Hospital scene analysis i was particulary interested in the scene where vito corleone has recently been severely shot and hospitalized and is at a local hospital for recuperation. The godfather appeared at a turbulent time, when racial tensions flared, crime rates rose, young people indulged in sex and drugs, and an unpopular war. Released in 1972, francis ford coppolas the godfather has gone on to become on of the most critically acclaimed, highest grossing american films in cinematic history. The godfather essays are academic essays for citation. Mccarty 2004 is a useful introduction for a general audience, as are cowie 1997 and lebo 2005, who also provide information that will be of interest and relevance to film students. The movie begins with bonasera, a man seeking a favor, visiting don corleone in the godfather s home office. This gangster film displayed many transformations of permeating color to give the viewer observable cues in its mise en scene that drew one right into the movie. The godfather is simply more than just a mafia film in my opinion. So the godfather is about one man, vito, trying to retain that position in order for one of his sons. Lewis 2010 offers a detailed account of part i, and russo 2011 provides a thematic analysis of part ii. I believe in america, the opening line of the first godfather film famously goes.
And we should remember that in its day it was the most successful film there had ever been, as. This essay offers a critical analysis that will help in understanding the filmic and televisual adaptations with a focus on the novel and film, the godfather drawing from its cultural and social aspects. The godfather has little like babe ruth is to baseball, like john steinbeck is to writing, their is no doubt about it, the godfather is the greatest film of all time. There are a lot of ways editors can develop their trade textbooks, film school, mentors, and video tutorials. The don is so close to a comic character the movie itself is so close to comedy that brandos capacity to move us in the role is doubly impressive.
The godfather 1972 its no exaggeration to say that francis ford coppolas the godfather 1972 has moved beyond the realm of mere cinema to become a slice of american mythology. Filming the light and dark side of the godfather tested. The american film institute afi has the godfather listed at number two in 2008 as one of the greatest films in american culture today. Jan 27, 2020 remembering the godfather movie analysis, the blocking here helps tell the story. In scene after scene the long wedding sequence, john marleys bloody discovery in his bed, pacino nervously smoothing down his hair before a restaurant massacre, the godfather s collapse in a garden coppola crafted an enduring, undisputed masterpiece. Never before have we seen performances so stellar, by marlon brando, al pacino, james caan, robert duvall, and everyone else. The following analysis reveals a comprehensive look at the storyform for the godfather. Today for our film analysis of the godfather, were examining a pivotal. These papers were written primarily by students and provide critical analysis of the godfather by francis ford coppola. Before willis shot the godfather, movies were vastly overlit so they could be seen in the driveins and not disappear into the dark of the night. The movie producers feelings lead him to dedicate himself to preventing. The negative influence of coppolas the godfather the new. One of the great classic american films of the 20th century, the godfather, directed by the legendary francis ford coppola and based off of the novel of the same title by mario puzo is often considered to be the most influential film that created the organized crime or mafiagangster genre in cinemas. Morality, in all its contradictions some advice he cant refuse there is shockingly little written about the godfather in terms of critical textual analysis.
Specifically, it will focus on its cinematography, lighting techniques, editing style, sound, camera techniques, and acting. Its examples like that which demonstrate why all that jazz is critical viewing for any editors wanting to learn to leverage editing for resonating emotional storytelling. In 1975, he won the pulitzer prize for distinguished criticism. The godfather seems like a crime picture or a gangster movie. On march 15, 1972, the godfather was unveiled in theaters in new york city. Moving through the deep shadows and heavy glooms of his vast estate, michael corleone presides over the destruction of his own spirit in the godfather, part ii.
Because of its success at the box office and with film critics alike, the godfather garnered many academy award nominations and won four academy awards. The godfather just had its 45th anniversary, so what better time to share some things about it with you guys. As always, there are some bonus things in there too, so make sure you watch to the end. This study guide and infographic for mario puzos the godfather offer summary and analysis on themes, symbols, and other literary devices found in the text. To honor thy father we couldnt pass up an opportunity to sift through the three films and novel to find our favorite teachable moments. Francis ford coppolas the godfather epitomizes a classic movie. Analytical critique of the godfather i believe the reason that, the godfather, is such a great film is because it lets audiences decide whether they like the characters or not. The story is about the corleone family, which is headed by vito corleone. Because of the godfather, studios actually had to make two sets of prints, a lighter one for driveins, and a darker one for theaters.
