The Godfather (1972)
8.686 /10
21877 Reviews
Rate This Movie:
Spanning the years 1945 to 1955, a chronicle of the fictional Italian-American Corleone crime family. When organized crime family patriarch, Vito Corleone barely survives an attempt on his life, his youngest son, Michael steps in to take care of the would-be killers, launching a campaign of bloody revenge.
Videos & Photos
cast
... Don Vito Corleone
... Michael Corleone
... Sonny Corleone
... Tom Hagen
... Clemenza
User reviews
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.
Director:
Release Date:
1972-03-14
Run Time:
175 min
MMPA Rating:
R
Reviews of
The Godfather
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.
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.
Great Movie **Ever**
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.
Cast & Crew of
The Godfather
Cast
... Don Vito Corleone
... Michael Corleone
... Sonny Corleone
... Tom Hagen
... Clemenza
... Kay Adams
... Connie Corleone Rizzi
... Carlo Rizzi
... Captain McCluskey
... Jack Woltz
... Barzini
... Sollozzo
... Sal Tessio
... Fredo Corleone
... Cuneo
... Johnny Fontane
... Mama Corleone
... Luca Brasi
... Paulie Gatto
... Bonasera
... Neri
... Moe Greene
... Bruno Tattaglia
... Nazorine
... Theresa Hagen
... Philip Tattaglia
... Lucy Mancini
... Sandra Corleone
... Mrs. Clemenza
... Apollonia - Sicilian Sequence
... Fabrizio - Sicilian Sequence
... Don Tommasino - Sicilian Sequence
... Calo - Sicilian Sequence
... Vitelli - Sicilian Sequence
... Boy on Street Who Attended Funeral (uncredited)
... Michael Francis Rizzi (uncredited)
... Don Victor Stracci (uncredited)
... Extra in Wedding Scene (uncredited)
... Cowboy on the Set at Woltz's Studio (uncredited)
... Usher in Bridal Party (uncredited)
... Cop Outside Hospital (uncredited)
... Don Zaluchi (uncredited)
... Sonny's Killer #1 (uncredited)
... Tony - Stablehand (uncredited)
... Wedding Guest (uncredited)
... Sonny's Bodyguard (uncredited)
... Boy at Wedding (uncredited)
... Corleone Family Member (uncredited)
... Priest at Baptism (uncredited)
... Night Nurse (uncredited)
... Lou - Sollozzo's Driver (uncredited)
... Drunk (uncredited)
... Rocco Lampone (uncredited)
... Street Extra (uncredited)
... Extra in Wedding Scene (uncredited)
... Willi Cicci (uncredited)
... Enzo the Baker (uncredited)
... Wedding Party Guest (uncredited)
... Fruit Vendor (uncredited)
Crew
... Producer
... Screenplay
... Screenplay
... Editor
... Editor
... Stunt Coordinator
... Stunts
... Stunt Double
... Conductor
... Additional Music
... Post Production Consulting
... Wardrobe Supervisor
... Camera Operator
... Script Supervisor
... Location Coordinator
... Location Coordinator
... Director of Photography
... Original Music Composer
... Novel
... Production Design
... Art Direction
... Set Decoration
... Costume Design
... Associate Producer
... Casting
... Casting
... Casting
... Stand In
... Production Manager
... Sound Re-Recording Mixer
... Makeup Artist
... Hairstylist
... Makeup Artist
... Sound Re-Recording Mixer
... Unit Production Manager
... Special Effects
... Special Effects
... Producer
... Special Effects
... Set Decoration
... Sound Recordist
... Producer
... Director
... Assistant Director
... Assistant Director
... Assistant Editor
Videos & Photos of
The Godfather
Videos (2)
50th Anniversary Trailer
1: 31
Original Trailer
1: 31
Photos 59
Similar Movies To
The Godfather
On the Beach (1959)
6.621/10
In 1964, atomic war wipes out humanity in the northern hemisphere; one American submarine finds temporary safe haven in Australia, where life-as-usual covers growing despair. In denial about the loss of his wife and children in the holocaust, American Captain Towers meets careworn but gorgeous Moira Davidson, who begins to fall for him. The sub returns after reconnaissance a month (or less) before the end; will Towers and Moira find comfort with each other?
Release: 1959-12-17
Haunted People (1932)
5/10
Widowed carpenter Vincenz Olivier lives with his 8-year-old son Boubou in a small French town. But on the day he is supposed to marry the mayor′s daughter, Louise, his dark past catches up with him: Ten years ago, Vincenz – whose real name is Leon Bernier – escaped from prioson after being convicted of murdering his lover′s sister. Taking Boubou with him, Vincenz, who then and now still denies the crime, flees from the police in a desperate attempt to prove his innocence.
Release: 1932-12-06
The Death of Stalin (2017)
7.013/10
When dictator Joseph Stalin dies, his parasitic cronies square off in a frantic power struggle to become the next Soviet leader. As they bumble, brawl and back-stab their way to the top, the question remains — just who is running the government?
