The Godfather

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Summary: : )
Review: Michael hides the gun

In the washroom; Shoots the cop

Becomes a made man

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Summary: One of the best movies ever!
Review: The Godfather,directed by Francis Coppola,is one of the all time greats.It's got an extremely interesting story that is thoroughly engrossing.Every performance is right on: Marlon Brando as Don Vito Corleone-the patriarch of the Corleone family,a man who exudes power without ever raising his voice; James Caan as Sonny-Vito's illfated,hotheaded eldest son; Al Pacino as Michael-Vito's youngest son,who eventually takes over the family business; Robert Duvall as Tom Hagen-the family lawyer,and although not by blood,he's just like one of Vito's sons; John Cazale as Fredo-Vito's middle son who was passed over; Diane Keaton as Kay Adams-Michael's girlfriend,who later becomes his second wife. Talia Shire as Connie-Vito's daughter,Richard Castellano as Clemenza,Abe Vigoda as Tessio,Al Lettieri as Sollozo,just to name a few more. I could go on and on and on,every performance in this movie is right on target. The cinematography is excellent,and Nino Rota's musical score is wonderful.Overall,this is a fantastic movie,and one of the best ever.

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Summary: Groundbreaking Film for Mass Audiences
Review: Francis Ford Coppola's direction of THE GODFATHER is something of a dichotomy. On one hand director Coppola gets the details of the Italian-American experience down to the minutest detail. He accomplishes this with great storytelling combing script, dialogue, performances and editing. Unfortunately the actions of these family members are so appealing to audiences that it in effect glamorizes a certain lifestyle and singles out a particular ethnic group. However using his great innovative techniques Coppola created a cultural phenomenon. From a cinematic viewpoint Coppola's direction simply wins the viewer over with such grace and appeal that there is no room for ethical consequences. For years director John Ford decimated thousands of American Indians under the watchful eyes of Monument Valley. Nobody seemed to mind much in the end. Sometimes you are remembered for how well you tell a story and not so much for what the story has to say. Filmmaking can be a very dichotomous business.

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Summary: Jonny Allinson rates the Godfather
Review: Quite simply the best film ever made! If anyone dies without seing this film, they should go straight to hell! The direction is, as you would expect from any Coppola film ( with the exception of Jack) faultless. There isn't a moment in the films long running time that you even think about anything but the life and trials of the troubled Corleone family. This is partly due to the fantastic performance of the supproting cast of Caan, Duvall, keaton etc.... Its partly due to the magnificent performance by the veteran thespian Brando. But its mainly due to the awe-inspiring debut by Al Pacino, as the young, prodigal son, whos honesty slowly decays as he climbs higher up the Mafia ladder. If this hasn't inspired you then consider this: The mafia rate the film with sutch esteem, that they have began to assign the name "godfather" to their leaders, something that was never done before the films release!! Watch it, or eternal Damnation awaits .....

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Summary: An enduring classic
Review: Often mentioned among the greatest films of all time (#3 on AFI's top 100), "The Godfather" brings us an intimate look at a Mafia crime family. America has always had a romantic fascination with organized crime and this film takes us inside "The Family" like never before.

The script is nearly flawless. The dialogue is engaging and emotional and the pace never lets up. The story is mesmerizing. The characters are so carefully and intimately developed that we can't help but get emotionally involved with them. Though the violence is graphic and disturbing, it is never random or gratuitous and always has a direct link to a vital plot element.

However, the appeal of this film goes beyond its great script to the characters and the actors who played them. The ensemble has such amazing chemistry that it hard to imagine they are not actually related to one another. They have such charisma that we fall in love with every member of this band of ruthless criminals, despite their moral decadence. We come to understand that they are immoral by our standards, but not amoral, since they have their own codes of honor that they take very seriously.

