scene in the movie and the book is meant to intimidate people into thinking the "Mafia" and really any mob, is a supernatural force.
This is a movie glorifying control freaks, and most critics are control freaks, and most critics are either in the mob or think they can join the mob.
The movie itself is dull and totally uninspiring, not to mention totally uninspired. For fifty years, the sheep have been cowing to the control freaks who tell them to love this movie that degrades them. 
There just isn't anything favorable about this movie. It owes its success to people who have interests in the movie or think they can get brownie points with such people. It's totally Hollywood in its depressing nature, and even in the seventies it was a formula film.

CinemaSerf

When you get a story written quite this magnificently it would take an extreme amateur to screw it up - and Francis Ford Coppola is no amateur. Marlon Brando, Al Pacino, James Caan and Robert Duvall represent the epitome of guile, sophistication, loyalty, honour and brutality in this self-adapted Mario Puzo story of the unambiguously ambitious "Corleone" family - they start with nothing and so the only way is up; however and whatever they need to do to get there. The characterisations are layered and colourful; Diane Keaton has no idea what she's getting herself into! John Cazale is great as the spineless brother "Fredo" too. Once again, Nino Rota pulls out all the stops to give this a score that helps cement this film's place as amongst the best ever made. My only criticism, and it is slight at that, is that the audio mix could have done with a bit of a boost. Much of the dialogue - especially from Brando - verges on the inaudible at times.

Surya

The Godfather (1972), directed by the legendary Francis Ford Coppola, is nothing short of a cinematic masterpiece that redefined storytelling in film. Based on Mario Puzo’s bestselling novel, the movie seamlessly blends crime drama with an epic exploration of power, loyalty, and family. Every frame is a testament to Coppola’s brilliance, as he transforms a gripping tale into a timeless work of art.

At the center of this monumental film is Marlon Brando’s unforgettable performance as Vito Corleone. Brando masterfully embodies the aging patriarch with an aura of quiet menace and profound wisdom, earning him a well-deserved Academy Award for Best Actor. Al Pacino delivers a career-defining performance as Michael Corleone, evolving from a reluctant outsider to a ruthless leader in a chilling, yet utterly believable transformation. James Caan as the fiery Sonny Corleone and Robert Duvall as the cool-headed consigliere Tom Hagen also shine, each adding complexity and depth to their roles.

Coppola’s direction is nothing short of visionary. His ability to craft an intricate narrative while maintaining a deliberate pace allows the characters and themes to breathe. The cinematography by Gordon Willis, often referred to as the “Prince of Darkness,” enhances the film’s iconic look, using shadows and warm tones to convey a sense of both intimacy and foreboding. Nino Rota’s haunting score, particularly the famous Godfather Waltz, further elevates the film into legend.

A fun fact: The studio initially resisted casting Marlon Brando, who was considered difficult to work with at the time. Coppola had to fight for him and famously convinced the studio by showing a test reel of Brando stuffing his cheeks with cotton balls to transform into the iconic Don Vito Corleone. The rest, as they say, is history.

The Godfather isn’t just a movie—it’s an experience. It’s a study of power and morality, a family saga, and a crime thriller all rolled into one. Its influence on filmmaking is immeasurable, and its performances, direction, and storytelling remain unparalleled. This is a film that stands the test of time, and for good reason: it’s a masterpiece in every sense of the word.

Robert De Niro Auditioning for Sonny Corleone in The Godfather

Al Pacino’s Audition Tape for The Godfather

Elemack Spyder Dolly: THE GODFATHER

Makeup Techniques: THE GODFATHER

Tom Hanks on Brando's Iconic "Godfather" Look

Don Corleone Gets Shot

The Art of Moviemaking: The Godfather | Academy Conversations

Sacheen Littlefeather Reads Marlon Brando’s Full 1973 Oscars® Speech

"Don Vito and Michael Corleone" Clip

Opening Scene

Mario Puzo on the baptism scene in THE GODFATHER

50th Anniversary Trailer

🚩 Remembering DIANE KEATON in THE GODFATHER (1972)

Ray Romano announces THE GODFATHER for AFI Movie Club

45th Anniversary Spot

"Sleep With The Fishes" Clip

Offer He Can't Refuse

The Godfather and The Candidate Win Writing Awards: 1973 Oscars

Sydney Pollack on THE GODFATHER

The Godfather Wins Best Picture: 45th Oscars (1973)

Original Trailer

William Friedkin on THE GODFATHER

Sidney Lumet On THE GODFATHER

Francis Ford Coppola On Casting Al Pacino in THE GODFATHER

Marlon Brando's Best Actor Oscar win for "The Godfather" | Sacheen Littlefeather

Best Movies

The Godfather

Cast & Crew

Videos

Cast

Marlon Brando

Al Pacino

James Caan

Robert Duvall

Richard S. Castellano

Diane Keaton

Talia Shire

Gianni Russo

Sterling Hayden

John Marley

Box office

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