The Godfather

( 54 )

Overview

Popularly viewed as one of the best American films ever made, the multi-generational crime saga The Godfather is a touchstone of cinema: one of the most widely imitated, quoted, and lampooned movies of all time. Marlon Brando and Al Pacino star as Vito Corleone and his youngest son, Michael, respectively. It is the late 1940s in New York and Corleone is, in the parlance of organized crime, a "godfather" or "don," the head of a Mafia family. Michael, a free thinker who defied his father by enlisting in the Marines...
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DVD (2008 Restored Edion / Wide Screen)
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Overview

Popularly viewed as one of the best American films ever made, the multi-generational crime saga The Godfather is a touchstone of cinema: one of the most widely imitated, quoted, and lampooned movies of all time. Marlon Brando and Al Pacino star as Vito Corleone and his youngest son, Michael, respectively. It is the late 1940s in New York and Corleone is, in the parlance of organized crime, a "godfather" or "don," the head of a Mafia family. Michael, a free thinker who defied his father by enlisting in the Marines to fight in World War II, has returned a captain and a war hero. Having long ago rejected the family business, Michael shows up at the wedding of his sister, Connie Talia Shire, with his non-Italian girlfriend, Kay Diane Keaton, who learns for the first time about the family "business." A few months later at Christmas time, the don barely survives being shot by gunmen in the employ of a drug-trafficking rival whose request for aid from the Corleones' political connections was rejected. After saving his father from a second assassination attempt, Michael persuades his hotheaded eldest brother, Sonny James Caan, and family advisors Tom Hagen Robert Duvall and Sal Tessio Abe Vigoda that he should be the one to exact revenge on the men responsible. After murdering a corrupt police captain and the drug trafficker, Michael hides out in Sicily while a gang war erupts at home. Falling in love with a local girl, Michael marries her, but she is later slain by Corleone enemies in an attempt on Michael's life. Sonny is also butchered, having been betrayed by Connie's husband. As Michael returns home and convinces Kay to marry him, his father recovers and makes peace with his rivals, realizing that another powerful don was pulling the strings behind the narcotics endeavor that began the gang warfare. Once Michael has been groomed as the new don, he leads the family to a new era of prosperity, then launches a campaign of murderous revenge against those who once tried to wipe out the Corleones, consolidating his family's power and completing his own moral downfall. Nominated for 11 Academy Awards and winning for Best Picture, Best Actor Marlon Brando, and Best Adapted Screenplay, The Godfather was followed by a pair of sequels.
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Special Features

Closed Caption; The original, provacative director's commentary
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Editorial Reviews

All Movie Guide - Lucia Bozzola
"I believe in America" -- and America embraced The Godfather, turning it into a landmark artistic triumph and blockbuster hit. The movie was initially planned as a low-budget adaptation of Mario Puzo's Mafia family best-seller, and young director Francis Ford Coppola was hired because Paramount thought he would be easy to control. Instead, he fought the studio to cast little-known Al Pacino as Michael Corleone and foundering Marlon Brando as Don Vito, and he turned The Godfather into an operatic period epic about family, honor, and American economic success (the word "Mafia" is never used); in return, he was almost fired during production. The finished film's narrative drive and imagery were astonishing. Beginning with the opening sequence intercutting Vito's sepulchral study with the bright wedding outside, Coppola renders the Corleones threatening in their business and appealing in their closeness as they negotiate the legacy of Vito's prosperity. Gordon Willis' shadowy cinematography infused the film with shades of black, brown, and gold, contrasting bleak Family dealings with warm family loyalty. The famously extreme violence, particularly the horse head and Sonny's tollbooth demise (echoing 1967's Bonnie and Clyde), revealed the cost of protecting the family honor; the baptism montage elevated Michael's corruption to diabolical proportions as he consolidates his business power. Highly anticipated and critically revered, The Godfather became one of the biggest box-office hits of all time, adding several catchphrases to the cultural lexicon, revitalizing the gangster genre, turning Pacino into a star, and reviving Brando's career. Nominated for 10 Oscars, The Godfather won Best Picture, but Brando snubbed his Best Actor prize and Coppola lost Best Director to Cabaret's Bob Fosse. Willis' cinematography wasn't even nominated, and although Nino Rota's memorable music did initially receive a nomination, the Academy rescinded it when they discovered that Rota included material in the score from one of his earlier compositions. In 1998, the American Film Institute named The Godfather one of the three greatest American films ever made, testifying to its enduring artistic legacy.
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Product Details