The godfather shows how an orphaned sicilian immigrant rises to the top of organized crime in america and how his son, who at first shuns his fathers world, comes to embrace his fathers way. This extended family narrative rests on the shoulders of michael corleone, as he soon must balance a double life the legal side he strategically cultivated with his girlfriend kay diane. Although the godfather is a long, minutely detailed movie of some three hours, there naturally isnt time to go into the backgrounds and identities of such characters as clemenza, the family lieutenant. Critical analysis on godfather death, a fairy tale written by jacob ludwig grimm and wilhelm carl grimm this story is a german fairy tale translated by jacob ludwig grimm 17851863 and wilhelm. The opening scene in the godfather is of man pleading with don vito corleone marlon brando to hurt some men out of justice for his daughter. Although the movie was full of brutal violence and mass killing of people, it also showed the care, the love, and the loyalty of the corleone family members for each other. Before we jump into the godfather critical analysis, lets go through a. The goal of this essay to do an aesthetic analysis of the godfather movie. Is it a powerful story, brilliant direction, and strong acting performances. Michael seems to be uninterested in being a part of the family business. The blocking works, and it makes whats to come even more impactful.
Released in 1972, when hollywood was barely coming out of a big financial crisis, directed by a mostly unknown francis ford coppola, the godfather became one of the highest grossing films of its time. Too many movies made about organized crime begin with some seemingly random act of violence. Jul 31, 20 the very mode of analysis invoked by a seriesin which the parsing of character and study of intention take precedenceis the one for which the godfather seems to have been created, and. As a trio of crime dramas, its depiction of the mafia is understood to symbolize general corruption in american politics, though i will be carrying my analysis far beyond just that. Tom santopietro was 18 years old in 1972, when he saw the movie the godfather in a theater in his hometown of waterbury, connecticut. There are so many indelible moments in this movie, its hard to believe that executives at paramount pictures originally envisioned it as a quickie gangster flick. Thats why we sympathize with characters who are essentially evil. In august 1945, during the lavish wedding reception of his daughter connie, don vito corleone, head of a large new york crime family and godfather to the italianamerican community, listens to requests for favors, honoring a longstanding sicilian tradition that a father cannot refuse a request on his daughters wedding day. Or is it the interweaving of these key elements, plus something more. The godfather drawing from its cultural and social aspects. The aging patriarch of an organized crime dynasty transfers control of his clandestine empire to his reluctant son. At first sight, the godfather seems like a crime picture or a gangster movie.
Mar 26, 2016 the godfather is a trilogy of films by francis ford coppola, written by him and mario puzo, based on puzos 1969 novel. Most importantly, coppola was able to critically assess the influence, or lack thereof. Like other films from the period, it is critical of america, especially american politics and american capitalism. Not only is the film untainted by any poor scenes, the number of sensational ones are nearly countless. The godfather francis ford coppola movie analysis scenario. The godfather ends with michael getting his capos and. The wedding scene serves as critical exposition for the remainder of the film, as michael introduces the main characters to kay. In scene after scene the long wedding sequence, john marleys bloody discovery in his bed, pacino nervously smoothing down his hair before a restaurant massacre, the godfathers collapse in a garden coppola crafted an enduring, undisputed masterpiece. Read a plot overview of the entire film or a scene by scene summary and analysis. But willis cinematography was a bold step forward, changing the look of movies forever. Because of its success at the box office and with film critics alike, the godfather garnered many academy award nominations and won four.
All they have to do is agree to return the favorby means illegal or legal. Even if you watched this scene without the dialogue, you could tell sonnys in control initially while michael seems like an afterthought. The francis ford coppola film would go on to win three oscars at the 45th academy awards, including best picture. Main character critical flaw ending his life as a civilian by becoming the new godfather aids in the effort to achieve the objective story goal, however, it undermines michaels efforts to resolve his personal angst. The great highway, forest, kings castle, underground cave time. Brando made don vito something we rarely see in movies. Remembering the godfather movie analysis, the blocking here helps tell the story. Michaels separation and estrangement in the godfather. This man tells his story of his daughter being taken advantage of by some young men and it is indicated to the audience that this mans daughter was raped. Roger ebert was the film critic of the chicago suntimes from 1967 until his death in 20. Michael, vitos youngest son and a decorated ww ii marine is also present at the wedding.
One of the most critical and commercial successes of all time in cinema, the godfather showcases the talents of actors such as marlon brando, al pacino, james caan, robert duvall and diane keaton and mixes a variety of different genres. They say great movies should have a minimum of three great scenes and zero flaws well, if thats the criteria, the godfather has surpassed it in spades. Here we explore one of the central themes in the film the godfather, the american dream and how its reflected through both vito and micheal corleone and how that dream have changed over time. Analysis of the movie the godfather the godfather is most notably one of the most prolific films of its time. The godfather is an american film series that consists of three crime films directed. He explains that he always believed in america, and it treated him welluntil his daughter was beat up by her boyfriend and. The character we recall from the godfather as the best and brightest of don vitos sons, the one who went to college and enlisted in the marines, grows into a cold and ruthless man, obsessed with power. Adaptations are a critical aspect of the contemporary creative industries across the globe. Critical analysis on godfather death essay examples bartleby. The godfather has received critical acclaim and is seen as one of the greatest and most influential films of all time, particularly in the gangster genre. Fredo john cazale, michaels next older brother, is a bit dimwitted and quite drunk by the time he finds michael at the party. The godfather is a trilogy of films by francis ford coppola, written by him and mario puzo, based on puzos 1969 novel. One of the most critical and commercial successes of all time in cinema, the godfather showcases the talents of actors such as marlon brando, al pacino. In a playboy interview conducted after the godfather, part ii came out, coppola declared, like america, michael began as a clean, brilliant young man with incredible resources and believing in a humanistic idealism.
