An Essay on The Godfather
It is hard to come across anyone these days who hasn't at least heard of The Godfather, and that is impressive for a film that was first released in 1972. So what makes a film stay current and continually influential in the film world for 40 years? It is so important to the world of film that it is discussed seven times in the class textbook and was shown as an example of fine cinematography in film class. The actors seen in the film also play an important role in the films worldwide critical acclaim, the star Marlon Brando was discussed in film class for his method acting. Not only does this film have outstanding cinematic value, but it has influenced and ever expanding gangster genre that continues to build off of this epic film.
In the textbook Looking at Movies, The Godfather is cited seven times under different categories, from principles of film space and time, the gangster genre, editing elements, film analysis, and cinematography elements (Barsam). Of all the films that have been it is easy to see that by simply looking at all of the examples utilized in this textbook, The Godfather is an essential film to the industry that has succeeded in many elements to make it a significant film to this day. One scene in particular is discussed multiple times in the textbook, “Baptism and Murder” displays expert parallel editing, along with intercutting and crosscutting edits, as it manipulates time and space (Barsam 259). While a baptism is underway the editing used makes it possible to see what is happening at several different times and places, not only showing amazing editing and time manipulation elements, but telling us a story with more emotion than words alone could do (Barsam 14).
The cinematography of Gordon Willis is discussed in the textbook as well as in class because cinematography much like the editing make the storytelling more effective and meaningful, all contributing to the importance of this film to the industry. The lighting Gordon Willis uses in his cinematography sets the intense tone in most of the scenes in the film. At the same time the lighting can make the characters more vulnerable as seen in the moment the Don finds out his son and heir to the mob leadership has been murdered, the lighting from above casts’ shadows less ominous than usual making the Don appear human and frail in this wilting moment (Barsam 153). In Class, the discussion of cinematography focused more on the angle of the cameras making the characters appear dominant or weak as a husband and wife quarrel, along with the angles the wife seems to blend in with the scenery as she cowers onto the couch, all of these cinematography tricks contribute to making the audience feel the story instead of simply see it played out before them.
Another important cinematic factor that contributes to the relevance of this historic film is the outstanding acting that has immortalized several actors and catch phrases. Marlon Brando was presumed to be past his prime but Francis Ford Coppola did not agree and Brando went on to create a character that is arguably one of the most famous of all time. Many of the most famous actors today are on record saying he has inspired many recent roles. The character Salim from Slumdog Millionaire was performed by an actor heavily influenced by Brando’s character in The Godfather, “For me the best part about the film is the Marlon Brando's acting. I've learnt so much watching him that the film is like an acting school for me. The direction and background score of the film are also impressive. Also, the entire cast has performed exceptionally well. The film is a wonderful blend of a love story and family drama that keeps you enthralled all the way.” Brando’s timeless award winning performance and dedicated work ethic will go on to inspire many different genres and actors in the future, making it such a priceless film (Mittal).
While the film goes on to inspire many different actors and films, it is a very important part of the gangster genre. While it is one of the later contributions to the gangster genre it has sparked many more of its kinds, and was one of the first non-fiction gangster films and one so accurate to gangster life it appeared based on real life mobsters (Barsam). Coppola had to make promises that his film would be different from previous just to get funding to make the film, promising to make multi-dimensional characters with a meaningful story to tell (DAWN). Coppola was not only given a hard time by investors but the real Mafia who worked very hard to keep this movie from being made (DAWN).
If Coppola had not worked against all of these obstacles, his classic art would not have been created. If Coppola had not fought for Brando to play the part of Don, his film would not have been portrayed as uniquely. If Coppola had not surrounded himself with award winning crew members, his film would not visually tell a deeper story than seen in print. All of these wise cinematic decisions make this gangster classic a timeless award winning masterpiece, which has endured the test of time and will continue to inspire many different films for years to come.
Works Cited
Barsam, Richard. Looking at Movies. New York: W.W. Norton & Co., 2007.
Madhur, Mittal. "The Godfather- A classic forever." Economic Times. 28 2009: n. page. Print. <http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/features/business-of-bollywood/the-godfather-a-classic-forever/articleshow/4325784.cms>.
