The Godfather’s 50th Anniversary
The Godfather is one of the most celebrated movies of all time since its release in 1972. It spurred the careers of many of the most acclaimed actors in American cinema, including Al Pacino and the late James Caan. It tells the story of the Corleones, a fictional crime family, after the Second World War. It also revived the career of Marlon Brando, who had been underperforming in his later years. People flocked in droves to watch the movie, and some of the most iconic lines in the past century were born out of its script.

The movie was a best-seller with an adjusted $742 million, making it the highest-grossing mafia movie ever. This monetary return revived Paramount Pictures, which was on the verge of going bankrupt. It also incentivized the production of The Godfather 2, an equally lauded film.

The Godfather was also regarded as a cinematic masterpiece at its release, with its use of pace to create tension and shot framing so that certain emotions could be felt through the camera. As Vachan Patel (Grade 12) says, “[T]he pacing is perfect, it moves fast but feels like it stays patient at the same time.” Another aspect of the film which is heavily recognized is the acting. Marlon Brando won the Oscar for Best Actor, while Al Pacino, James Caan, and Robert Duvall were also nominated for Oscars. Brando, a method actor, was amazing at embodying the character, a powerful but intelligent mafia boss. Al Pacino and James Caan’s range of emotions were selling points for their characters. Arnav Chokshi (Grade 12) agrees, saying that “Al Pacino is so good in this movie. Especially the part when he is completely transformed at the end.”

Another way The Godfather influenced the film industry was its popularization of the sequel genre, which is seen in almost every large film today. Dr. Ice (Math) agrees, as she says, “[The Godfather] mixed rich cinematography and great music score. Also, it reinforced the sequel genre.” Film series such as the Marvel Cinematic Universe and the Fast and Furious series may not have existed if not for the precedent set by The Godfather.

The effects of the Godfather on movies today can be seen on almost every level of production, from high-budget action thrillers to slow-paced dramas. Even though its impact isn’t always recognized by younger generations, it will continue to be important, even 50 years later.

The Godfather movie picture,
from IMDbhttps://docs.google.com/document/d/1t4YkqbGZMccZv8773LL1Hc8Y4aHvMKSlU6fy9mzZ9pI/edit?usp=sharing