It is said that the Himalayas are slowly rising and every year their height increases by a few inches. Something similar is the case with the film ‘The Godfather’ that even after 50 years of its release, its stature continues to grow.
Famous poet and film critic Idris Babar has written about how this blockbuster movie like Everest was made and how it influenced the whole world.
What Hollywood producer wouldn’t want to make a movie based on America’s best-selling novel?
29-year-old novice director Francis Coppola was given permission to film Mario Puzo’s novel, but when he expressed his intention to cast former Hollywood legend Marlon Brando as Don Vito Corleone, studio bosses refused. He found these words to express his dismay: ‘Over my dead body!’ (Over my dead body) means you can take Brando for this role.
The studio’s anger was not unfounded. It’s been two decades since Brando, who won an Oscar for his lead role in the blockbuster On the Waterfront, changed acting history and graced the cover of Time magazine. A whole new generation of hot and naughty actors had emerged, while Brando’s previous films had flopped.
At the time, Coppola was also heavily criticized for giving the lead role of Michael Corleone to the inexperienced El Pacino. By then Al Pacino was a theater actor and unknown in the film world, while studio bosses wanted to cast well-known actors such as Robert Redford, Warren Beatty or Jack Nicholson for the role.
According to himself, there was talk of firing Cupola from ‘The Godfather’.
However, it was God’s grace that Father Coppola won the best screenplay Oscar for ‘Peyton’, which was declared the best film of last year. At the same time, Coppola turned Hollywood’s cannons away by showing rush prints of Brando falling down after taking a bullet with an envelope of oranges and El Pacino taking revenge on his father in a restaurant. According to the person, it was an offer he couldn’t refuse!
First the film itself, and then time, not only proved Coppola right in every regard, including the direction, but his unusual choices became the guarantee of Godfather’s immortality.
When ‘Godfather’ was released, there was a buzz everywhere. The film was a box office hit and was praised by critics. Marlon Brando’s memorable win for Best Actor was announced on this year’s Oscar night, and ‘The Godfather’ made history by winning Best Picture.
It is strange that Brando did not take long to settle accounts with the Academy and by sending an ethnic American actress to receive the Oscar in her place, the protest against the racist attitude of Hollywood became a part of history, and thus the film Godfather It also laid the foundation for becoming a myth.
Well, that’s all happened, movies are made in every season, Oscars happen every year, wins and losses and then the story ends, the money is digested. So, what was the magic in ‘Godfather’ that is still talking? Half a century has passed since the release of the film, but is there any doubt that it does not diminish?
The main reason for the popularity and survival of ‘Godfather’ is the excellent acting and lively dialogues. The cast of ‘Godfather’ is of legendary quality. Brando, El Pacino, James Caan, John Cazal, Robert Duvall, Diane Keaton! The stardom of every actor in the film was made or increased after ‘Godfather’. The universal impression of collective greatness over individual performance has kept the film fresh in people’s minds for the past half century.
A unique reason for the greatness of ‘The Godfather’ is that it is the only film in history whose second part also won the Oscar for Best Picture. As if there were four more moons. Robert De Niro received his first Oscar for his role in the second part. Just write De Niro’s generational fan following in the account of ‘Godfather’.
Whether it’s based on the American Film Institute’s list of the 100 Greatest Movies or Sight & Sound’s popular Top Ten list, the gangster film has roots everywhere.
From Hollywood to Lollywood, the influence of ‘Godfather’ has spread across the world’s cinema. The filmmakers found copying scenes, dialogues, characters, plots from this film an easy and tried and tested formula for success. Some were just impressed by his technique. Some of the smart people were also curious that the effect of ‘Godfather’ should not be shown on Sahi, so whether the fragrance was spread by love or musk, in both cases the original film benefited.
Among the films influenced by ‘Godfather’, Indian cinema’s Tamil film ‘Nayakan’ is the biggest example. So much so that it got a place alongside ‘The Godfather’ in Time magazine’s list of 100 greatest films. Kamal Haasan and Mani Ratnam have really done a wonderful job by combining the story of all three Godfather films into one film. It is a different thing that the credit went to the ‘Godfather’.
In the Irish resistance film ‘In the Name of the Father’, when the revolutionary anti-hero (Daniel Day-Lewis) is imprisoned, in a memorable scene, the prisoners are shown the film ‘The Godfather’ as entertainment. Then Nino Rota’s melancholy music wafts through the prison barracks like an ox-bell, reminding the moviegoers of ‘The Godfather’.
Marlon Brando and Al Pacino face off as father and son in a scene from The Godfather (Paramount Pictures)
The godfather of hits from cinema has also had an impact on the world of TV. Even if limited to mainstream American channels, the Godfather has been referenced in some way, sometimes seriously, in many popular TV shows, from ‘The Sopranos’ to ‘The Simpsons’ to ‘Saturday Night Live’. So sometimes jokingly.
