THE GODFATHER TURNS 50
In the neverending debate surrounding the question of the greatest film of all time, a few movies always rise to top of the leader board. There’s Citizen Kane, of course, and Casablanca. Seven Samurai gets plenty of mentions, as do more comparatively recent entries like The Shaw-shank Redemption and Do the Right Thing. But since its debut 50 years ago, one particular film has remained an essential part of that discussion. A film that’s just as much about family as it is about crime, a movie that says things about human nature even as it says things about the American experience, The Godfather succeeded beyond the expectations of its time. Based on a book that wasn’t even completed when the film rights were secured by Paramount, The Godfather changed the perception of organized crime dramas while also having a major impact on cinema itself.
One of the most compelling elements of film’s legacy is that it is beloved by disparate groups of people. Embraced equally by critics and audiences, it was praised for its cinematic greatness even as it raked in the box office. Americans adopted its extremely quotable screenplay into popular vernacular, so much so that offhand quips like “Leave the gun; take the canoli” or “Luca Brasi sleeps with the fishes” are almost universally understood. Whether it was for its themes of family and morality or the intense craftsmanship on display, The Godfather simply reached people across cultural and generational lines.
“At its heart, and where it rises above more standard gangster fare,
