"The Godfather"
by: Paolo Sardinas

Francis Ford Coppola's 1972 epic, about the crime underworld in New York City is an exceptionaly well made film, about power and those who both want and need it. "The Godfather" still remains, to this very day, just as riveting as it was when it was first released back in 1972. This classic tale about Vito Corleone, head of the Corleone crime family and his son Michael. Both actors are played by Marlon Brando and Al Pacino. Set in the heart of New York, when Vito is shot and almost killed, Michael takes over, but only after his older brother Sonny(James Cann) is brutally killed. Story moves on with Michael being married (twice), the whole crime world going into chaos, and a story so plain on the outside, yet so complex on the inside, that remains just as entertaining today.

Led by a superb cast of actors with Marlon Brando starring in the role of Vito. He not only plays the wise old Mafia man, he practically plays a king. A king was able to not let the power get to his head, while he competitors attempted to force it into his head. Brando gives the best performance of his career. After watching his performance in "The Godfather", you not only believe that Brando deserved that Oscar, which he did win, it was practically his birth right. Starring in the role of his son, Michael, is a very young Al Pacino. Giving the performance which practically made him into the star he is today. Playing the son of a Mob boss is not easy but Pacino makes it seem that way with his riveting performance. He would return twice more in the same role in parts "II" & "III".

The rest of the cast includes Diane Keaton as Michael's wife and mother of his children, John Cazale as one of Michael's brothers, Fedo. The man who would later try to kill Michael is one of the most believable characters ever created, but of course he was played by such a believable guy. Also starring in this film is James Caan as the oldest of the brothers Sonny, the tough headed and ruthless brother who is shot down and massacred by the rival mob. Robert Duvall also turns in a A+ performance as the adopted step-brother Tom Hagen. It's hard to say that one actor is better than the other, simply because there are no actors, there are only characters. These "actors" were able to truly becom the characters they were portraying, and that is something to admire.

Based off of the novel by write Mario Puzo, as are the next two films, the movie is actually better than the source material. The novel is actually one big crime mystery, not as intriguing as the film. But the somehow the movie just ends up being better. A rariety, especially now when just about everything is based off of some previous material. Whether it be a book or whatnot, they're never able to be quite as good as the original material. This movie is. The Godfather was also able to spawn something that was never, and still isn't, possible to this date... a great sequel. It was actually able to make sequel that was just as creative and indulging as the original, without boring you out or just not being interesting. It's amazing.

"The Godfather" is and always will be considered as the greatest movie of all time. Its a given, nothing that has ever been released can even measure up to the standards set by this film and its successor. Nothing so far has equaled it, and nothing ever will. This film is a one of a kind, something that can't be duplicated. Ever. Between its amazing story, incredible acting and direction, it's hard to pin point exactly where or why "The Godfather" is simplye put as a one of a kind. It's simply an offer you can't ever refuse. Grade: A