The Godfather

Rating: Null/10 (7 March 2003)

"The Godfather" is an exquisite mafia epic which constructs a compelling Italian family saga, with an insight into violence, power, crime, corruption, and honor. "The Godfather" (1972) is a superb gangster film, situated in New York in the late 1940s. The family is dominated by the aging Godfather `Don Vito Corleone' (Marlon Brando). There are five Italian American families and `Don Corleone,' is the head of one. The film shows the Italian American families pursuit of profit through corruption and governmental protection. The film's screenplay was based upon Mario Puzo's best selling novel based on the Corleone family. It was about three hours long and had excellent acting, besides beautiful and outstanding photography and choreography. The recreation of the period of time with the ending of World War Two was authentic. "The Godfather" opens with a man known as Sollozzo (Al Lettieri) in the dark, then as the light fades in, he is in the home office of the Don Corleone. There he conducts his business while outside in the garden area his daughter's wedding reception is taking place. The Don is accompanied by his overseer known as the consigliore, the legal advisor, Tom Hagen (Robert Duvall). The `Don' promises favors to Sollozzo and expects favors in return. The youngest son Michael (Al Pacino) transforms his shy character into the future `Don' of the family. Michael was influenced to make this decision from the shooting of his father; he felt the family was in need of support. When Michael becomes `Don,' he has taken revenge upon one of the Italian American families, Tattaglia, where he makes an arrangement to meet Bruno Tattaglia (Tony Giorgio) and Captain McCluskey (Sterling Hayden) in an Italian American restaurant planning to kill them. As Don Vito Corleone revives, he tells Michael when he passes on a betrayer working for one of the families will approach him, thus revealing who will betray the Corleone family. Michael arranges a massacre during the baptism of his sister's child for the revenge of his father's shooting. This becomes a major turning point in Michael's life and in the film. His loyalty to the Corleone family is now unquestionable, and his future is sealed. It was a very interesting, emotional, and entertaining film. I was intrigued with the Italian language and culture and the scenery of Italy filmed throughout the movie. The drama was intense and the unexpected movements stirred my imagination. I would recommend this film for viewing for the appropriate adult aged viewer. "The Godfather" will always be remembered and go down in film history, especially with the line by Don Vito Corleone, `I'll make him an offer he can't refuse.'