The Godfather

1. After viewing The Godfather I learned that the title was not about Don Vito Corleone, but about the change that takes place in his son Michael Corleone into the Godfather. This change takes place slowly over the course of this three hour film and we do not see the full transformation of Michael until the closing scene when he is accepted by others as Don Corleone. One of the most prevalent themes in the film is the value of family and the scenes are scripted from within this family. We do not get an outside point of view in the film. This inside POV creates justification of the family’s violent actions. In some instances we even feel bad for the Corleone family as members of the family die, either through violence or other events. As Roger Ebert stated, “we see not a single actual civilian victim of organized crime.” All of the violence is directed at the people within the five head families. Strangers are not injured and the women are not involved. One exception is when Michael’s wife in Italy is killed when the car bomb went off. This bomb was intended for Michael though. The film provides insight into the lives of mafia members. This is a perspective that we would not otherwise be provided.

2. The Godfather was released in March 1972 and was “directed by an unknown eccentric called Francis Ford Coppola,” wrote Desson Howe, a staff writer for The Washington Post. In his review of The Godfather, Howe noted that this was the first film to top $100 million in its initial release. The movie also catapulted the careers of many of the actors, including Al Pacino, Robert Duvall, James Caan, Diane Keaton and Talia Shire. A friend of Coppola, George Lucas, tried to sway him from producing this film. Howe noted that Coppola wanted to transform the way Hollywood films were made. Lucas felt that this film was not the way to do so and he was so wrong. Al Pacino played Michael Corleone, the apple of his father’s eye, who had been kept out of the family business. Michael’s father, “Don Vito Corleone, is a benevolent figure who rights the wrongs of his friends and relatives.” Michael makes the shift into the family business while standing at the bedside of his father in the hospital. This change is verbalized through the lines “I’m with you now.” The movie is an “epic tragedy about America, capitalism, family, greed, treachery and love. Coppola showed us the errors of hasty vengeance and the wisdom of assured leadership.” Desson Howe’s full review can be viewed through the following link : http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/style/longterm/movies/videos/godfatherhowe.htm
3. Having viewed the film The Godfather I can agree that George Lucas was very wrong on his take on the impact the production would have on Hollywood cinema. The film is incredible, even at its length. We see the greed, love and the value of family. It is also clear how hasty vengeance can create more violence, especially when dealing with the mafia. The strong cast only enhanced the success of the film.
4. The Godfather is an incredibly violent film, with 23 on screen deaths, that invites us into the lives of the members of the Corleone family. Sympathy is felt for this family as they choose to not deal with the horrors of other mafia families like drugs and prostitution. The central family is highly valued in this film and protected. The immense amount of violence is justified, especially when Connie’s brother, Sonny, sets out to kill her husband who had been beating her. Unfortunately, Sonny is brutally murdered with numerous gunshots. Eventually, Connie’s husband is killed when Michael sends people out to get him. The murder serves as punishment for putting his hands on a female and for having Sonny murdered. The entire film shows killings that are justified through the reason that sparked the hate. In no other way up until the release of the film are we shown the inside point of view of a mafia family. Mafia families are viewed by the outside world as full of violence and nothing more. This inside point of view that was scripted in this screenplay shows us that these families are full of love and compassion. They care greatly about the members of their family and with the Corleone’s viewpoint they are careful not to involve those who have nothing to do with the family business. Michael is someone who, initially, was not involved. He was an American war hero and did not seem to have what it took to lead the Corleone family. After an attempt to kill his father, Michael makes the progressive change into the family business. This change provides a cause for the name of the film and shows the viewers that the title is actually not about Don Vito Corleone, which is what I thought it was about. I had never before had an urge to watch The Godfather Trilogy until now. I am happy I had to watch the film. It is true Hollywood cinema.