Behind the Scenes of Your Favorite Movie: The Godfather

From left: Producer Al Ruddy, Marlon Brando and Francis Ford Coppola film Vito’s assassination attempt scene for The Godfather. When the film premiered on NBC over two nights from 9–11 p.m., the New York City municipal water authorities had issues with too many toilets in the city flushing at the same time after the film ended. PARAMOUNT PICTURES/RONALD GRANT ARCHIVE/ALAMY

Behind the Scenes of Your Favorite Movie: The Godfather

The Godfather is a classic American crime film directed by Francis Ford Coppola and based on the novel of the same name by Mario Puzo. Released in 1972, the film stars Marlon Brando, Al Pacino, and James Caan, and follows the Corleone family, a powerful New York Mafia dynasty. The Godfather is considered one of the greatest films in world cinema and has had a lasting impact on the film industry. In this blog, we'll take a look behind the scenes of the making of The Godfather.

The Concept and Development of The Godfather

The Godfather was originally a novel by Mario Puzo, published in 1969. The novel was optioned for film by Paramount Pictures, who sought out a director for the project. Francis Ford Coppola was initially hesitant to take on the project, but after reading the novel, he saw the potential for a epic crime drama that explored themes of family, power, and loyalty.

Coppola worked closely with Puzo to adapt the novel into a screenplay, and together they added several key scenes and characters to flesh out the story and create a rich and complex world. Coppola also worked to ensure that the film would have a strong visual style, inspired by the films of classic Hollywood.

Casting the Characters

One of the most iconic aspects of The Godfather is its talented cast of actors. Marlon Brando was cast as the head of the Corleone family, Vito Corleone, and Al Pacino was cast as his son Michael. James Caan, Richard S. Castellano, Robert Duvall, Sterling Hayden, John Marley, Richard Conte, Diane Keaton, and Abe Vigoda rounded out the supporting cast.

Brando's performance as Vito Corleone is considered one of the greatest in film history, and he won the Academy Award for Best Actor for his role in the film. Meanwhile, Pacino's turn as Michael marked a turning point in his career, establishing him as one of the leading actors of his generation.

Filming The Godfather

Filming of The Godfather took place over the course of several months in 1971. The film was shot on location in New York and Sicily, and the production was plagued by several challenges, including weather delays, budget overruns, and conflicts with the actors.

Despite these difficulties, Coppola was able to create a visually stunning film, thanks in part to the cinematography of Gordon Willis. Willis's use of shadow and light helped to create a moody and atmospheric film that captured the essence of the world of the Corleone family.

Legacy of The Godfather

The Godfather was a critical and commercial success upon its release, and it remains one of the most beloved films in the world today. The film won three Academy Awards, including Best Picture, and it has been widely imitated and parodied in the decades since its release.

The Godfather also had a lasting impact on the film industry, influencing a generation of filmmakers and helping to establish the crime genre as a major force in American cinema. Today, The Godfather is considered one of the greatest films ever made, and its legacy continues to shape the way we think about movies and storytelling.

References

1. The Godfather. Directed by Francis Ford Coppola, performances by Marlon Brando, Al Pacino, and James Caan, Paramount Pictures, 1972.
2. Puzo, Mario. The Godfather. G.P. Putnam's Sons, 1969.