Release: 2017-10-20
Ocean's Eight (2018)
7/10
Debbie Ocean, a criminal mastermind, gathers a crew of female thieves to pull off the heist of the century at New York's annual Met Gala.
Release: 2018-06-07
Fräulein Else (2014)
5/10
Else joins her aunt to spend her holidays in a remote luxury hotel in India. She receives a message by her mother disclosing that her father has enormous debts and her mother asks Else for help. This gets Else into serious troubles - with deadly consequences.
Release: 2014-05-22
Yöjuna (1996)
3/10
A midnight freight train collides with a mysteriously abandoned truck at Rajamäki station, derailing and revealing that its cargo manifests were falsified. Investigation secretary Ari Nykänen uncovers a scheme smuggling explosives out of the country, with evidence pointing to collusion among senior VR executives.
Release: 1996-09-13
Texas Heart (2016)
4.7/10
A California lawyer, hiding out in a small Texas town while on the run from the mob, risks exposure when he decides to defend a local man he believes innocent of murder.
Release: 2016-05-20
Notre Dame de Paris - Live Arena di Verona (2002)
9.5/10
Notre Dame de Paris tells the story of Quasimodo, the hunchbacked bell-ringer of the cathedral of Notre-Dame and of his impossible and tragic love for Esmeralda, a beautiful gypsy. A love condemned by injustice and hypocrisy. Quasimodo forced by his ugliness to look at the world from the top of a tower one day he falls madly in love with Esmeralda who sees dancing and singing on the square in front of the cathedral. But Esmeralda is in love with Febo, the handsome captain of the King's guards. Febo is fiancé of Fiordaliso, a young and rich bourgeois, but the exotic and sensual beauty of the gypsy does not leave indifferent the man who immediately falls in love with her. Even Frollo, the archdeacon of the cathedral, is attracted by the gypsy and spying on the moves of the two lovers in a raptus of jealousy and repressed carnal desire to get rid of the rival stabbing Febo behind.
Release: 2002-09-04
Some Other Stories (2010)
6.5/10
The film is a high-concept project with five stories exploring the themes of motherhood and pregnancy, directed by women filmmakers from five former Yugoslav republics. “Croatian Story” follows an anguished painter who must decide whether or not to keep one of her unborn twins, diagnosed with Down syndrome. “Serbian Story” finds an expectant mother in the same emergency room with a charming killer. “Bosnia-Herzegovina Story” centers on a financially strapped Sarajevo family whose son?s lover is pregnant. “Macedonian Story” unfolds in a clinic where a drug addict struggles to keep her baby, and “Slovenian Story” ends the omnibus on a humorous note with a nun who finds her own way to immaculate conception.
Release: 2010-07-18
Paydirt (2020)
5.7/10
A parolee teams up with his old crew determined to find a buried bag of cash stolen a decade ago from a DEA bust gone bad, while being tracked by a retired Sheriff.
Release: 2020-08-07
Mackan (1977)
6/10
Mackan's real name is Margaret. She is 14 and move a lot because her father is employed at the Railroad Company. In a small town she meets Kenneth.He is 18 and the coolest guy in town. Their relationship is a major triumph for Mackan.
Release: 1977-12-19
White Hunger
0/10
Set in 1867, the year of the great famine in Finland. A farmer’s wife sets off on foot through the snow with her two young children towards St. Petersburg.
Release:
Those Were the Days... (1995)
6/10
A gangster gets mixed up with drugs after witnessing a friend killed during a gang fight.
Release: 1995-04-22
Dangerous Boys (2014)
6.3/10
Two rival high school gang leaders square off in Bangkok over honor, school pride, a girlfriend and rock-n-roll popularity.
Release: 2014-10-09
Orpheus Star (2020)
0/10
Douglas Privett is a young musician who returns to the small mid-western town of his childhood to see Ezrela Mae Privett, the ailing grandmother who'd raised him, a Baptist preacher battling demons of her own. Despite childhood memories of emotional trauma, Douglas agrees to stay in town and help her with therapy. Douglas searches for Cal, his only childhood friend and secret crush, but only finds Cal's younger sister, Jaylene. While staring at a starry night sky, Douglas recalls a positive memory o his grandmother and has a chance encounter with Dora, a wise homeless woman.
Release: 2020-12-13
Live by Night (2016)
6.278/10
A group of Boston-bred gangsters set up shop in balmy Florida during the Prohibition era, facing off against the competition and the Ku Klux Klan.
Release: 2016-12-25
2 States (2014)
6.5/10
A man and a woman come from two very different cultural backgrounds, and decide that they won't get married until they convince their parents. As feared, differences between the families pose a hurdle.
Release: 2014-04-17
The Glembays (1988)
7.3/10
The Glembays of Zagreb are a rich family cursed with tragedies and haunted by sinister past. Leone Glembay, a rebelious son of the family patriarch, is becoming disgusted with hypocrisy, perversion and crime that runs in the family.
Release: 1988-06-30
When the Legends Die (1972)
5.273/10
An elderly rodeo rider becomes mentor to a young man attempting to make his own name in the business.
Release: 1972-10-19