In retrospect, I cannot believe that it has taken me 35 years to see this brilliant film. I'm glad I waited until it came onto DVD though, as the quality was awesome.
This film hasn't aged one day and the production was superb. In fact, if I didn't recognise the very young faces of Al Pacino, James Caan and Robert Duvall then I might have mistaken it for just another episode of Sopranos.
The Godfather is the quintessential mafia story and some might say that all that came afterwards was just mimicry. In my mind, it takes a masterpiece like this to inspire the great works that follow and can you blame anyone for taking inspiration from a film like The Godfather?
Major Awards
Academy Awards 1973
Best Actor - Marlon Brando
Best Picture
Best Screenplay
Nominated: Best Actor in a Supporting Role - James Caan, Robert Duvall & Al Pacino; Best Director - Francis Ford Coppola.
BAFTA Awards 1973
Award for Film Music - Nino Rota
Nominated: Best Actor - Marlon Brando; Best Supporting Actor - Robert Duvall; Most Promising Newcomer to Leading Film Roles - Al Pacino.
Golden Globe Awards
Best Director (Motion Picture) - Francis Ford Coppola
Best Motion Picture (Drama)
Best Motion Picture Actor (Drama) - Marlon Brando
Best Original Score - Nino Rota
Best Screenplay - Francis Ford Coppola & Mario Puzo
Nominated: Best Motion Picture Actor (Drama) - Al Pacino; Best Supporting Actor (Motion Picture) - James Caan.
Grammy Awards 1973
Best Original Score - Nino Rota
And finally... Al Pacino as Michael Corleone:
Wasn't he lovely?