"Weekly Classics: The Godfather series." DAWN.com. N.p., 23 2012. Web. Web. 10 Dec. 2012. <http://dawn.com/2012/03/23/weekly-classics-the-godfather-series/>.
In the textbook Looking at Movies, The Godfather is cited seven times under different categories, from principles of film space and time, the gangster genre, editing elements, film analysis, and cinematography elements (Barsam). Of all the films that have been it is easy to see that by simply looking at all of the examples utilized in this textbook, The Godfather is an essential film to the industry that has succeeded in many elements to make it a significant film to this day. One scene in particular is discussed multiple times in the textbook, “Baptism and Murder” displays expert parallel editing, along with intercutting and crosscutting edits, as it manipulates time and space (Barsam 259). While a baptism is underway the editing used makes it possible to see what is happening at several different times and places, not only showing amazing editing and time manipulation elements, but telling us a story with more emotion than words alone could do (Barsam 14).
The cinematography of Gordon Willis is discussed in the textbook as well as in class because cinematography much like the editing make the storytelling more effective and meaningful, all contributing to the importance of this film to the industry. The lighting Gordon Willis uses in his cinematography sets the intense tone in most of the scenes in the film. At the same time the lighting can make the characters more vulnerable as seen in the moment the Don finds out his son and heir to the mob leadership has been murdered, the lighting from above casts’ shadows less ominous than usual making the Don appear human and frail in this wilting moment (Barsam 153). In Class, the discussion of cinematography focused more on the angle of the cameras making the characters appear dominant or weak as a husband and wife quarrel, along with the angles the wife seems to blend in with the scenery as she cowers onto the couch, all of these cinematography tricks contribute to making the audience feel the story instead of simply see it played out before them.
Another important cinematic factor that contributes to the relevance of this historic film is the outstanding acting that has immortalized several actors and catch phrases. Marlon Brando was presumed to be past his prime but Francis Ford Coppola did not agree and Brando went on to create a character that is arguably one of the most famous of all time. Many of the most famous actors today are on record saying he has inspired many recent roles. The character Salim from Slumdog Millionaire was performed by an actor heavily influenced by Brando’s character in The Godfather, “For me the best part about the film is the Marlon Brando's acting. I've learnt so much watching him that the film is like an acting school for me. The direction and background score of the film are also impressive. Also, the entire cast has performed exceptionally well. The film is a wonderful blend of a love story and family drama that keeps you enthralled all the way.” Brando’s timeless award winning performance and dedicated work ethic will go on to inspire many different genres and actors in the future, making it such a priceless film (Mittal).
While the film goes on to inspire many different actors and films, it is a very important part of the gangster genre. While it is one of the later contributions to the gangster genre it has sparked many more of its kinds, and was one of the first non-fiction gangster films and one so accurate to gangster life it appeared based on real life mobsters (Barsam). Coppola had to make promises that his film would be different from previous just to get funding to make the film, promising to make multi-dimensional characters with a meaningful story to tell (DAWN). Coppola was not only given a hard time by investors but the real Mafia who worked very hard to keep this movie from being made (DAWN).
If Coppola had not worked against all of these obstacles, his classic art would not have been created. If Coppola had not fought for Brando to play the part of Don, his film would not have been portrayed as uniquely. If Coppola had not surrounded himself with award winning crew members, his film would not visually tell a deeper story than seen in print. All of these wise cinematic decisions make this gangster classic a timeless award winning masterpiece, which has endured the test of time and will continue to inspire many different films for years to come.
Works Cited
Barsam, Richard. Looking at Movies. New York: W.W. Norton & Co., 2007.
Madhur, Mittal. "The Godfather- A classic forever." Economic Times. 28 2009: n. page. Print. <http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/features/business-of-bollywood/the-godfather-a-classic-forever/articleshow/4325784.cms>.
"Weekly Classics: The Godfather series." DAWN.com. N.p., 23 2012. Web. Web. 10 Dec. 2012. <http://dawn.com/2012/03/23/weekly-classics-the-godfather-series/>.