If someone makes you an offer you can’t refuse, you should probably accept it.

Released

in 1972, The Godfather was one of director Francis Ford Coppola’s first major productions. A

film opening up the mafia genre, it has cemented itself in American culture. Following the

Corleone criminal family, an inside look into the dark side of 20th century Italian New York life

is revealed. The Godfather is an outstanding film due to its unforgettable cinematography,

remarkable original score, and award-winning acting.

The cinematography within The Godfather is unforgettable. The film sets itself in New

York City, post World War II. During this time, mafia and gangster activity was widespread,

Gambling, narcotics, arms selling, and more illegal activity brought in hefty profits. To paint this

mid 20th century world, Coppola put in tremendous effort. Period automobiles, reflective

fashion, historical building style, and more are put to use to create a more than convincing 1940’s

environment. Through this memorable scenery and evoking imagery, The Godfather elicits

unforgettable cinematography.

To sell an Italian gangster movie, a proper score is expected to accompany it. Coppola

sought to create a perfect musical underscore for the film to increase the intensity of scenes as

well as bolster the motif of a “Forties” setting. Hiring Nino Rota, the production team

collaborated in Rome to produce an authentic Italian theme that would correlate with the

Sicillian Corleone family. Tracks varied from content Etruscan summer days to intense Big

Apple criminal confrontations. Winning an Oscar for Original Score, the music behind The

Godfather propelled its success and assisted in deepening the effect every scene had.

The writers make the script, but the actors make a movie. And this film had no scarcity of

talent. Marlon Brando, Al Pacino, Andy Garcia, Diane Keaton, and more Hollywood stars grace

the movie. Renown quotes such as “Never go against the family”, and “It’s not personal Sonny,
it’s strictly business” tell you exactly what the characters are feeling, and how their messages are

carried out subtly. A great example of acting selling a scene is when Michael Corleone, the new

Godfather, or chief, or the mafia meets with Carlo, his little sister’s abusive husband. Using only

a slow, peaceful speech and a dead look in his eyes, Michael strikes real fear into Carlo without

any real threat. Al Pacino as Michael prefers subtlety to action, acting out multiple scenes using

just expression and feel. His father, Vito Corleone, being able to command a room with nothing

more than a look, shows how deserved Marlon Brando’s Oscar was for his methodological

acting.

The Godfather has cemented itself in American culture for many more reasons than the

few listed above. By being created by passionate directing, acting, and production, an amazing

film was able to influence a generation. For all its film defining sequences and practices still

revered today, The Godfather is a truly outstanding film.