As far as jokes are concerned, in the Hollywood comedy ‘The Freshman’, made two decades after the original film, Hazrat Godfather himself parodies his role as a mafia don and gets repeated applause. Similarly, Al Pacino and De Niro also starred in several gangster films after The Godfather, thus indirectly adding to the legacy of The Godfather.
But ‘Godfather’ has not only influenced films and dramas, it has had an impact on ordinary life as well. Rather, the real-world mafia gangsters themselves were replaced by the ‘Godfather’.
According to a 2004 report in the Las Vegas Review-Journal, when US police raid a gangster’s hideout, the most common item they find is Godfather cassettes or CDs.
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Not only that, the mafia don himself began to sit up, even speak in his accent, in the style of Vito Carlioni of the Marlin brand.
One of the reasons for the fame of ‘The Godfather’ is the memorable scenes which are not two or four in number. Vito’s daughter’s wedding, Vito’s murderous attack, Michael’s revenge, Vito’s eldest son and the crown prince in the mafia empire, Sunny being shot with a car, Vito scaring his grandson with orange slices in his mouth before dying. Michael’s assumption of the chair as Godfather, a retaliatory parallel to the baptismal ritual, are a few examples. And yes, that severed head of a horse in bed.
The dialogues of ‘Godfather’ are also a testament to the durability of the film. Such phrases are scattered throughout the film, which are funny because of their fun and absurdity, but they are also memorable for being deep and meaningful. such as:
Take The Gun, Leave The Cannoli
Revenge Is a Dish Best Served Cold
And above all
I’m Gonna Make Him an Offer He Can’t Refuse
The best example of films inspired by The Godfather is the Tamil film ‘Nyagan’ (Mukta Films).
These phrases are now part of American culture. The last dialogue has been named by the American Film Institute as the second most memorable dialogue in American film history.
To me, The Godfather is not just a personal favorite or a masterpiece film, which it rightly is, ‘The Godfather’ is truly great art. Mona Lisa’s smile, like Beethoven’s lift. As universal as a tragedy by Shakespeare, Gambhir, Tolstoy and Dickens.
The essence of the greatness of ‘Godfather’ lies in the constant dialectical struggle of the individual and the society in the name of life and then this epic film brings these contradictions in front of the seeing eyes and listening ears in a suspenseful manner.
On the one hand there are families and relationships, friendships and loves. On the other hand, there is racism and drug trafficking, violence and exploitation. On the one hand, there is the violence and vandalism of the state mafia, on the other hand, there is the nexus of religion and capital. This simple narrative, this layering of times, and such a living expression of all these realities was possible only on the wide screen of the cinema.
When was such an uprising in the city or at home?
I saw that the exhibition was going on in my head
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The enduring legacy of ‘The Godfather’ lies in its intricate storytelling, unforgettable characters, and masterful direction. The film not only encapsulates the essence of the American gangster genre but also delves deep into themes of power, loyalty, and family. Its cultural impact is immense, influencing not just filmmakers and actors but also shaping public perceptions of the mafia and organized crime.
The artistry behind ‘The Godfather’ is evident not just in its performances but also in its cinematography, music, and screenplay. Francis Ford Coppola’s direction alongside Mario Puzo’s screenplay creates a cinematic experience that feels both grand and intimate, allowing viewers to become emotionally invested in the Corleone family. The film’s score, composed by Nino Rota, further enhances its emotional depth, leaving a lasting impression on audiences.
The character of Vito Corleone, portrayed by Marlon Brando, is particularly noteworthy. His portrayal of the wise and strategic mafia don resonates as a figure of authority and paternal care, making the audience both fear and respect him. Al Pacino’s transformation from Michael Corleone, the reluctant family member turned ruthless gangster, serves as a poignant narrative arc that captivates viewers. The complexities of their relationship, filled with loyalty, betrayal, and eventual succession, are masterfully explored throughout the film.
In addition to its narrative and technical achievements, ‘The Godfather’ resonates through its clever dialogue and memorable quotes, which have become an integral part of American pop culture. Lines like “I’m gonna make him an offer he can’t refuse” transcend the film, becoming emblematic of power dynamics in relationships. Such phrases cement the film’s place in collective memory.
Moreover, ‘The Godfather’ challenges viewers with moral ambiguity—questioning the nature of right and wrong, and loyalty’s true cost. It poses difficult questions about fate, power, and family ties, compelling audiences to reflect on the implications of loyalty, choice, and consequence.
In essence, ‘The Godfather’ remains relevant and powerful decades after its release, not merely because of its success as a film but due to the rich thematic layers it presents. It continues to inspire generations of filmmakers, writers, and audiences alike, maintaining its status not just as a film, but as a cultural phenomenon that continues to shape and redefine cinema.