The Godfather

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3:43

The Godfather

R

Released Mar 15, 1972

2h 57m

Crime

Drama

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Popcornmeter

97%

Tomatometer

153 Reviews

98%

Popcornmeter

250,000+ Ratings

Widely regarded as one of the greatest films of all time, this mob drama, based on Mario Puzo's novel of the same name, focuses on the powerful Italian-American crime family of Don Vito Corleone (Marlon Brando). When the don's youngest son, Michael (Al Pacino), reluctantly joins the Mafia, he becomes involved in the inevitable cycle of violence and betrayal. Although Michael tries to maintain a normal relationship with his wife, Kay (Diane Keaton), he is drawn deeper into the family business.

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Critics Consensus

One of Hollywood's greatest critical and commercial successes, The Godfather gets everything right; not only did the movie transcend expectations, it established new benchmarks for American cinema.

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Tom Huddleston

Time Out

This is not only grand entertainment, but an emotional and intellectual experience to rival any in cinema.

Rated: 5/5

Dec 12, 2024

Full Review

Wendy Ide

Times (UK)

This magnificent multigenerational mafia drama represents a benchmark not just in crime movies but in American cinema as a whole.

Aug 16, 2023

Full Review

Steven D. Greydanus

Catholic World Report

Now half a century old, Francis Ford Coppola's revered New Hollywood masterpiece has one of the best-known final shots in film history - but it almost had a much more Catholic ending.

Apr 8, 2022

Full Review

Marcelo Paredes

Cinencuentro

While the concept of "auteur cinema" had been circulating for years, it is with this film that it is definitively consolidated, marking the beginning of a new way of making films. [Full review in Spanish]

Apr 23, 2025

Full Review

Megan Fisher

Loud and Clear Reviews

Coppola was able to take a trashy pulp novel and turn it into something close to Shakespeare; a sweeping, epic tale of family, crime, corruption and the Immigrant experience in America.

Jan 11, 2025

Full Review

Ben Gibbons

Screen Rant

The Godfather remains a powerful film that explores intricate themes that appear to contradict, but Coppola's storytelling ties it together.

Rated: 9/10

Nov 27, 2024

Full Review

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Thomas V

it insists upon itself

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

03/25/25

Full Review

Tom C

A classic, of course 5 stars.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

07/01/24

Full Review

Arlene B

It was so worth seeing The Godfather on the big screen. Obviously, this is a 5 Star movie. If you have never seen it, or it has been years since you have seen it, if it is ever playing in a theater near you, you should definitely see it in a theater. I was hoping to see that The Godfather Part 2 would also be shown in theaters, but so far it doesn't look like it is on the schedule.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

04/11/24

Full Review

David S

Fantastic Restoration by Paramount!!!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

04/11/24

Full Review

Scott

Need to see in theatres

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

09/13/22

Full Review

Manny V

Classic, Greatest mafia movie of all time

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

09/13/22

Full Review

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Francis Ford Coppola

Director

Marlon Brando

Don Vito Corleone

Al Pacino

Michael Corleone

James Caan

Santino "Sonny" Corleone

Richard S. Castellano

Pete Clemenza

Robert Duvall

Tom Hagen

The Godfather: Official Clip - The New Godfather

2:03

The Godfather: Official Clip - Don't Ever Take Sides Against the Family

2:12

The Godfather: Official Clip - Killing Sollozzo and McCluskey

2:13

The Godfather: Official Clip - Working for My Father

1:56

The Godfather: Official Clip - The Baptism Murders

1:22

The Godfather: Official Clip - The Horse Head

1:30

The Godfather: Official Clip - Sonny is Killed

1:26

The Godfather: Official Clip - Michael Loses Appolonia

2:13

The Godfather: Official Clip - It's Strictly Business

2:09

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The Godfather: Trailer 1

3:43

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Synopsis

Widely regarded as one of the greatest films of all time, this mob drama, based on Mario Puzo's novel of the same name, focuses on the powerful Italian-American crime family of Don Vito Corleone (Marlon Brando). When the don's youngest son, Michael (Al Pacino), reluctantly joins the Mafia, he becomes involved in the inevitable cycle of violence and betrayal. Although Michael tries to maintain a normal relationship with his wife, Kay (Diane Keaton), he is drawn deeper into the family business.

Director: Francis Ford Coppola
Producer: Albert S. Ruddy
Screenwriter: Francis Ford Coppola, Mario Puzo, Mario Puzo
Distributor: Paramount Pictures
Production Co: Paramount Pictures
Rating: R
Genre: Crime, Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Mar 15, 1972, Wide
Rerelease Date (Theaters): Feb 25, 2022
Release Date (Streaming): Aug 1, 2013
Box Office (Gross USA): $134.8M
Runtime: 2h 57m
Sound Mix: Mono
Aspect Ratio: Flat (1.85:1)

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