Godfather

Mario Puzo created “The Godfather” (1969) after the release of his novel “The Fortunate Pilgrim”. Puzo received the idea from a reader that suggested that he should write more about the mafia. When Puzo pitched the idea of “The Godfather” to the editors he was turned down eight times before getting the approval. After the novel’s release in 1969 it became an instant success and Hollywood took notice. Francis Ford Coppola was eventually named the director of the novel turned film, and shortly after he began writing the first screenplay. After its completion, Coppola contacted Puzo to help him write the final script. Coppola wanted to keep the film as close to the book as possible. He stated later, “Everything great in the film came from the book”. Both Puzo and Coppola while writing the script were sending ideas back and forth. Ultimately Francis had the final say of what material would make it into the script. After the completion of the script the two began filming one of the most popular films of all time.

The Godfather Part I is a crime drama about family and loyalty in the corrupt world of organized crime. The film touches on the issues of power, tradition, loyalty, responsibility, and morals. We follow the Corleone family as they deal with their profession and themselves. They are tested by situations that make them chose between their morals or their lives. In the process, the shift of power goes from “The Godfather” Vito Corleone to his younger son Michael. Michael is a war veteran who at the beginning of the film wants nothing to do with his family’s business until the attempt on his father’s life. For the remainder of the film it shows how the family tries to survive in this world of greed and seduction. Vito Corleone (Ma...

... middle of paper ...

... with his medals from WWII. They accessorized their suits with ties, and either a flower or silk napkin in their jackets breast pockets, and sometimes a hat. The women wore either a dress or blouse with a skirt. The men would have their hair combed nicely or slicked back, and the women wore their hair up or out in curls.

After the Godfather Part I, Francis Ford Coppola goes on to create two other Godfather films and other films. Some of those films were Apocalypse Now (1979), The Outsiders (1983), and Dracula (1992). Each film was a novel turned film. Coppola was able to take these novels and transform them to film by taking the material and keeping it similar to the author’s work. He tells each of these stories in a traditional narrative to keep the audience intrigued from start to finish. This is the same approach Coppola took in creating the Godfather trilogy.