The Godfather (1972)

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Directed by Francis Ford Coppola, The Godfather is an epic crime drama based on Mario Puzo’s novel. It tells the story of the Corleone family, a powerful Italian-American crime syndicate led by the aging patriarch Vito Corleone (Marlon Brando). As Vito’s health declines, his youngest son Michael (Al Pacino), who initially wanted to distance himself from the family business, is reluctantly drawn into the violent world of organized crime. Michael’s transformation from a reluctant outsider to the ruthless new head of the family forms the heart of the narrative. The film explores themes of family, loyalty, justice, and power. Its influence on filmmaking is vast, particularly in its use of deep focus cinematography, memorable dialogue, and its nuanced portrayal of morality. It remains one of the greatest films of all time.