Revealed: How They Made "The Godfather"

How's this for an offer you can't refuse: The Godfather Family Album - previously unseen candid pictures revealing how the finest gangster movies of them all were made...and a running commentary from author Mario Puzo how he came to write The Godfather in the first place (he needed the money)

Read the whole story here.

Comments

[blakfist]

Listen everyone has great points...The trilogy will go down as the top 2 every made and i cant think of what the other one would be at this point but please dont hate on part 3 it had me wanting a part 4 so bad. I LOVE THE GODFATHER TRIOLOGY- THE BEST. I really cant even given one best part as it was so many...I will give one from part 3 since no one has thus far. The kitchen scene after the gun down in the hotel room when he was giving out the shares from the casino sells and how he was really wanting to find an amicable way to quell this you could see his blood boiling and the the magical line "Everytime I try to get out it seems as if they pull me back in" then the stroke then the angry outburst- CLASSIC

[LovingHope]

Brando was so gorgeous! Too bad he got so big. He was a man who indulge in everything, and he paid a price. I still thought he was so sexy. I loved the Godfather part I and ll. Al Pacino was perfect as Michael. I also liked Sonny. I think James Caan did a great job. I personally did not find a flaw in the first movie. Talia Shire was also great as the sister.

And my all time favorite: Robert De Niro. He was just so handsome in those days. I even enjoyed the third movie.

[Son of a Rich]

Actually, the GF movies downplayed just how brutal the Cosa Nostra could be. Paulie got off easy with 2 shots to the head. His kind of betrayal, in real life, would have been grounds for death by slow torture.

[mpgarr]

While there are many incredible scenes from both GF parts ! and II that rank among the best in filmdom----to me---one of the most incredible scenes comes later in part II---Mama Corleone has died and Michael accepts Fredo back into the family at Connie's request and plea-----Michael does--but reluctantly so----he hugs Fredo---with Fredo's back to the camera---Michael gives this look to one of his "guys"----a look that just sums up so many things---so much said with just a look--the eyes!!! You know that at Michael's order----in time--Fredo is going to die--all with a look--and not one word spoken.
That is perhaps one of the most powerful scenes in any film before or since----of course---that was just one of many incredible scenes in both GF parts I and II that make them such special films--classics that may never be topped.

[mpgarr]

It sems the backstory of the machinations of how the novel was written and how the film was produced are as interesting a story--perhaps even moreso--- than either the book or film.

I am glad that the film--both Parts I and II were made when they were--to me they are basically the same film---is one of the classics of all time and sits in the pantheon of the greatest films of all time---I don't believe that such a film could be made today.

I do have to say---while it was an "OK" film--Part 3 pailed in quality, scope, story, etc. from parts I and II---it is almost a shame that the third film was done----

[HIbbs4Prez]

Yeah, but it still doesn't compare to the backstory of how Coppola made "Apocalypse Now".

[jpage78]

It's amazing how both Coppola and Puzo (RIP) seem to "forget" the key role that Bob Evans played in getting this movie to the screen.

Coppola had to be persuaded to direct the film because at the time he was an art film director (The Rain People) and was almost fired from production many many times.

Still very interesting nonetheless...

[ArmyCentrist]

My grandfather is the backwater Creole version of Don Vito lol! My favorite line "Money and friendship, oil and water" words to live by...

[darthdarcy]

Puzo didn't know the half of it...

Forgeta bout it..!

[BILLHICKSPINNING]

........And may your first child be a masculine child.......

[jukesgrrl]

Thanks for reminding me of that. One of the best lines in a movie of great lines.

[schicklett3]

Best movie of all time.
Read the book after watching the movie. It's the best.

[PaxMundis]

The book was okay, but this is one of the rare cases where I think the movie is better.

[sarge311]

As an Italian, I never liked James Caan in the role of Sonny. IMO, he was too much of the stereotypical Italian, with the overdone use of his hands, the badda-bing badda-boom foul mouthed thug mentality. I realize that his character was suppose to act a certain way, I just thought it was very phony. It's like he was overcompensating for the fact that he wasn't really Italian and had to make up for it. If you watch the REAL Italians like Pacino, Castellano, Cazale, they didn't overdo it. I thought Pacino and DeNiro were outstanding in their portrayals and of course Brando. As much as I don't like Duvall for his politics, he played a good Tom Hagen.
Now one question that I as afraid to ask but have always been curious about. Was that a real horse's head or a prop? Does anyone know the answer?

[speeddeeps]

What, are you italian American or european Italian?

[sarge311]

Italian American.

[bonofide]

According to Wikipedia it was real. Coppola stated that it was delivered to
them from a dog food company, but not specifically for the movie.

[bonofide]

I meant to say the horse was not specifically ki lled for the movie. Sorry!

[gascelebrations]

I agree - the annoyingness of Caan's hand gestures and overpronounced "Italianness" predated The Sopranos by 25 years. The scene where he gets Carlo on the steps and puts him in the hydrant is one of the lows of the entire series, and it's because of Caan's acting. I know, Sonny's supposed to be a hot-head - but he's a cartoon character - Michael (and even Fredo - even in GFII) are NOT.

[windypaperboy]

I agree completely, and find it an excellent comment. James Caan (Sonny) was a mistake as an actor for the son of Don Vito. And although I detest Duvall for his political ideas, he played a good Tom Hagen.

[duckcrackers]

I still think Woody Allen would have made a perfect Sonny.

[KarateKid]

LOL. Don't you mean Hyman Roth?

[slobone]

And Mario Puzo died in 1999. So how long was this article sitting in the desk drawer?

[levibatgirl]

I love the Godfather.

What a great movie.

Part II as well

[AngryCitizen]

The one thing I loved about GF III was the song with the words to the GF theme put to music. Whoever sung that was magnificent!