The Godfather

Cover of The Godfather (Widescreen Edition)

Director: Francis Ford Coppola
Cast:Marlon Brando,Al Pacino,James Caan,Richard S. Castellano

The Godfather is an American Gangster film directed by Francis Ford Coppola based on the novel by Mario Puzo.The film was released in 1972 and has its  sequels of part II and III which collectively called as The Godfather Trilogy.Vito Corleone (Marlon Brando) is the head of Corleone crime family, the most  powerful Sicilian Mafia family lives in New york.

The movie begins with the wedding celebrations of Vito’s daughter Connie (Talia Shire).On the marriage’s  backstage Vito deals with drug lord Virgil Sollozzo (Al Lettieri).Sollozzo requests Vito’s support for Tattaglia family’s heroin business deals.Vito refuses  to accept the proposal as it may lead to break up his good ties with political parties.In mean time singer Johnny Fontane (Al Martino) arrives at the wedding  party surprises and entertains everyone.Johnny requests Vito to help him to get entry in hollywood for his bright career as an actor.Vito later fulfills  Johnny’s wish by sending Tom Hagen (Robert Duvall) to hollywood studio whom meet up with studio head Jack Woltz (John Marley).Hagen is an adopted son and  close adviser to Vito Corleone.

Vito’s youngest son, Michael (Al Pacino) arrives for the wedding with his girl friend Kay Adams (Diane Keaton).Michael detaches himself from the crime  activities carried by his family.Vito escapes from first assassination attempt on him with bullet injury on his neck. The attempt was carried out by  Sollozzo.Vito also been prevented from his second assassination attempt by Michael at a hospital where Vito been admitted.Vito’s eldest son Sonny (James  Caan) kills Tattaglia’s son following the incident.Later Michael voluntarily enters the families crime activities due to the family condition.First he tries  and kills Sollozzo with his brother Sonny’s permission.Michael escapes to Sicily and marries a local girl.In a short period Michael joins back with the  family following the death of his wife in an assassination attempt.Later he marries his long time girl friend Kay Adams.Vito one day while playing with his grand children’s, dies in the garden.

Sonny beats his sister Connie’s husband as he abuses her most of the time after marriage.On his way back Sonny is shot down.Michael slowly becomes the God  father and destroys another powerful gangster Emilio Barzini (Richard Conte).Having clearly destroyed most of the families oppositions Michael now becomes a  real God father.The film ends as Kay watches Michael been kissed on his hand by some gang leader saying him “Don Corleone” and the door slowly been  closed.

This is one of the finest gangster movie in the history of cinema.Marlon Brando just lived as a god father in this film and his performance is  outstanding.He even refuses to accept the oscar awards for his role.After George C. Scott for Patton, Brando is the second person to refuse the oscar.The  entire casting in the movie is awesome.Francis Ford Coppola’s direction and screenplay along with the cast and the powerful dialogues made this movie gain  top spot in the movie history’s all time favourite.The Godfather is a must watch.

Awards:
American Film Institute 100 years…100 movies Ranks #3
1973 Academy Award

Best Actor, Marlon Brando
Best Picture, Albert S. Ruddy
Best Adapted Screenplay, Mario Puzo, Francis Ford Coppola

Golden Globe Awards
Best Picture – Drama
Best Director, Francis Ford Coppola
Best Actor – Drama, Marlon Brando
Best Original Score, Nino Rota
Best Screenplay, Mario Puzo, Francis Ford Coppola