The Godfather 1972

     This film was adapted from a novel written by Mario Puzo.  The setting is between 1945 and 1955.  Vito Corelone is hearing requests in his role as the Godfather, the Don of a New York crime family.  The occasion is the wedding of Vito’s daughter.  Michael is his youngest son and he introduces his girlfriend Kay Adams to his family.  One request for the Godfather is a movie role for Johnny Fontane, the godson of Vito.  His consigliore Tom Hagen is dispatched to California to discuss the movie role.  The Tattaglia crime family asks Don Corelone for an investment and protection for his narcotic business.  A refusal by the Godfather sets off open warfare.  Vito’s three sons fear for their safety and Vito is sent to the hospital with many gunshot wounds.  Michael has stayed out of the family business but he realizes he needs to accept the position of the Godfather in the place of Vito.

     There is a lot going on in this film.  I liked the plot and the characters.  There are squabbles among the Corelone family and more difficult problems between the other crime families.  You don’t know who will be killed in the next scene.  I didn’t watch this film before because I didn’t want to see one of the scenes with the Hollywood director who refused to give Johnny Fontane the film role.  4* (I really liked this movie)

175 min, Crime directed by Francis Ford Coppola with Marlon Brando, Al Pacino, James Caan, Richard S. Castellano, Sterling Hayden, John Marley, Richard Conte, Al Lettieri, Diane Keaton, Abe Vigoda, Talia Shire, Gianni Russo, John Cazale, Rudy Bond.

Note:  Imdb 9.2 out of 10, 99% critic 98% audience on Rotten Tomatoes, Roger Ebert 4*, Amazon 4.7* out of 5* with 1272 reviews.

Special Note:  Filmed in Forza d’Agro, Messina, Catania and Savoca, Sicily, Italy; New York City, Long Island, Bronx, Manhattan, New York; Jersey City, New Jersey; Las Vegas, Nevada; Los Angeles, Beverly Hills,  Ross, California.  The film technicians told James Caan that they had never attached that many squibs to anyone before.  Squibs replicate gunshots and hits.