Scrutinize and reverse engineer exceptional works of editing. The mafia doesnt operate as a democracy, but a monarchy, with all the intrigues and rebellions that this involves. Mario puzos the godfather summary the godfather directed by francis ford coppola based on mario puzos novel the godfather was based in the late 1940s in new york city. The godfather trilogy cinema and media studies oxford. Jan 17, 2019 here we explore one of the central themes in the film the godfather, the american dream and how its reflected through both vito and micheal corleone and how that dream have changed over time. Francis ford coppolas gangster movie, the godfather, examines two views of the condemnation of the american dream and america, through the eyes of father and son through many specific aspects of drugs, conflicting views, and balance. Godfather death as told by margaret taylor is a short story about how fate is predetermined, and cannot be interfered with without consequences to another. Analytical critique of the godfather essay examples 922. The negative influence of coppolas the godfather the. Mar 15, 2017 on march 15, 1972, the godfather was unveiled in theaters in new york city. The film lived up to the term masterpiece which helped it win three academy awards for best actor, best picture, and best adapted screenplay. Don vito corleone marlon brando emerges as a sympathetic and even admirable character. The godfather don vito corleone is the head of the corleone mafia family in new york.
Music, film, tv and political news coverage the godfather. Released in 1972, when hollywood was barely coming out of a big financial crisis, directed by a mostly unknown francis ford coppola, the godfather became. Coppolas breakthrough came with the godfather 1972, a brilliant, enormously successful, muscular adaptation of mario puzos blockbuster novel of the same name. This movie has everything from great action scenes to world famous actors. Theres plenty about the film s production, influence, and overall importance in film history. Have an open mind and see this film if you get the chance. Mar 12, 2018 and we see that wonderfully conveyed by the frequent cutting alan heim does to gideons smiling face, or shots where joe is seen back turned to us inframe and watching. It is a story about a complex family, fathers and sons, human nature, and the thirst for power and respect. Its a guide to life, offering endless lessons on how to handle every situation you may encounter. And we should remember that in its day it was the most successful film there had ever been, as well as winner of the. But her critical flaw of openness to michaels explanations allows him to. There is shockingly little written about the godfather in terms of critical textual analysis.
The godfather appeared at a turbulent time, when racial tensions flared, crime rates rose, young people indulged in sex and drugs, and an unpopular war in vietnam made citizens lose faith in their. This is the godfather movie that doesnt show up on tv or get mentioned in alltime best lists. I promise that you wont regret it, even if the running time is three hours in total. Editing insights and analysis of six masterpieces alexander huls. Unlike most of the analysis found herewhich simply lists the unique individual story appreciationsthis indepth study details the actual encoding for each structural item. Mario puzos the godfather summary schoolworkhelper. Hopefully, this will further improve our understanding of the movie and help appreciate its unique filming techniques.
It has protected our independence, which has never been so critical. Nothing is more important than family, not even the family francis ford coppolas the godfather establishes the lives of vito corleone, and the corleone crime family of new york, as an analogy for the pre and postworld war ii. At the end, it is the older godfather s tenderness and sagacity we recall. Nearly everyone loves it and cant say enough good things about it, but the film is either strikingly simple to understand or strikingly difficult, eluding the comprehension of. Part iii rolling stone few sequels can match the charge of anticipation you feel before watching the third part of.
The godfather movie analysis film studies essay uk essays. In the movie, the godfather is more a guardian of both his literal and symbolic godchildrens interests. Critical analysis on godfather death, a fairy tale written by jacob ludwig grimm and wilhelm carl grimm this story is a german fairy tale translated by jacob ludwig grimm 17851863 and wilhelm carl grimm 17861859, brothers born in germany. He protects them by going around the law, demanding their eternal loyalty.
The godfather is told entirely within a closed world. Man, god, devil, death, boyphysician, king, kings daughter. What were the literary conventions of the godfather. A huge boxoffice hit the fifth highestgrossing film of the 1970s, the godfather was also lauded by critics and was ranked third on the american film institutes.
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