The story begins as Don Vito Corleone the head of a New York Mafia family oversees his daughters wedding with his wife Wendy. His beloved son Michael has just come home from the war but does not intend to become part of his fathers business. Through Michaels life the nature of the family business becomes clear. The business of the family is just like the head of the family kind and benevolent to those who give respect but given to ruthless violence whenever anything stands against the good of the family. Don Vito lives his life in the way of the old country but times are changing and some dont want to follow the old ways and look out for community and family. An up and coming rival of the Corleone family wants to start selling drugs in New York and needs the Dons influence to further his plan. The clash of the Dons fading old world values and the new ways will demand a terrible price especially from Michael all for the sake of the family.
Review
Rather than concentrating on everything that is great about The Godfather a much easier way for me to judge its quality is on what is bad about it. Almost every film has something that I dont like about it but I can honestly say that I wouldnt change anything about The Godfather. There is nothing weak about it and nothing that stands out as bad. Thats why it gets ten out of ten.
This is one of those films that made me wonder why I hadnt seen it earlier. The acting from everyone involved is great Marlon Brando comes across perfectly as the head of the family and James Caan and Al Pacino are excellent as his sons. The soundtrack by Nino Rota is also very memorable bringing back memories of the film every time I hear it. The plot has to be excellent for it to get ten out of ten and it is its far from predictable and the film is the definition of a great epic.
The film is pretty shocking in the way every death occurs almost instantaneously and as it spans ten years so many different things happen and every minute of it is great entertainment. Its a wellmade and entertaining film that is only the first part of a trilogy but it stands on its own as a wonderful film in its own right. If you havent seen it what are you waiting for This was one acclaimed film that didnt disappoint.