  • Release Date: 9/23/2008
  • UPC: 097361329147
  • Original Release: 1972

    • Rating:

  • Source: Paramount
  • Region Code: 1
  • Presentation: 2008 Restored Edion / Wide Screen
  • Sound: Dolby AC-3 Surround Sound
  • Language: Français
  • Time: 2:57:00
  • Format: DVD
  • Sales rank: 1,631

Cast & Crew

Performance Credits
Marlon Brando Don Vito Corleone
Al Pacino Michael Corleone
James Caan Sonny Corleone
John Cazale Fredo Corleone
Robert Duvall Tom Hagen
Diane Keaton Kay Adams
Sterling Hayden McCluskey
Richard Conte Barzini
Talia Shire Connie Corleone
Al Lettieri Sollozzo
Al Martino Johnny Fontane
Lenny Montana Luca Brasi
Rudy Bond Cuneo
Richard Bright Neri
Richard S. Castellano Clemenza
Franco Citti Calo
Carmine Coppola Piano Player (uncredited)
Sofia Coppola Baby (uncredited)
Salvatore Corsitto Bonasera
Corrado Gaipa Don Tommasino
Tony Giorgio Bruno Tattaglia
Julie Gregg Sandra Corleone
Angelo Infanti Fabrizio
Morgana King Mama Corleone
Jeannie Linero Lucy Mancini
Tere Livrano Theresa Hagen
John Marley Jack Woltz
John Martino Paulie Gatto
Victor Rendina Phillip Tattaglia
Alex Rocco Moe Greene
Gianni Russo Carlo Rizzi
Vito Scotti Nazorine
Ardell Sheridan Mrs. Clemenza
Joe Spinell Willy Cicci (uncredited)
Simonetta Stefanelli Apollonia
Saro Urzi Vitelli
Abe Vigoda Tessio
Carlo Savina Conductor
Technical Credits
Francis Ford Coppola Director, Screenwriter
Paul R. Baxley Jr. Stunts
Sass Bedig Special Effects
Michael Chapman Camera Operator
Warren Clymer Art Director
A.D. Flowers Special Effects
Gray Fredrickson Associate Producer
Fred T. Gallo Asst. Director
Louis Di Giaimo Casting
Charles Grenzbach Sound/Sound Designer
Anna Hill Johnstone Costumes/Costume Designer
Marc Laub Editor
Joe Lombardi Special Effects
Christopher Newman Sound/Sound Designer
Mario Puzo Screenwriter
William H. Reynolds Editor
Philip Rhodes Makeup
Fred Roos Casting
Nino Rota Score Composer
Albert S. Ruddy Producer
Carlo Savina Musical Direction/Supervision
Phil Smith Set Decoration/Design
Dick Smith Makeup Special Effects
Murray Solomon Editor
Dean Tavoularis Production Designer
Gordon Willis Cinematographer
Peter Zinner Editor
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Scene Index