Though this was more of an ensemble piece than the sequels, two actors clearly stand out, namely Marlon Brando and Al Pacino. Brando was already an established superstar at that point, although he hadn't had a meaty role in a few years. His performance as Don Vito was powerful and commanding. Outstanding as he was, it was probably not his best performance (See "On The Waterfront", "A Streetcar Named Desire", or "Mutiny On The Bounty"), yet it is the one for which he is most famous. Brando redefined our notions of the mafia patriarch from that of a ruthless dictator, to a shrewd diplomat who only wielded power when absolutely necessary. He presented him as a potent but sympathetic character with a cunning mind and an astute understanding of the human dynamics of the other families.

Pacino, in contrast, was a fresh face with only two films to his credit at that time. Despite his lack of film experience, he delivered a tour de force performance portraying a complex character that required a great deal of range. Michael Corleone starts as a goody two shoes and is ultimately hardened into a cold-blooded crime boss, with a touching romantic interlude along the way. Pacino shined in every scene and established himself as one of the truly great actors of our time.

Other standouts include Robert Duvall and James Caan, who was brilliant as the hot headed Sonny Corleone. Caan's performance was raw, brutal and visceral, yet he somehow was able to render Sonny a magnetic and charming character with a strong sense of family loyalty.

This film was nominated for nine Academy Awards in 1973 and won three, including Best Actor for Brando and Best Picture. It is one of the very few videos that I actually own. It is hard to imagine that anyone born before 1982 hasn't seen it yet, but if you haven't, you should make it the very next film you see. It is an utterly perfect 10.

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Summary: The Best Film Ever Made!
Review: Yes, this is probably the best film ever made. A lot come close ('Citizen Kane', 'Casablanca', etc.) but 'The Godfather' has been proven a perennial favorite between the audience since it's release over 25 years ago, and still stands well. It is virtuoso filmmaking at it's absolute best, everything from directing and acting to writing and score are done to perfection. Never a dull moment in the film, not a slow scene, not a bum performance and nothing seems out of place. Coppola's first major film and certainly his best, this was the offspring of his creative talent. His direction in this film is flawless, every little detail fits together, and even the casting was inspired, to create a moving and even nostalgic movie experience. The acting is unbelievable a powerhouse ensemble cast, few actors have worked so well together and in such beautifully synchronized harmony, you really believe that this people are family. Marlon Brando, in one of his definitive roles, delivers one of the best performances in his career and in movie history. His portrayal of Don Corleone is unforgettable, powerhouse method acting at the highest level. And also his physical and emotional transformation from 'aging Don' to 'old Don' is pure brilliance. Brando will be remembered as one of the greatest actors of his generation and it will be mainly because of this film, and of course because of his other great performances in films like 'A Streetcar Named Desire' and 'On The Waterfront'. Al Pacino also delivers what may well be his best performance ever as Michael, even though he was equally good in 'The Godfather Part II'. Some of his scenes, namely the spellbinding murder of Sollozzo and McCluskey, are so well acted it's scary. Robert Duvall is also very impressive as Tom Hagen. James Caan delivers an astounding performance as hot-headed Sonny, and John Cazale is equally compelling as dim-witted Fredo, his character plays a small part here but would be further developed in 'The Godfather Part II'. As for the female cast, Diane Keaton (in her pre-Woody Allen days) is perfect as the shut-out Kay. Talia Shire, who also happens to be Coppola's sister, was an inspired choice to play Connie, and even though she plays a small role here, she would grow as an actress and her character would also grow more important in 'The Godfather Part II'. Richard S. Castellano and Abe Vigoda are typecast as Don Corleone's Caporegime; Clemenza and Tessio respectively, they are perfect in their roles, and even though they don't get any big scenes they're still unforgettable. And then there's a whole line of memorable supporting characters of which I'll name only a few; Jack Woltz (John Marley), Barzini (Richard Conte), Sollozzo (Al Lettieri), Luca Brasi (Lenny Montana), Carlo Rizzi (Gianni Russo), etc. And then there's Al Martino as Johnny Fontaine who is more than quietly made to resemble Frank Sinatra, who was also rumored to be the Godson of an Italian family that may or may not be mixed up in dirty business. Many say that this is the way he got the part in 'From Here To Eternity' that won him an Oscar. Then there are the technical aspects of the film, which are dazzling. The Coppola-Puzo script is perfection, memorable dialogue throughout and not one line of dialogue seems out of place. The script follows no formulas or cliches it instead created them. Easily among the best screenplays ever written. Gordon Willis' dark cinematography is atmospheric, deeply evocative and captures the film's essence perfectly. Coppola flew to Italy specifically to find Nino Rota, who scored some of Fellini's films, to make the famous musical score for 'The Godfather'. He created one of the most famous scores of all time, a haunting score that at the same time exudes nostalgia. To finish, I want to say that this is not a crime film or an action film, it has those elements in the plot, but it's basically a movie about family and the succession of power through the generations. 'The Godfather' remains one of the most moving, expertly crafted films of all time and will always remain as my all-time favorite. Extras: the infant that is being baptized is actually Coppola's daughter Sofia. From a scale of 1-10 I give this film a 10! Masterpiece

