Premium Essay

The Godfather

In: Film and Music

Submitted By umi1900
Words 890
Pages 4
The Godfather (1972) The Godfather by Mario Puzo, is a world acclaimed piece of work. Not only did the book win in many ways but the movie is also a trendsetter in its own right. The Godfather trilogy to this day is considered the best trilogy of its times. The saga carefully and intimately inspects ups and downs and psychology of the Corleone family and the main thing, fears and the insecurities that each character possesses and how they compel them to behave in the way they do. The movie was not only popular for its artwork, but also for its major elements used in film, e-g cinematography and music. The cinematography is done in really nice way which filled up with the magnificent scenes and shots, each one of them are unique and memorable. From the silent opening of Bonasera’s plea to Don Corleoneto the tense close up of Michael’s face just before he kills, Sollozzo and McCluskey to the eventual doomed closing shot. The movie is filled with artistic flair. The cinematography in general of Godfather is very realistic and perfect. The use of contrast, of playing with light and darkness put a very realistic impression on audience. Many of the interiors, including Don Coleone’s office, are bathed in darkness. Characters move in and out of the light and are often partially obscured by darkness. Famously, Marlon Brando’s face was lighted from the ceiling down for creating high contrasting shadows over his eyes, which made him more ambiguous in his thoughts, because his eyes were never truly seen ever. That darkness contrasted strongly with the exterior scenes where everything was bathed in glowing colors and saturated light, and it never felt dissonant. This is the reason that the transitions between light and dark always felt smooth and natural. The most arresting and effective use of this visual story telling shows up in the very final shot. It’s that well known

Similar Documents

Premium Essay

Godfather

...“THE GODFATHER IS A STAGGERING TRIUMPH...THE DEFINITIVE NOVEL ABOUT A SINISTER FRATERNITY OF CRIME...” --Saturday Review “YOU CAN’T STOP READING IT, AND YOU’LL FIND IT HARD TO STOP DREAMING ABOUT IT!” --New York Magazine THE GODFATHER THE GODFATHER Mario Puzo Copyright © Mario Puzo 1969 All rights reserved For Anthony Cleri THE GODFATHER BOOK I Behind every great fortune there is a crime. --BALZAC Chapter 1 Amerigo Bonasera sat in New York Criminal Court Number 3 and waited for justice; vengeance on the men who had so cruelly hurt his daughter, who had tried to dishonor her. The judge, a formidably heavy-featured man, rolled up the sleeves of his black robe as if to physically chastise the two young men standing before the bench. His face was cold with majestic contempt. But there was something false in all this that Amerigo Bonasera sensed but did not yet understand. “You acted like the worst kind of degenerates,” the judge said harshly. Yes, yes, thought Amerigo Bonasera. Animals. Animals. The two young men, glossy hair crew cut, scrubbed clean-cut faces composed into humble contrition, bowed their heads in submission. The judge went on. “You acted like wild beasts in a jungle and you are fortunate you did not sexually molest that poor girl or I’d put you behind bars for twenty years.” The judge paused, his eyes beneath impressively thick brows flickered slyly toward the sallow-faced Amerigo Bonasera, then lowered to a stack of probation reports...

Words: 172795 - Pages: 692

Free Essay

The Godfather Analysis

...To start the mise-en-scene is used in a way that helps encourage the “uncomfortable” feeling most audience. The scene where Jeffery is hiding in the closet because Frank came was very unusual. To begin the closet itself was very cluttered and naturally this gives a very unpleasant feeling as he watches Dorthy being handled by Frank. Then in the main room everything was placed so closely around Dorthy which was odd because of what they were doing. In short, the placement of the objects surrounding the actors and actress contributed to the uneasy feeling Lynch created from the beginning of the movie. This leads me to my next point, while watching the movie I realized the deviation of the lighting created an abnormal field also. Why is it when Jeffery is walking up the stairs it is dark and gloomy, and then the Blue Velvet-esc music started playing? The abnormal lighting made it seem as if something bad was going to occur, how ever then the romatic music would start playing. I believe the mix of feelings from both technique is what is responsible for creating the uneasy feeling. Also, the editing that lead to the closet scene made it feel like Frank was going to murder Dorthy. They cut off nervous Jeffery, which the light from the cracks gleaming on his face and switched to Dorthy who at some point seemed to be enjoying Frank terrorizing her. This amplified the feeling Lynch was going for in my opinion. According to screen media.group naturalism contributed to the ‘unbinding...

