The Godfather - The Oscar Project Part XLV

Now we’re getting into the really good stuff. The 1972 winner for the Best Picture Oscar was “The Godfather.” I have seen this film many times before so there weren’t really any surprises for me here. It is one of the most influential film of the past 50 years. Not only does it begin the telling of a great story that is finished with “The Godfather II” (I won’t mention the third film), but it also brought to prominence a slew of great actors which includes Al Pacino, Robert Duvall and James Caan.


“The Godfather” follows the story of Michael Corleone, the youngest brother of a family of Italian-Americans. The first part of the movie sets up the world of underground crime that the family is involved in. Things take a turn for the worse when the head of the family, Vito, played by Marlon Brando, refuses to begin trafficking drugs. When he is shot, Michael gets drawn into the world of crime and eventually must flee the country and live in Italy. While there he marries a local girl who is then murdered in an assassination attempt on Michael. Eventually Michael returns to America after his older brother is killed and takes over the family, marries the girlfriend that he left in the states and then must deal with the fallout of the death of his father. The movie ends with him becoming a Godfather to his nephew and at the same time settling all family business by taking revenge on his enemies.

What more is there to say about this movie that hasn’t already been said, the first thing I think of when I think about “The Godfather” is the theme music. If you’ve seen the movie you are probably already hearing it in your head. The second would be the acting; my favorite scene is at the end when Michael is confronting someone that betrayed him. You can see that he has completely given into the world of crime at this point and is an evil man. Pacino puts in the performance of a lifetime here, and he isn’t the only one to give a solid performance, there isn’t a weak spot to be found in the acting. The only point that people have really ever found contention with is the complicated plot. It may take several viewing to fully understand what is going on. And it did take me more than one watch to be able to fully describe the plot to someone. It’s a movie that makes you work. But it is so good that you won’t mind.
“The Godfather” will remain on Top 10 lists for a long time. And it should. The film holds up to any of the gangster and crime films of today. If you haven’t seen it rent or just go buy the film. You won’t regret it. 5 out of 5 stars.