The Godfather Trilogy

35 years ago, Francis Ford Coppola decided to make a movie based on the book ’The Godfather’ by Mario Puzo. And what a movie it was. The plots, sub-plots are simply brilliant. Each and every character brilliantly portrayed.

If you haven’t seen the Godfather trilogy, it is about the Italian-American mafia gang, and the way the Dons of the Corleone family(Vito first, Michael afterwards), the most powerful family in New York after World War 2, try and strike a balance between their families and business.

The first part of the trilogy belongs fully to Marlon Brando(as Don Vito Corleone). He simply steals the show. Be it his body language, or his voice, he is amazing. Robert Duvall(as Tom Hagen) plays his part intelligently, underplaying for most parts (something our very own actors can learn). Al Pacino(as Michael Corleone) rises to power towards the end of the film.

Now, ‘The Godfather’ would be a tough act to follow. But, ’The Godfather 2’ is just as good(I’m not gonna say better) as the first part. Here’s where Pacino shows his class. His eyes show so much evil and venom. He knows he is a man with great power. He does take out his gun, nor does he use his men to show his power. The way speaks. Pah! De Niro(as young Don Vito) is also awesome, matching Pacino’s brilliance all the way.

People say the third part is not as good as the first two parts. While I see where that is coming from, I think most people say that because they do not understand the movie. They just can’t think a man as bad as Michael Corleone repenting and crying. Vincent Corleone (played by Andy Garcia), Michael’s nephew, wants to keep the Corleones “alive”, while Michael wants nothing to do with this business, and goes for more “cleaner” things.

My favourite genre, my favourite actors(Pacino and De Niro), my all time favourite character(Michael Corleone) and one of my favourite directors, and you get the best movie ever made.
Pacino as Michael is superb. There are no superlatives to describe him. From the clean citizen who wants nothing to do with the family business in the first part, to the man in total command and forever scheming in the second, to the aging don who repents his sins, and wants to legitimize the Corleones in the third, he is excellent.

And the dialogues are crisp and brilliant. In a movie where every line in the script could have made it to the ‘top list’, here are my favourites.
Now, you probably would have to see the movie to understand the dialogues and gravity of the situation, but if you haven’t seen the movie, you are not worth living, so…

Part 1
Michael Corleone: My father is no different than any other powerful man — any man who’s responsible for other people, like a senator or president.
Kay: You know how naive you sound?
Michael Corleone: Why?
Kay: Senators and presidents don’t have men killed.
Michael Corleone: Oh, who’s being naive, Kay?

Michael Corleone: Fredo, you’re my older brother, and I love you. But don’t ever take sides with anyone against the family again. Ever.

Vito Corleone: I’m gonna make him an offer he can’t refuse

Michael Corleone: Only don’t tell me you’re innocent. It insults my intelligence, and makes me very angry.

Part 2
Senator: I don’t like your kind of people. I don’t like to see you come out to this clean country in oily hair, and dressed up in those silk suits, and try to pass yourselves off as decent Americans. I despise your masquerade; the dishonest way you pose yourself, yourself and your fucking family.
Michael Corleone: We’re all part of the same hypocrisy, Senator. But never think it applies to my family.

Michael Corleone: I know it was you, Fredo. You broke my heart. You broke my heart.

Michael Corleone: My father taught me many things … keep your friends close, but your enemies closer

Tom Hagen: They went home and sat in a hot bath — opened up their veins, and bled to death. And sometimes they had a little party before they did it.

Fredo: Hail Mary, full of grace.…(Bam! He gets shot)

Part 3
Michael(confessing): I betrayed my wife. I betrayed myself. I killed men and I ordered men to be killed. Ah, it’s useless… I killed — I ordered the death of my brother. He injured me. I killed my mother’s son. I killed my father’s son.

Michael Corleone(to his daughter, Mary): I would burn in Hell to keep you safe.

Vincent Corleone: Neri, take a train to Rome. Light a candle for the archbishop.

Kay: No, I don’t hate you. I dread you.

Michael Corleone: Never hate your enemies — it affects your judgment.

This blog is a tribute to the greatest movie ever made. I don’t think there was any movie as flawless and brilliant as this, and there will never be one. Not now, not in a million years.
Note: Am no film critic, and I’m no one to judge the works of people like Pacino, De Niro, Marlon Brando, Robert Duvall and Coppola. It’s my opinion as a fan. a fan who has watched it atleast 10 times(all three parts) over the past 15 months( a feat that is only bettered by Kakha Kakha, Nayagan and F.R.I.E.N.D.S).