#1 of 250: The Godfather

Stats & Facts
The Godfather (1972) - directed by Francis Ford Coppola

• Starring Marlon Brando, Al Pacino, and James Caan
• Current rank: #2 out of 250
• Rating: 9.2 out of 10 (589,000 votes)

Brief Overview

The Godfather is a crime drama centered around the Corleone mafia family in New York. The main premise of the film focuses on the powerful mob dynasty and how the reigns of power are transferred over from father to reluctant son.


My Thoughts
The 1930's brought about the gangster genre in film with notorious classics such as Scarface, White Heat, and Little Caesar. Forty years later, The Godfather emerges as the classic gangster film in cinema history and is also considered by many to be one of the greatest films of all time. This film envelopes a complex story behind the modern mafia family within the urban lifestyle of crime rather than focusing on individuals alone (like in Scarface). The acting in the film is exceptional -- Brando's portrayal of Vito Corleone is so well done it is almost menacing.  In addition, the script and cinematography add a sense of haunting realism to the film, creating some of the most memorable and shocking scenes in all of film history.


My Rating & Recommendation
Definitely one of those "must watch before I die" movies -- an absolutely brilliant classic that lives up to the hype.

• 9.5/10

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Up next: I tackle the Christopher Nolan batman trilogy!

Until next time,

-Heidi