Note: This review is part of our legacy series. The Godfather celebrates its 50th anniversary this year.
The Godfather is Francis Ford Coppola’s 1972 epic masterpiece, based on Mario Puzo’s 1969 novel of the same name. It tells the story of Don Vito Corleone (Brando), the aging patriarch of an organized crime dynasty in New York City as he prepares to transfer control of his empire to his reluctant youngest son, Michael Corleone (Pacino). This film is the first installment in one of cinema’s greatest trilogies, and it spans from 1945 to 1955.
The Godfather is rightfully considered one of the greatest films ever made. It's an epic, American tragedy that also serves as the prime example of the crossroads between commercial and critical success; possessing the rare gift of being cinematic art that also entertains the masses. It was influenced by real-life stories of mafia families, and also draws inspiration from the gangster films that were popular in the 1930’s. It's a film that reveals something new with each viewing, and transforms into a different film depending on the life experiences of the viewer.
This is a movie about legacy, loyalty, and the significance of the decisions we make. It's also a film about life and what makes us who we are. Everyone is an amalgamation of the qualities they inherit from the prior generation and what they make for themselves. We're connected to our past and our future, particularly in regards to our family.
The importance of family is one of the primary focuses of The Godfather. Michael Corleone is at a critical juncture in his life. He's caught between his past and his future. As he starts to commit to the gangster lifestyle, he finds himself living in the city of Corleone, Sicily; the namesake for his family and the town his ancestors came from. This represents the bond to his past growing stronger as the story progresses.
Michael’s journey from family outsider to…