It is the 50th Anniversary of the release of the movie, “The Godfather.”  Sometimes, it all begins with a book.  A friend had met Mario Puzo, (the author of the book) at a health spa retreat. She said I have to read the book. And, as I did, it rose to number 1 on the best sellers list.  People were even reading it on the subway.  I read it and found Puzo’s depiction of the mob’s honor system, family dysfunction, violence, and romance spellbinding. 

When the “hot’ new filmmaker Francis Ford Coppola was given the director’s job, I knew I had to see it on the opening weekend (March 14,1972).  I was not disappointed. The scope of the story brilliantly detailed the Corleone family from 1945-1955.  Marlon Brando plays the patriarch of the family and his son’s (Al Pacino) transformation from outsider to ruthless boss becomes the core of the movie.  The movie was a colossal hit.  It was the number 1 box office hit of the year and won the Oscar’s Best Picture.

The “Godfather’s” success led to a “Godfather II” sequel that some consider to be an even better film than the original. The influence of the movies led to a “mob” genre of film and television that brought us the Good Fellas and the Sopranos. The classic lines of the movie have become part of our culture. “It’s not personal Sonny. It’s strictly, business.” and “I’m gonna make him an offer he can’t refuse” are just two of the examples that resonate.

Do you like “Godfather I” or “Godfather II” more?  I vote for II, but love the original, too.