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Summary: I'll Write A Review You Can't Refuse
Review: Francis Ford Coppola does something with this movie many filmmakers are unable to do. Coppola makes us feel as if we're part of the"FAMILY". We feel as if were behind the scenes watching the Corleone's up's and down's. A one of a kind screenplay written by Mario Puzo and Coppola,and as we all should know by now,the film the based on Puzo's novel. Truly desevering of the Oscars in won. Brando's performance in this movie,is in my opinion,the best of his career. And the same goes with the rest of the cast:Al Pacino,Diane Keaton,James Caan,Robert Duvall,and Talia Shire. Everyone in this movie delivers a powerhouse performances. Many unforgettable lines and characters that will stay with us forever. Terrific music score by Nino Rota,beautiful camerawork by Gordon Willis,and top notch directing Coppola. Truly one of the greatest films ever made! If there's anyone who hasn't seen this movie,you have no idea what your missing. A must for anyone's video collection.

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Summary: The Godfather
Review: Well, it's definitely a classic and a great movie, and Ienjoyed it thoroughly, but I must say it didn't hold a candle to the book which was outstanding, I mean it left out so much stuff like Johnny Fontane's voice problems and the entire role of Nino Valenti, Johnny's friend and singing partner, not to mention the cool killing scene of Fabrizzio...who killed Mike's wife Appolonia, and this is why it only gets a four star rating from me. But over all I would definitly recommend this movie, Al Pachino and Marlon Brando do an exelent job of portraying the movie's main characters.

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Summary: well done movie
Review: I'm very interested in the mafia and I love mafia moovies. I've seen many and this isn't one of my favorites, yet it is worth it. It was a good movie, very well done and mostly intriguing. I think most people would enjoy this movie and I would recommend it.

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Summary: The Greatest American Epic
Review: There are many classic scenes in "The Godfather," but two of them stand out in my mind. The first is the long sequence that opens the film: the wedding day of the Don's daughter Connie. A parade of well-wishers and favor-seekers visits the Godfather, each seeking his favor and counsel. Thus it is established that this is an important man, a man of respect. When he finally steals away enough time to dance with his daughter, we cannot believe that this man is a criminal.

The sequence that closes the film is equally powerful: the christening of Connie's child (with Michael as his godfather), intercut with the murders of Michael's rivals for domination of the Mafia. Thus we learn that the son, too, is a man of respect, a man who will stop at nothing to continue his father's legacy.

These opening and closing scenes show us the transition of power and honor, from father to son. We see the importance of religion and tradition in the lives of these young Americans, as well as the depths of their hypocrisy. Michael is a new kind of leader, though. One with a vision beyond the violence, a vision of a better future. Like the Kennedys (who similarly rose from crime to respectability), the Corleones eventually rise above their sordid past. Despite their flaws, or perhaps because of them, they are a quintessentially American family.

Reviewed by David Montgomery, Mystery Ink