The Godfather - 1970s Crime Thriller Drama Film

The Godfather was 1972 crime film based on the novel written by Mario Puzo published in 1969. The film was under the direction of Francis Ford Coppola, with screenplay by Puzo and Coppola, and produced by Albert S. Ruddy. The film stars Marlon Brando, Al Pacino, Robert Duvall, Diane Keaton and James Caan. The story spans ten years from late 1945 to 1955 and chronicles the life of the Corleone crime family.

The Godfather was initially ranked as the third greatest film in American cinematic history (behind Citizen Kane and Casablanca) on AFI's 100 Years... 100 Movies list by the American Film Institute. It has now been re-ranked number two under Citizen Kane, with number three being Casablanca. It is also the top movie on Internet Movie Database's Top 250 list, as well as Metacritic's top 100 list and Rotten Tomatoes' all-time best list.

The film begins at the wedding of Don Vito Corleone's daughter Connie to Carlo Rizzi in New York City in late summer of 1945. Don" Vito Corleone was, the head of a New York Mafia "family", because "no Sicilian can refuse a request on his daughter's wedding day", Corleone, known to his friends and associates as "Godfather", and Tom Hagen (the Corleone family consigliere, or counselor) are preoccupied with hearing requests from friends and associates. Meanwhile, the Don's youngest son Michael, who has returned from World War II service as a highly decorated war hero, tells his girlfriend Kay Adams anecdotes about his father's criminal life, reassuring her that he is not like his family.

With superb acting by especially Al Pacino as Mike Corleone and Marlon Brando as Don Vito Corleone this movie shows how one of the head mafia families in New York works, it gives a detailed picture of how their business runs and what kinda chances they got to take on their business, for example their denial to step inside the narcotic business brings on alot of troubles, but also it shows what kinda sacrifices they make, every day could be their last day..

Al Pacino shines above all in this movie, as the smart boy of the family he returns after fighting a war for his country, at that time not involved in the family business, but it doesn't take long before the war breaks lose and he see no other ways than to step in and fight for his family.

This movie is strong, good script, great casting, excellent acting, and over the top directing. It is hard to fine a movie done this well, it is 29 years old and has aged well. Even if the viewer does not like mafia type of movies, he or she will watch the entire film, the audiences is glued to what will happen next as the film progresses. Its about, family, loyalty, greed, relationships, and real life. This is a great mix, and the artistic style make the film memorable.

The Godfather Casts:

• Marlon Brando as Vito Corleone — the head (the "Don") of the Corleone family, Formerly known as Vito Andolini. He is the father of Sonny, Fredo, Michael and Connie and surrogate father to Tom Hagen. Husband of Carmella Corleone. A native of Sicily.
• Al Pacino as Michael Corleone — the Don's and Carmella's youngest son, recently returned from military service following the end of World War II. He initially wants nothing to do with the Corleone family business. He is the main character of the movie.
• James Caan as Santino "Sonny" Corleone — Vito and Carmella's hot-headed eldest son; he is being groomed to succeed his father as head of the Corleone family. He is the family's underboss.
• Robert Duvall as Tom Hagen — an informally adopted son of Vito and Carmella Corleone, he is also the family lawyer and the new consigliere (counselor).
• Diane Keaton as Kay Adams — Michael's White Anglo-Saxon Protestant-ish girlfriend and, ultimately, his wife and mother to his children.
• John Cazale as Fredo Corleone — the middle son of Vito and Carmella Corleone. Fredo is not very bright and appears to be the weakest of the Corleone brothers.
• Talia Shire as Connie Corleone — Vito and Carmella's only daughter. She marries Carlo Rizzi.
• Richard S. Castellano as Pete Clemenza — a caporegime for the Corleone family.
• Abe Vigoda as Sal Tessio — a caporegime for the Corleone Family.
• Al Lettieri as Virgil "The Turk" Sollozzo — a heroin dealer associated with the Tattaglia family.
• Gianni Russo as Carlo Rizzi — Connie's husband. Becomes an associate of the Corleone family.
• Sterling Hayden as Captain McCluskey — a corrupt police captain on Sollozzo's payroll.
• Lenny Montana as Luca Brasi — an enforcer utilized by Vito Corleone.
• Richard Conte as Emilio Barzini— Don of the Barzini family.
• Al Martino as Johnny Fontane — a world-famous popular singer and godson of Vito.
• John Marley as Jack Woltz — a powerful Hollywood producer.
• Alex Rocco as Moe Greene — longtime associate of the Corleone family who owns a Las Vegas hotel.
• Morgana King as Carmella Corleone — Vito's wife and mother of Sonny, Fredo, Michael and Connie, and surrogate mother to Tom Hagen.
• John Martino as Paulie Gatto — A "button man" (soldier/hit man) under Capo Pete Clemenza and Vito's driver.
• Victor Rendina as Philip Tattaglia— Don of the Tattaglia family.
• Simonetta Stefanelli as Apollonia Vitelli-Corleone — A stunningly beautiful young girl Michael meets while in Sicily.
• Sofia Coppola as Michael Francis Rizzi — Connie and Carlo's infant son.
• Louis Guss as Don Zaluchi — Don of the Zaluchi family of Detroit.
• Tom Rosqui as Rocco Lampone — a caporegime in the Corleone family.
• Joe Spinell as Willi Cicci — Soldier in the Corleone family.
• Richard Bright as Al Neri — Michael Corleone's bodyguard. He eventually becomes a caporegime.