Disc #1 -- The Godfather
1. I Believe in America [:24]
2. The Wedding [:42]
3. Johnny Fontaine [6:25]
4. Tom Hagen Goes to Hollywood [1:06]
5. Meeting With Sollozzo [7:33]
6. Shooting of Don Corleone [1:52]
7. Luca Brasi Sleeps With the Fishes [5:37]
8. Michael at the Hospital [3:21]
9. It's Strictly Business [4:25]
10. How's the Italian Food in This Restaurant? [2:50]
11. The Don Returns Home [4:47]
12. The Thunderbolt [1:09]
13. Sonny Gives Carlo a Warning [6:21]
14. Michael Marries Apollonia [2:13]
15. I Don't Want His Mother to See Him This Way [5:25]
16. Apollonia's Murder [4:00]
17. We Are All Reasonable Men Here [3:46]
18. The Don Puts Michael in Charge [6:39]
19. I'm Moe Green [1:03]
20. I Never Wanted This for You [6:00]
21. Baptism and Murder [1:56]
22. Don't Ask Me About My Business, Kay [7:34]
23. End Credits [4:39]
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Menu

Disc #1 -- The Godfather
   Play
   Set Up
      Audio Options: English 5.1 Surround
      Audio Options: English Mono
      Audio Options: Français
      Audio Options: Commentary by Francis Ford Coppola
      Subtitle Options: English
      Subtitle Options: Français
      Subtitle Options: Español
      Subtitle Options: None
   Scene Selection
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Customer Reviews

Average Rating 4.5
( 54 )
Rating Distribution

5 Star

(43)

4 Star

(6)

3 Star

(2)

2 Star

(2)

1 Star

(1)

Your Rating:

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See All Sort by: Showing 1 – 20 of 54 Customer Reviews

  • Posted October 1, 2010

    more from this reviewer

    I Also Recommend:

    Casino
    The Godfather Part II
    Traffic
    Scarface
    Goodfellas

    A true film

    Many movie productions get categorized under FILM and the unwarranted respect just from that certain title -- but The Godfather is the TRUTH. When it comes down to perfect acting, flawless direction and character growth, this film has it all. First, Brando's performance is spectacular. From his voice to his his body language, The Don is untouchable during this film. Secondly, up and coming actor (at that time) Al Pacino delivers his most remarkable and unforgettable character yet. Truly a genius with a gift for acting right from the beginning. Thirdly, Francis Ford Coppola's cinematic directorial talent shines as he uses the proper close-ups of the actors at the perfect time and chooses the right angle to portay the mood of each scene resonates as simply fantastic. Lastly, that iconic song. Undeniably the most popular song in American film. Just a single note and you know what's on TV in the other room. Most importantly though, are the lessons learned from The Godfather. Lines like, "Don't ever takes sides with anyone against the Family again, ever." And "I'll make him an offer he can't refuse", prove the importance of loyalty in life. Released in 1972, this *film* stands alone and unscathed as a true monument of superb filmmaking.

    3 out of 3 people found this review helpful.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted September 9, 2003

    The best american movie {running neck and neck with Godfather Part II} ever made.

    Thank you Francis Ford Coppola. Now America has 2 unbeatable forces {along with Godfather Part II} that will forever change the face of movies forever {sorry Citizen Kane, Casablanca, etc.}. I really must express my gratitude to you Coppola and admit that if these movies were any better, we would have forces as powerful as god himself.

    2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted September 22, 2000

    WE ARE FAMILY...CORLEONE'S RULE IN ''GF-1''

    ''Fredo, you're my older brother and I love you,'' says a stoid Michael Corleone. ''But don't ever take sides against the family again...Ever!''The Corleone family rules in what is arguably the greatest American film of the last 50 or 100 years. It was Brando's last truly great role and a start of greatness for Pacino, Caan and Duvall. This is a film where you know the dialogue and you mouth it with every viewing. It's a stunner. You see Pacino's transformation from college professor Michael Corleone to Ivy League killer as a celluloid miracle, but also as an actor's spawning. It's the smaller roles than garner attention: Al Martino as Johnny Fontaine, Richard Conti as Bartzini, Abe Vigoda as Tessio...because they create the landscape for the main characters.Coppola has a masterwork that only grows better with time like the wine in Clemenza's spaghetti sauce.

