The Godfather

Gregory Lopez
Film History Journal
The Godfather
1) The Godfather, which is generally viewed as one of the best American films ever made, is a classic cinema: one of the most widely respected movies of all time. Marlon Brando and Al Pacino star as Vito Corleone and his youngest son, Michael. It is the late 1940s in New York and Corleone is, in the life of organized crime, a "godfather" or "don," the head of a Mafia family. Michael, a free spirit who disobeyed his father by enlisting in the Marines to fight in World War II, has returned a captain and a war hero. Having long ago excluded himself from the family business, Michael shows up at the wedding of his sister, Connie with his non-Italian girlfriend, Kay who learns for the first time about the family "business." A few months later around Christmas time, the don barely survives after being shot by gunmen in the service of a drug-trafficking rival whose request for aid from the Corleones' political connections was prohibited. After saving his father from a second assassination attempt, Michael convinces his eldest brother, Sonny, and family advisors Tom Hagen and Sal Tessio that he should be the one to execute revenge on the men responsible. After murdering a crooked police captain and the drug trafficker, Michael hides out in Sicily while a gang war explodes at home. Falling in love with a local girl, Michael marries her, but she is later assassinated by Corleone enemies in an attempt to kill Michael. Sonny is also exterminated, having been betrayed by Connie's husband. When Michael returns home and convinces Kay to marry him, his father recovers and makes peace with his rivals, realizing that another powerful don was pulling the strings behind the narcotics endeavor that began the gang warfare. Once Michael has been presented as the new don, he leads the family to a new era of affluence, and then launches a war of murderous revenge against those who once tried to annihilate the Corleones.
2) http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0068646/
3) The article basically describes the events that occur in the movie. It talks about the plot and important themes present in the movie that made it such a classic. In addition, it puts into perspective the “life” of the Corleone family and the world of organized crime that they indulged in.
4) In the Godfather, the story arises as Don Vito Corleone, the head of a New York Mafia "family", watches over his daughter's wedding. His beloved son Michael has just come home from World War 2, but does not intend to become part of his father's business. Throughout Michael's life, the nature of the family business becomes clear. The business of the family is benevolent to those who give respect, but ruthless and violent whenever anything stands against or in the way of the good of the family. Don Vito lives his life in the way of the old country, but times are changing and some don't want to follow the old ways and look out for family An up and coming rival of the Corleone family wants to start selling drugs in New York, and needs the Don's influence to further his plan. The Don declines and the clash of the Don's diminishing old country values and the new ways will become horrible at his own expense. Like anyone who has seen the Godfather and appreciates classic films, all I can say about this film is that it’s brilliant. From the cast to the cinematography, every moment of the movie will keep you guessing and craving for more. The variety of themes and genres present in the movie is staggering, which makes it a universal classic, which can be respected and valued by people of all ages.