Words: 330 - Pages: 2

Premium Essay

The Godfather (Film Review)

...The Godfather 1 Film Review Student’s name: Institutional Affiliations: The Godfather is a 1972 crime film based on Mario Puzo’s novel of the same name. It was directed by Francis Ford Coppola and produced by Albert S. Ruddy. Mario Puzo and Francis Ford Coppola did the screenplay. The film stars Al Pacino and Marlon Brando as the main characters in the story. Set in New York, Nevada and Sicily in the years between 1944 and 1955, the film follows the experiences of the family of Vito Corleone, the head of a powerful Mafia family in New York. In 1945, tycoon and drug dealer Sollozzo, with the backing of the Tattaglia family, asks for Vito’s backing through his connection with politicians, in Sollozzo’s drug business, in exchange for which he promises Corleone immense profits. Corleone is unyielding and Sollozzo begins a war among the five families of the New York Mafia. Sollozzo first attempts to assassinate Vito Corleone, but Corleone survives and is taken to hospital, where a second attempt on his life is foiled by Michael, his youngest son. While Vito is in hospital, Sonny, Vito’s oldest son, takes over running the family business. Sollozzo further kidnaps Tom Hagen, Vito’s right-hand man, to put pressure on Sonny to agree to his terms. In retaliation for his father’s attack, Sonny successfully arranges for the killing of Tattaglia’s son. Michael then machinates a plan to get rid of Sollozzo and McCluskey, a corrupt police officer and associate of Sollozzo. Under the...

Words: 764 - Pages: 4

Free Essay

Godfather Learnings

...to strengthen his power base and which have the potential to be reciprocal in the long run." Moore says building strategic partnerships enables companies to work through challenging markets and fast-track overall success. "As a CEO, I see it as part of my job to be a super connector, networking with the technology and investment community without an expectation of reciprocation. Partnerships forged through time, trust, and mutual benefit—such as those Axcient has built with HP, Ingram-Micro, and a vast network of service providers and resellers—are the types of community relationships that bring about the greatest returns." 2. Hold people accountable. What's the matter with you? I think your brain is going soft. ~Vito Corleone The Godfather reminds us of the importance of being tough when necessary. "As soon as Vito Corleone allowed a few moments of weakness to be seen by his enemy, they attempted to assassinate him. And it was largely because of failures of his team," Moore observes. "In business, accountability isn’t achieved by a murderous rampage. But the lesson is this—to be successful in business you have to be tough, and you have to be extremely focused on hitting goals and getting results," says Moore. That doesn’t mean patience and understanding don’t have a place, he says, but ongoing tolerance of low-performing people or products just eats away at the success of the...

Words: 730 - Pages: 3

Premium Essay

Comparison Of Black Mass And The Godfather

...Black Mass and The God Father I chose to write about two crime movies. The first movie is Black Mass which was directed by Scott Cooper. And the main character was my favorite actor, Johnny Depp. It was released in 2014. As for The Godfather, it was directed by Francis Ford Coppola. The protagonist was Marlon Brando. And the movie was released in 1972. Whitey Bulger, the brother of a state senator named William Bulger or Billy. He is also a Boston famous figure. Whitey and John Connolly grew up together in Boston. After few years ago, they meet again. Meanwhile, Connolly was an FBI agent. Whereas Whitey become an Irish Mob godfather and they were secretly trading to take down the Italian mafia family in Boston. In addition, Whitey's brother was involved in this dirty deal. Which lead them to commit crimes such as, racketeering, murders, drug dealing, and other crimes that made them FBI's most wanted list (especially Whitey)....

