The Godfather

It was only the silver screen that finally allowed me to feel the greatness of this gem, which, in the limited and shallow surface of the TV screen, always felt kind of convoluted and without the depth of some of Coppola's other works. It was, of course, a mistake. The Godfather is an extraordinarily robust epic, a purely narrative film whose monumentality is full of fine details and scenes constructed with architectural precision (the way the director masterfully combines different elements of storytelling to amplify intense tension is unique). It cannot be consumed in parts, it cannot be turned off. Coppola is intense, the scenes logically blend into each other (the interlining edit is not self-serving), and it is fascinating to watch the transformations of characters who seem to have aged with the film and radically reshaped themselves internally. The Godfather is "film-life," a radical manifesto of a fictional time that, with its grip and power, can completely control the current time. A captivating, contemplative experience that really needs this great canvas. (12/01/2011)

I give you an offer you cannot refuse. Either you watch The Godfather and get to see the zenith of filmmaking craft or... No comment. But in that case, don’t be surprised if you find a part of a horse in your bed this evening. As an adaptation of the book, I give this “only" four stars, but as a movie in its own right, it must get a full five. (04/08/2004)

The Godfather is not only the best gangster saga, but also the best film about the games of men and the fate of women, and Al Pacino is the best actor I know. He can act with his eyes without even moving an eyebrow. I will never forget the look he gave Appolonia when he gave her the necklace during the courtship, or when he observed his adversaries at Don Corleone's funeral. Fantastico! Fenomenale! (19/10/2003)

A story of gigantic proportions, its adaptation into a screenplay undoubtedly required a very skillful hand. Coppola’s direction is excellent, the pace is indeed very slow, but the scenes from Sicily are captivating and overshadow the relative feeling of emptiness from the beginning of the film. There are many characters and someone who hasn't read the book, will need to see the film multiple times. The performances by the actors are stunning. Above all, Al Pacino's transformation is masterfully portrayed. The enormous running time, of course, is understandable and most likely it couldn't have been done differently. The action is nothing special, but that can be overlooked. The relationships between the characters are well depicted, but in my opinion, The Godfather is not the best mafia movie of all time. (12/04/2004)

Puzo's book was once recommended to me by my grandmother and, it completely captivated me. I felt the atmosphere of the family and from the first page it was as though I already knew them all - it felt like they were my own family. Still, I was a little worried about what the movie would end up being like, but Coppola handled the adaptation perfectly. He preserved the atmosphere, honed all the details, and, with amazing precision, made sure to keep the fans of the original happy. Marlon Brando, as Don Vito, made an indelible mark on cinema history, and Al Pacino gave one of the best performances of his career. The Godfather is a legend, and I'm glad I finally got to see it. (06/10/2006)