I had the opportunity this week to see The Godfather - again - on the big screen. Turner Classic Movies (TCM) is smartly bringing several classic movies to select theaters to be seen in the environment for which they were created - a movie theater. TCM's first offering was The Godfather in celebration of the 45th anniversary of this true classic.
The film was released in March 1972. I made the road trip that spring with a couple of buddies to the Glenwood Theater in suburban Kansas City to see this movie that had generated significant pre-release buzz. (And, remember kids - there wasn't an internet, TMZ or that Twitter thing back in '72.) My need to attend the movie had been piqued by my high school English teacher, who went off on a rant one day about the show's violence and its glorification of the Mafia. I exchanged a look with my pal in class that day that was "hell yeah, we need to see this movie!"
I sat enthralled for three hours in that massive movie theater (pre-multiplex) watching a story of family, loyalty, deceit, lies, honor and violence. I marveled at Marlin Brando's portrayal of the family patriarch, Vito Corleone, and was unsettled at how Al Pacino's character, Michael Corleone, evolved from returning war hero to cold-blooded heir to the godfather throne.
Like many of you, I've seen this movie on the small screen far too many times to count, whether through an intentional sit-down viewing to the stop-and-watch phenomenon when cruising channels and finding it on TCM. That's why I was so excited to see the film again in a theater - would it really stand the test of time in that environment?
The answer is a resounding "yes." The film captured me - again - for three hours. I was struck at how this film has ingrained itself in American culture, both through the themes that run throughout the movie and the sequel as well as the ultimate barometer - the phrases that have become a part of our language. All 30 or so of us in the theater knew that "I'm going to make him an offer he can't refuse" was coming, and it elicited a few chuckles given the "offer" to the movie mogul that followed. I mouthed the words to "...never take sides against the family again. Ever." when Michael admonishes his brother, Fredo, after a meeting with Moe Green in Las Vegas. And, I smiled when Clemenza told his underling, "Leave the gun; take the cannoli" after whacking an unsuspecting turncoat.
The Godfather has more than stood the test of time. It was released in what TCM on-camera host Joseph Mankiewicz called the golden age of movie-making - 1967 to 1974 - when this film and Godfather II plus other classics like Bonnie & Clyde, The Graduate, Cool Hand Luke, Easy Rider, Five Easy Pieces, The French Connection, and Chinatown were made. And, it and its sequel are the best of what that golden decade of movie-making had to offer.
The Godfather is also a story of redemption. The movie redeemed the career of Francis Ford Coppola and cemented the legacy of Marlin Brando. Coppola wasn't the studio's first pick, second pick or even third pick to direct the film, but ultimately made a two-movie classic with the original plus sequel. Brando was cast as Vito Corleone only after Lawrence Olivier declined the role and Brando agreed to a lowered salary and a bond to ensure that he would not delay production, given his notorious reputation for being difficult while on set. His performance earned him an Academy Award for Best Actor.
As Joe Fox, played by Tom Hanks, says in You've Got Mail, "'The Godfather' is the I Ching. 'The Godfather' is the sum of all wisdom. 'The Godfather' is the answer to any question."
The movie has withstood the test of time. It's language is ingrained in our culture. The ensemble cast turned in performances that helped define their careers. It is shown repeatedly on classic movie channels. It is simply the greatest movie ever made.
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