    2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted September 5, 2003

    Nice

    It is much better if you read first the book before watching it. I didnt exactly enjoy the movie because it was full of conversation, however, I am curious about Mafias' and stuff about them. My brother is the one who told me what Godfather is really all about. As I was reading the book by Mario Puzo, I realize that it was a good novel. I like the Corleone's, from Sonny to Michael and even their father Vito. It was a good movie, full of action and creativity of Mario Puzo.

    1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted August 7, 2003

    Godfather

    When I first watched this a movie, I thought, ''What's so great about this movie?'' But when I watched the movie for the second time, I had a different opinion this time. There isn't much to say other than the fact that it deserved to win an academy award for best picture and #3 on the AFI's 100 best American movies of all time.

    1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

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  • Posted October 1, 2010

    more from this reviewer

    I Also Recommend:

    French Connection
    Grand Illusion
    The Friends of Eddie Coyle
    The McKenzie Break

    An Offer You Can Refuse

    Based upon the trashy potboiler by overrated novelist Mario Puzo, "The Godfather" rises light years above it's source,but still has far too many problems to be a completely satisfying vehicle. The plot involving the inner mechanics of a Mafia family (in both senses of the word) has far too many similarities to Martin Ritt's earlier "The Brotherhood" for comfort, and with the exception of Gordon Willis' stylishly dark cinematography and a series of well-executed, but brutal killings, there isn't alot to recommend this above dozens of far better executed gangster dramas. The casting is a critical flaw. While Brando fares fairly well in what amounts to a supporting role, the fine textures woven by James Caan, Richard Castellano, Abe Vigoda, Sterling Hayden and Robert Duvall are almost completely undone by a young Al Pacino, completely devoid of charisma and unconvincing as a hang-dog brooding Michael Corleone. Even more disastrous is Diane Keaton as his girlfriend-then-wife Kay. Structurally, the film calls for the elimination of it's most interesting characters and events, to instead concentrate on the irritating Pacino. Reputation aside, the details of the workings of the Mafia were far more impressively sketched even in such films as "The Valachi Papers". The score by the great Nino Rota is also,surprisingly, by rote. In reality, the epic feel of "The Godfather" can be explained solely by it's extravagant length (it's "revelations" about the Mafia being a mirror to American corporate corruption etc. etc. are obvious and, again, better explored in other films), but does not excuse it's sloppily handled disappearance of central characters and truncated sub-plots shoddily dealt with; a perfect example being the move to Las Vegas (central to the sequel), more finely detailed even in Puzo's original book. The direction of Francis Ford Coppola is choppy; sometimes impressive, but more often concerned with potent set-pieces instead of a unified whole. His penchant for climatic ritualistic killings continued in both subsequent "Godfather" films, displaying a shocking poverty of directoral imagination.

    0 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

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  • Posted October 1, 2010

    more from this reviewer

    A Movie You Can't Refuse

    This is one of my favorite movies ever. Even though it's about three hours long, I've seen it over 500 times. The story grabs you right from the beginning and doesn't let go of you, not even after it's over. As for the acting in this - simply awesome! Brando, Pacino, Caan, Duvall, Keaton - all of them are incredible in this. Plus, it's not only a mob movie with crime and violence; it's also about power, family values, and respect. If you've never seen it, you're truly missing out on one of the best movies ever made.

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  • Posted October 1, 2010

    One of my favorite movies!

    I saw Marlon Brando for the first time in THE GODFATHER and I must say it is one of the better performances that I have ever seen in a movie. No wonder people talk about him as being a movie legend.<BR/><BR/>The movie itself is extremely powerful.<BR/><BR/>Al Pacino is fantastic in it. So are James Caan and John Cazale.<BR/><BR/>Screenwriter-director Francis Ford Coppola did an outstanding job of telling this story, based on the novel by Mario Puzzo, about a gangster father and his three sons. It was like a Greek tragedy all the way.<BR/><BR/>I would see this again and again.

