The Godfather

(Francis Ford Coppola, US 1972, 175 min., 35mm)

One of the biggest box office hits of all time, The Godfather was dubbed the “Gone With the Wind of gangster movies.” Based on Mario Puzo’s best-selling novel, this epic rejuvenated the genre and can be seen as a metaphor for corruption on a larger scale, in both government and corporate America. Marlon Brando gives a legendary performance as Don Vito, the powerful head of the Corleone family, who takes care of business using whatever means necessary. The Godfather garnered three Academy Awards: Best Picture, Best Screenplay, and Best Actor (refused by Brando amid great controversy).