Words: 420 - Pages: 2

Free Essay

Essay 2: Anaylsis & Critique

...​ One of the greatest movies ever made is by far The Godfather. The film tells about poverty, the turn of the century, a family, and the hierocracy of politics in America. Being the first film that brought the real-life Cosa Nostra and Mafia to reality on the screen; it gave the public and viewers a new awareness and insight into the life of gangsters through the lens of organized crime. The term “Mafia” meaning Cosa Nostra or “our thing” was brought to the U.S with the migration of many Italians from Sicily in 1914. Many Italians turned to the Mafia life as a way of functioning as an alternate to the state, with its own “rights, treaties, and problems” (History.com).​I believe that the film The Godfather is an amazing film in history because behind its gangster plot, is a classic story of an American family tracing its journey from immigration and poverty to assimilation and success. ​ In filming the movie The Godfather, America and all the people were experiencing a time of turmoil and change. Accurately depicting the Sicilian-American experience of migration to America, speaks to many others who can relate to the immigration communities everywhere. A main quote used throughout this film is “its business, not personal” (Bruno) Used multiple times, the meaning of why it’s used is simply stated: “They do this in part to hide from the public the violent reality of what they do” (Bruno). The business that Don “Vito” and his son Michael are wrapped in is, the life of the...

Words: 1219 - Pages: 5

Free Essay

Godfather

...Acting and Directing for Film 9/21/14 The Godfather Essay Character Evolution Genuine character development is simply a product of habit and a result of cultivating yourself and working to become a certain way. Working to be that ‘perfect’ version of yourself. The youngest son of Don Vito Corleone, Michael Corleone, transforms from the most decent Corleone into the most despicable. It is this extremely astonishing yet extraordinary character arc that makes this film so memorable. In the beginning, Michael wanted absolutely nothing to do with the family business. Neither did his father want him to be involved in the Mafia. So instead Michael became an army man, enlisted in the Marine Corps and fought in the Pacific War. He wanted to be a good man, and lead an honest, more Americanized life. He wanted to be his own person, to be different from the ways of his family. Michael was always very shy and he never liked when family asked him to do any dirty work. But he would do it only for the care he has for his family. His father Don, did not want Michael involved in the business at all because that he could protect him and make sure that he was not dragged into the dangers the family business brought. The beginning of the movie shows that Michael has just come home from war, he was discharged early to recover from a wound and he returns to attend his sister Connie’s wedding. The opening scene, at the wedding, you can tell he just wants a normal life after he talks about...

Words: 1045 - Pages: 5

Free Essay

Ob Book Review- God Father

...THE GODFATHER INDIVIDUAL & GROUP BEHAVIOUR IN ORGANIZATIONS PRANITA BUBNA (A013) VEER JHA (A027) SHIPRA JHA(A029) VIKRAM KAUSHAL (A034) MOHAK MITTAL (A040) RAGHVENDRA (A045) MOHIT SUD ( A059) RITU YADAV (A063) GROUP #7 Table of Contents: 1. Introduction and summary of the book …………………………………………..2 2. Statement of Objectives of the Study.....…………………………………………..2 3. Method of Study ..…………………………………………………………………..2 4. Chapter wise summary and critical analysis...……………………………………3 5. Theoretical framework & Relating to practical aspects..………………………..5 6. Learning and Conclusion ...............……………………….……………………….7 7. Group Working and Team Roles…………………………………………………..8 8. References...................................................................................................................12 Page 1 INTRODUCTION AND SUMMARY The Godfather, written in 1969, by a renowned Italian-American author, Mario Puzo, is based on the organized crimes that New York witnessed post World War II. The book opens with the wedding of Connie Corleone, daughter of Don Vito 'The Godfather' Corleone, head of the most powerful of the five great Mafia clans or 'families' of New York. He is a paradigmatic mafia don. Don Corleone is shot at by a new contender for power in the city, Virgil 'the Turk' Sollozzo, who plans to obtain power by the lure of vast profits in the drug trafficking trade. In Don Vito’s absence, his elder son Santino Corleone assumes the responsibility of the don to...

Words: 4174 - Pages: 17

Free Essay

Godfather Death

...Richards Professor Kenneth Anania Composition 2 1 April 2016 Symbolism in Godfather Death From a young age most children have heard or read fables, not just for entertainment, but also for life lessons that their elders want them to know. Symbolism in fables is not only a great way to keep readers and listeners interested, but also to teach a lesson in a not so literal and harsh manner. Symbolism is used to state an underlying meaning in a story. Readers and listeners learn the lessons from the mistakes made by the protagonist of the work. There is always a lesson to be learned in a fable, the lesson may not be clearly stated but the symbolism of the work makes the reader realize the lesson that is being portrayed. Fables often have characters that aren’t human but possess human traits. The Grimm Brothers perfectly included symbolism in the short story “Godfather Death.” A father had a thirteenth child, who he could not afford because he was already so poor to begin with. Thirteen is an unlucky number in a lot of cultures. This shows the symbolism right in the beginning of the story. The father of the thirteenth child chose death to be the godfather of that child; he chose death because death does not discriminate between rich and poor, religion, or race. The father surpassed God as the godfather because he doesn’t disperse of wealth evenly. The father also denied the Devil to be the godfather because the devil tricks men and leads them astray from the right things in...

