Vito is reluctantly introduced to a life of crime by his neighbor Peter Clemenza, but takes the leadership role once Vito assassinates a local neighborhood gangster Don Fanucci.ĭe Niro’s performance is brilliant because throughout the transformation, he remains humble and devoid of ego, and this storyline retains the same romanticism from the first film as opposed to the darker storyline belonging to Michael Corleone. We watch as De Niro delivers a restrained and subtle performance of a hard-working immigrant who struggles to raise his small family after losing his job. Just like Brando, De Niro would go on and win an Oscar, this time for Best Supporting Actor and is the only American actor to win an Oscar by reciting his dialogue in a foreign language. Robert De Niro takes the mantle from Brando and accomplishes the same acting feat by becoming a younger Vito Corleone his performance is just as powerful as Brando’s, and being a method actor, De Niro lived in Sicily prior to filming to learn the local dialect. The young boy travels to America, living the immigrant experience all by himself, and Vito’s last name is changed from Andolini to Corleone during a clerical error when he arrives at Ellis Island. The sequel tells the story of how a young Vito Andolini escapes certain death in his birthplace of Corleone, Sicily after his mother and father are murdered by a local Mafia Don. The performance transcends the craft of acting, because Brando disappears and the viewer actually believes Don Vito Corleone is a living breathing person instead of an actor playing a role. Marlon Brando’s portrayal of Don Corleone is one for the ages.
How long is the godfather 1 movie movie#
“The Godfather” romanticized the life of organized crime by telling the story as a family drama while “The Godfather: Part II”, released in 1974, gives an unflinching look at the dark side of power and vice, giving the sequel a more realistic portrayal of the Mafia, and making the second movie the superior film in the “Godfather” trilogy. The up and coming director at the time overcame huge obstacles and created a piece of art that has entertained cinephiles for decades, but Coppola’s greatest accomplishment was creating a sequel that, on many levels, surpassed the original masterpiece. Coppola’s sister Talia Shire, who plays the character Connie in the film, had this say about the uncertainty and chaos in the first film’s production: “No one knew when you were going to be fired on the first movie, so the thing is get enough footage in the can, keep going, keep shooting.” The studio also didn’t want to make “The Godfather” a period piece and instead of taking place in New York, the executives wanted the story to take place in Kansas City. The studio also disapproved of his choices of actors, especially Marlon Brando and Al Pacino, and Coppola had to fight hard to get both men cast in their now iconic roles. It’s surprising that Francis Ford Coppola was able to deliver such a powerful film with all the pressure he was under at the time the studio behind the film wanted to fire Coppola, and a replacement director was present on set during a good duration of the production waiting to take over if Coppola was axed. Film critics have also hailed the movie as a masterpiece in cinematic storytelling. The movie would go on to become the highest grossing film of the year, and won Oscars for Best Picture, Best Actor for Marlon Brando, and Best Adapted Screenplay for Mario Puzo and Francis Ford Coppola. It plays somewhat like a Shakespearean tragedy as the youngest son, who’s been shielded from the family business of organized crime, must assume power as the Godfather to protect and keep his family together. Film critics and historians all agree that “The Godfather”, released in 1972, is one of the greatest films ever made.