Sika’s 100 Greatest Movies of All Time! 2. The Godfather Trilogy

2. The Godfather Trilogy (Coppola Restoration) [Blu-ray]  (1972, 1974, 1990)

Plot: Epic tale of a New York Mafia family and their struggle to protect their empire from rival families spanning from the 1900s to the 1970s.

An offer you can’t refuse. (tagline)

Starring: Al Pacino, Marlon Brando, James Caan, Robert Duvall, Diane Keaton, John Cazale, Robert De Niro, Talia Shire, Lee Strasberg, Bruno Kirby, Andy Garcia, Eli Wallach
Directed by: Francis Ford Coppola
Written by: Mario Puzo, Francis Ford Coppola
Length: 177 min, 202 min, 162 min.
Budget: $6M, $13M, $55M
Gross Revenue: $245M, $193M,
$137M (worldwide)

My Favorite Movie Quote:
Michael Corleone: I know it was you, Fredo. You broke my heart.

Review: I always get surprised when people mention that they’ve never seen The Godfather. I also always see to it to have water in my mouth as they say it, so I can do a spit-take to further strengthen my reaction. Well, and also to get to spit in their face, since that’s what they all deserve.

I also spit-take on everyone who utters “I love the Godfather trilogy. ..well, the first two anyway. The third one not so much.” Yeah, I know the third one doesn’t come close to the greatness of the first two, but it’s still a great movie. And even though Al Pacino looks like the love child of Arnold Schwarzenegger’s Red Heat character and a cute baby skunk; he still delivers a stellar performance.

Anyway, this is a trilogy that everyone should see, mainly because it’s great. And if that doesn’t get your blood pumping, perhaps it does over the fact that you also get to see Sofia Coppola get shot for being a horrible actor? Actually, I’m not sure if that was the reason or if it was part of the plot, but it happens regardless.

Nerdiest Movie Trivia: Marlon Brando and Robert De Niro are the only two actors to ever win separate Oscars for playing the same character. Brando won Best Actor for The Godfather and De Niro won Best Supporting Actor for The Godfather Part II, both as Vito Corleone.

As I have stated on numerous occasions; Al Pacino is my favorite actor of all time. But, while finalizing this list it also seems I have discovered who my favorite supporting actor of all time is! The previous movies on this list are Spinal Tap and When Harry met Sally, and what do they have in common with the Godfather trilogy? Yes, I’m of course talking about the late, great and “always the bridesmaid, never the bride” Bruno Kirby!

But since neither Al Pacino nor Bruno Kirby is part of the upcoming No 1 Greatest Movie of All Time, you will also find out which actor I credit with “The Greatest Actor Portrayal of All Time”. No, it’s not a Steve Martin movie either.

Anyway, The Godfather Trilogy. It IS the TRUE Saga.

OSCAR COUNT:

THE GODFATHER

3 wins: Best Picture (Albert S. Ruddy) Best Writing, Screenplay Based on Material from Another Medium (Mario Puzo Francis Ford Coppola)
Best Actor in a Leading Role (Marlon Brando). He refused to accept the award due to Hollywood’s discrimination toward Native American people. Brando did not show up at the ceremony, but instead sent a faked Indian woman named Sacheen Littlefeather who later turned out to be Maria Cruz, a less known Californian actress.

(continued) 7 nominations: Best Actor in a Supporting Role (Al Pacino, James Caan, Robert Duvall) Best Director (Francis Ford Coppola) Best Costume Design (Anna Hill Johnstone) Best Film Editing (William Reynolds, Peter Zinner) Best Sound (Charles Grenzbach, Richard Portman, Christopher Newman)

THE GODFATHER: PART II

6 Wins: Best Picture (Francis Ford Coppola, Gray Frederickson, Fred Roos) The movie became the first sequel to win the best picture award. Best Director (Francis Ford Coppola) Best Actor in a Supporting Role (Robert De Niro) Best Writing, Screenplay Adapted From Other Material (Francis Ford Coppola, Mario Puzo) Best Music, Original Dramatic Score (Nino Rota, Carmine Coppola) Best Art Direction-Set Decoration (Dean Tavoularis, Angelo P. Graham, George R. Nelson)
5 Nominations: Best Actor in a Leading Role (Al Pacino) Best Actor in a Supporting Role (Michael V. Gazzo) Best Actor in a Supporting Role (Lee Strasberg) Best Actress in a Supporting Role (Talia Shire) Best Costume Design (Theadora Van Runkle)

THE GODFATHER: PART III

7 Nominations: Best Picture (Francis Ford Coppola) Best Director (Francis Ford Coppola) Best Actor in a Supporting Role (Andy Garcia) Best Cinematography (Gordon Willis) Best Film Editing (Barry Malkin, Lisa Fruchtman, Walter Murch) Best Music, Original Song (Carmine Coppola (music) John Bettis (lyrics)) For the song “Promise Me You’ll Remember”. Best Art Direction-Set Decoration (Dean Tavoularis, Gary Fettis)

ALTERNATIVE POSTERS FOR THE GODFATHER

PREVIOUS ON THE LIST: 2.5. When Harry Met Sally… (1989)

CRITERIA FOR MAKING THIS LIST

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