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  • Posted October 1, 2010

    I Also Recommend:

    The Godfather Part II

    I'll pass on Godfather III.

    What is there to say? I and II are classic movies.

    0 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted October 1, 2010

    Citizen Kane?

    Everyone tries to rave that Citizen Kane is undoubtably the greatest motion picture of all time. I'm sorry. No movie has ever stood the test of time like The Godfather. The acting is 2nd class to none! Brando, Pachino, Duvall, Cane, Shire......it really is still mesmerizing to think that Paramount was inches away from firing Coppola. My favorite movie of all time......by miles.

    0 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted October 1, 2010

    good story but long

    I really liked this movie. The story it told was very good and I liked the way it was told. The only reason I gave this only four stars was because of the length of the movie which i felt was a little long

    0 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted October 1, 2010

    not as good as everyone says

    don't get me wrong, this movie was really good. But when everyone says this is one of the greatest movies ever made, I have a very hard time understanding why. The story is really good and everything, but I just can't comprehend why everyone thinks it's so far superior to any other gangsta movies.

    0 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted October 1, 2010

    not as good as everybody says

    what is all the fuss about? i mean, seriously, what is all the fuss about? this movie was oookay, i guess. kind of long and boring. the second one is kind of good when al pacino is killing everybody but the rest of it has subtitles and seriously, who wants to read all that? the third one is probably the best. that's the one where the guy stabs the other guy in the eye with HIS OWN GLASSES! which is an awesome scene. overall, just overrated.

    0 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted October 1, 2010

    The Godfather

    The first of the series of three box office hits was released in 1972. The story is about Vito Corleone, the head of a Mafia family in New York, who runs a very tight family business. The movie begins with Vito’s daughter's wedding and his son Michael, who has just come home from WWII. Michael does not wish to become a part of the violent family business but is forced to after Don Vito is shot by Virgil Sollozzo’s hit men for refusing to protect his drug dealing business. The shooting results in an explosion of a violent mafia war between the Corleone’s and the responsible men. I enjoyed this movie very much. Once you sit down to watch it, you cannot leave. Great plot, acting, casting, and writing made this movie an instant classic. Rated on the top 5 movies on many top movie lists, the Godfather has been a hit with many generations over time.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted October 1, 2010

    To the Family

    I have always thought of this book as remarkable. Probably Coppola's best. Marlon Brando offered his last truly recognizeable film performance. I assume this film might be based on Frank Costello or the Genovese family, so this film did not have the stilted effect that later Mafia films had. Made Robert Deniro, Robert Duvall and Al Pacino into the most hallowed positions in Hollywood.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted October 1, 2010

    THE GODFATHER Makes You an Offer You Can't Refuse!

    Watching this film is an offer you can't refuse, unless of course, you want to sleep with the fishes! There aren't enough 'STARS' offered to rate this film. Brando is simply outstanding as the patriarch of a Sicilian crime family. Pacino is likewise excellent as the youngest son who demonstrates he can provide the Corleone family with continuing leadership. The film is superb in all regards, Plot, Cinematography, Acting, Musical Score, Action... everything. An American classic. Don't miss this one!

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  • Anonymous

    Posted October 1, 2010

    one of the best movies

    everything about this film is a treasure-the plot, the actors, the music!

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  • Anonymous

    Posted October 1, 2010

    the best mobster collection ever!!!

    beats scarface casino bronx tale boss of bosses everything its the best of the best in my book

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  • Anonymous

    Posted October 1, 2010

    The best film ever made.

    Ive never seen so many phenominal acting all in one movie than in Godfather. A great movie based on a great book.

    0 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted October 1, 2010

    One of the Greatest Films of all time.

    Almost every scene in the Godfather is breathtaking. Many men today watch the film over and over again, always anticipating the sequence with Al Pacino's bloody confronation with his rivals. The Godfather will be praised and savored for decades to come!

    0 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

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See All Sort by: Showing 1 – 20 of 54 Customer Reviews