US (1972): Crime/Drama
Generally acknowledged as a bona fide classic, this Francis Ford Coppola film is one of those rare experiences that feels perfectly right from beginning to end -- almost as if everyone involved had been born to participate in it. Based on Mario Puzo's bestselling novel about a Mafia dynasty, Coppola's Godfather extracted and enhanced the most universal themes of immigrant experience in America: the plotting-out of hopes and dreams for one's successors, the raising of children to carry on the good work, etc. In the midst of generational strife during the Vietnam years, the film somehow struck a chord with a nation fascinated by the metamorphosis of a rebellious son (Al Pacino) into the keeper of his father's dream. Marlon Brando played against Puzo's own conception of patriarch Vito Corleone, and time has certainly proven the actor correct. The rest of the cast, particularly James Caan, John Cazale, and Robert Duvall as the rest of Vito's male brood -- all coping with how to take the mantle of responsibility from their father -- is seamless and wonderful. (Tom Keogh, Amazon.com)
This film ranked #3 on the AFI list of "100 Years... 100 Movies". The Godfather, Part II (1974) ranked #32, and The Godfather, Part III (1990) did not make the List.
10 nominations, 3 Awards
· Best Picture 1972: Albert S. Ruddy - Producer (Ruddy, Paramount)
· Actor 1972: Marlon Brando
· Writing (Best Screenplay based on material from another medium) 1972: Mario Puzo, Francis Ford Coppola
· Supporting Actor 1972: James Caan
· Supporting Actor 1972: Robert Duvall
· Supporting Actor 1972: Al Pacino
· Directing 1972: Francis Ford Coppola
· Costume Design 1972: Anna Hill Johnstone
· Film Editing 1972: William H. Reynolds, Peter Zinner
· Sound 1972: Bud Grenzbach, Richard Portman, Christopher Newman