The GodFather
directed by francis ford coppola
Plot:
The story begins as "Don" Vito Corleone, the head of a New York Mafia "family", oversees his daughter's wedding with his wife Carmela. His beloved son Michael has just come home from the war, but does not intend to become part of his father's business. Through Michael's life the nature of the family business becomes clear. The business of the family is just like the head of the family, kind and benevolent to those who give respect, but given to ruthless violence whenever anything stands against the good of the family. Don Vito lives his life in the way of the old country, but times are changing and some don't want to follow the old ways and look out for community and "family". An up and coming rival of the Corleone family wants to start selling drugs in New York, and needs the Don's influence to further his plan. The clash of the Don's fading old world values and the new ways will demand a terrible price, especially from Michael, all for the sake of the family.
Top-Billed Cast:
Marlon Brando, Al Pacino, James Caan, Richard S. Castellano, Robert Duvall, Sterling Hayden, John Marley, and Richard Conte
Academy Awards:
Best Picture (winner), Best Actor in a Leading Role for Marlon Brando (winner), Best Adapted Screenplay (winner), Best Actor in a Supporting Role for James Caan (nominee), Best Actor in a Supporting Role for Robert Duvall (nominee), Best Actor in a Supporting Role for Al Pacino (nominee), Best Director for Francis Ford Coppola (nominee), Best Costume Design (nominee), Best Sound (nominee), Best Film Editing (nominee)
As far as Francis Ford Coppola's epic crime drama, The Godfather, is considered, it will probably always be considered the best piece of cinema to come out of the United States ever. This may be true cinematically, but it's historical accuracy may be a bit flawed. Ever since it's release 40 years ago, The Godfather, has been the most referenced film in Hollywood. We all know the famous cotton swabs in the cheeks, sitting behind a desk with a adorable white kitten on your lap character that was made famous by Marlon Brando's Don Corleone. However, was this character realistic, no it is not. How we as a society view the mob has changed greatly since this film. A film that was failed to present the reality of the mob in New York City, ended up creating the reality of the mob in New York City. "The ultimate irony of 'The Godfather' is that real-life mobsters began to emulate the characters -- for instance, dressing better and dropping their "dese-dem-dose" locutions for the more formal, cultivated speech patterns of the Corleones. 'The Godfather' might not have been based entirely on reality and truth, but eventually, it became real and true."
The story begins as "Don" Vito Corleone, the head of a New York Mafia "family", oversees his daughter's wedding with his wife Carmela. His beloved son Michael has just come home from the war, but does not intend to become part of his father's business. Through Michael's life the nature of the family business becomes clear. The business of the family is just like the head of the family, kind and benevolent to those who give respect, but given to ruthless violence whenever anything stands against the good of the family. Don Vito lives his life in the way of the old country, but times are changing and some don't want to follow the old ways and look out for community and "family". An up and coming rival of the Corleone family wants to start selling drugs in New York, and needs the Don's influence to further his plan. The clash of the Don's fading old world values and the new ways will demand a terrible price, especially from Michael, all for the sake of the family.
Top-Billed Cast:
Marlon Brando, Al Pacino, James Caan, Richard S. Castellano, Robert Duvall, Sterling Hayden, John Marley, and Richard Conte
Academy Awards:
Best Picture (winner), Best Actor in a Leading Role for Marlon Brando (winner), Best Adapted Screenplay (winner), Best Actor in a Supporting Role for James Caan (nominee), Best Actor in a Supporting Role for Robert Duvall (nominee), Best Actor in a Supporting Role for Al Pacino (nominee), Best Director for Francis Ford Coppola (nominee), Best Costume Design (nominee), Best Sound (nominee), Best Film Editing (nominee)
As far as Francis Ford Coppola's epic crime drama, The Godfather, is considered, it will probably always be considered the best piece of cinema to come out of the United States ever. This may be true cinematically, but it's historical accuracy may be a bit flawed. Ever since it's release 40 years ago, The Godfather, has been the most referenced film in Hollywood. We all know the famous cotton swabs in the cheeks, sitting behind a desk with a adorable white kitten on your lap character that was made famous by Marlon Brando's Don Corleone. However, was this character realistic, no it is not. How we as a society view the mob has changed greatly since this film. A film that was failed to present the reality of the mob in New York City, ended up creating the reality of the mob in New York City. "The ultimate irony of 'The Godfather' is that real-life mobsters began to emulate the characters -- for instance, dressing better and dropping their "dese-dem-dose" locutions for the more formal, cultivated speech patterns of the Corleones. 'The Godfather' might not have been based entirely on reality and truth, but eventually, it became real and true."