Words: 330 - Pages: 2

Premium Essay

A Conflict Resolution

...The Godfather Part II The Godfather Part II is the fiction movie that I have selected to describe the parties’ perceptions, the obstacles impeding resolution and how it might have been handled to a more satisfying resolution by using effective conflict resolution concepts (communication skills, Getting To Yes principles, TRIP goals). In this specific conflict, Michael Corleone has secured the head position in the family, and attempts to expand the family empire into Las Vegas and Cuba. The Corleone family no longer resides in New York. They have moved to Nevada where they are obtaining an influential reputation with the vague goal of some day becoming "legitimate." With Nevada Senator Pat Geary, Michael Corleone discusses the terms of a fourth state gaming license for the Corleone family, but the two only trade insults and demand payoffs. Michael: This is my lawyer, Tom Hagen; Senator Geary. He's the one who arranged this whole thing through your man Turnbull. Senator: Yes -- Yes. Senator: Well uh, it's perfectly all right with me, but I should tell you that I am a blunt man and I intend to speak very frankly to you -- maybe -- more frankly than anyone in my position's ever spoke to you before. The Corleone family has done very well here in Nevada. You own, or, you control, two major hotels in Vegas -- one in Reno. The licenses were grandfathered in, so there is no problem with the gaming commission. Now, my sources tell me that -- you plan to make a move...

Words: 1967 - Pages: 8

Free Essay

Robot

...On the day of his only daughter's wedding, Vito Corleone hears requests in his role as the Godfather, the Don of a New York crime family. Vito's youngest son, Michael, in a Marine Corps uniform, introduces his girlfriend, Kay Adams, to his family at the sprawling reception. Vito's godson Johnny Fontane, a popular singer, pleads for help in securing a coveted movie role, so Vito dispatches his consigliere, Tom Hagen, to Los Angeles to influence the abrasive studio head, Jack Woltz. Woltz is unmoved until the morning he wakes up in bed with the severed head of his prized stallion. Shortly before Christmas 1945, drug baron Virgil "The Turk" Sollozzo, backed by the Corleones' rivals, the Tattaglias, asks Vito for investment in the emerging drug trade and protection through his political connections. Vito disapproves of drug dealers, so he sends his enforcer, Luca Brasi, to spy on them. The family then receives two fish wrapped in Brasi's vest, imparting that he "sleeps with the fishes". An assassination attempt by Sollozzo's men lands Vito in the hospital, so his eldest son, Sonny, takes command. Sollozzo kidnaps Hagen to pressure Sonny to accept his deal. Michael thwarts a second assassination attempt on his father at the hospital; his jaw is broken by Police Captain McCluskey, who is also Sollozzo's bodyguard. Sonny retaliates for the attacks on his father by having Tattaglia's son killed. Michael comes up with a plan to hit Sollozzo and McCluskey: on the pretext of settling...

Words: 720 - Pages: 3

Premium Essay

Banning Books Portraying Violence

...Fabiola Rocha-Negrete Mr. Alkire English 1A, Sat. Class 27 October 2012 Banning Books Portraying Violence How much can a book that portrays violence affect a high school student? It can affect a student in many ways. In fact, it has more impact when a student reads a book that portrays violence than violent video games or movies. Rebecca Dawkins’s essay “Why Banning Books Isn’t Always Bad” discusses how many “concerned group of parents regularly pressure school boards to keep controversial classics out of the classroom” because of the violence and immoral values they portray for underage students. Books like “Valley of the Dolls by Jacqueline Susann (about three young women who abuse drugs to escape the pressures of show business); The Godfather by Mario Puzo (about the Italian-American mafia); and In Cold Blood by Truman Capote (about two real-life mass murderers)” are what should be kept out of high schools because those types of books for students who are exposed to the everyday dangers of drugs, gangs, and violence in schools make it seem okay in these books. Dawkins goes further on explaining how many high school teachers, including herself, agree with parents in the sense that these books are not age appropriate to be taught in a high school classroom especially in a setting where all of these issues are present everyday. I totally agree with Rebecca Dawkins that high school students would not relate to most characters in controversial books, teachers have no time to teach...

Words: 860 - Pages: 4

Free Essay

The God Father

...Perpetuah Mwai Professor Krajewski English 101 July 17 2012 The Godfather The film opens up with Don Corleone; the head of the family oversees his daughter’s wedding. Michael his last child had just returned from the war, but he doesn’t intend to join the family business, later he becomes the savior of Corleone’s family. 2. Turk a drug dealer requests Vito for investment and protection of his drug business through his political connections but Vito declines and disapproves the drug business. Vito says that his business [gambling] does not conflict with Turk’s. Later we see Vito sending Luca Brasi to spy on Tattaglia family but he doesn’t return. During chrismas, we see Michael and Kay celebrating and buying gifts while on the other hand Hagen is kidnapped, Sollozzo tries to assassinate Vito which lands him in the hospital. Michael stands as godfather during christening of Connie and Carlo’s son. As the christening proceeds, Moe Greene is assassinated on Michael’s orders. After christening Michael questions Carlo on his involvement in setting his brother’s [Sonny] murder and Carlo confesses he was approached by Barzini.Michael orders that he goes back to Vegas and he is escorted to the car, Clemenza kills him. Connie confronts Michael of her husband’s murder but Michael denies it. 3. Women in Corleone’s family were not...

Words: 854 - Pages: 4

Free Essay

Editing in Movies

...For editing I choose the movie The Baptism Murders- the Godfather where in this particular film “editing can shorten scenes that were shot, tighten them to pick the pace and increase dramatic tension, and lengthen scenes, stretching out reactions longer than were originally delivered by the actors” (Gokoontz, Jacobs, 2014). The scene begins after the passing of Don Corleone. Shortly after the funeral, the baptism continues where cross-cutting from one or more than one of the other performances all representing each other simultaneously. This may help in keeping the film in a more logical order while shortening the scenes in cross-cutting. Don Corleone passed away because of natural causes, it becomes obvious that the Barzinia family wants the power of the Corleone’s …though this scene cross cuts to show who is really in charge. The scene is called “Baptism and Murder” because while at the same time that Corleone’s enemies are killed during the Baptism of his nephew, after the funeral, the editors persist that the Baptism scene continue to show who the leader in charge of the family is. The camera remains still on the close up on the emotional importance precisely towards the baby or Michael, the Godfather. Panning the close shots inside and outside of the church. The author’s goal is to expose the complicated circumstance in the characters using cross-cutting joining the scenes that relate to many other missions. For cinematography I choose The Long Take: Goodfellas where this...

Words: 488 - Pages: 2

Premium Essay

Personal Computers

...Pearson Education Limited Edinburgh Gate, Harlow, Essex CM20 2JE, England 2nd Associated Companies throughout the world. ISBN-10: 0-582-41787-2 ISBN-13: 978-0-582-41787-8 First published in Great Britain by Random House UK Ltd 1969 This adaptation published by Penguin Books 1998 Published by Addison Wesley Longman Limited and Penguin Books Ltd. 1998 New edition first published 1999 7 9 10 8 Original copyright © Mario Puzo 1969 Adaptation copyright © Chris Rice 1998 Photographs copyright © Paramount reproduced by courtesy of The Ronald Grant Archive All rights reserved Typeset by Digital Type, London Set in ll/14pt Bembo Printed in China SWTC/07 All rights reserved; no part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the prior written permission of the Publishers. Published by Pearson Education Limited in association with Penguin Books Ltd, both companies being subsidiaries of Pearson Plc For a complete list of titles available in the Penguin Readers series please write to your local Pearson Education office or contact: Penguin Readers Marketing Department, Pearson Education, Edinburgh Gate, Harlow, Essex, CM20 2JE. Contents page iv Wedding on Long Island The Greatest Racehorse in the World Virgil Sollozzo Sicilian Message Seeds of Revenge Nothing Personal Apollonia A Bridge Too Far A Good American Wife 1 6 9 15 20 25 31 34...

Words: 16384 - Pages: 66