The Godfather Trilogy: Coppola Restoration

The GodfatherRegarded as one of the best American films ever by the American Film Institute, Francis Ford Coppola's epic masterpiece features Marlon Brando in his Oscar-winning role as the patriarch of the Corleone family.The Godfather is a violent and chilling portrait of the Sicilian family's struggle to stay in power in a post-war America of corruption, deceit and betrayal. Coppola begins his legendary trilogy, masterfully balancing the story of the Corleone's family life and the ugly crime business in which they are engaged. Based on Mario Puzo's best-selling novel and featuring career-making performances by Al Pacino, James Caan, and Robert Duvall, this searing and brilliant film garnered ten Academy Award nominations and won three including Best Picture of 1972.The Godfather: Part IIIn what is undeniably one of the best sequels ever made, Francis Ford Coppola continues his epic Godfather trilogy with this saga of two generations of power within the Corleone family. Coppola, working once again with author Mario Puzo, crafts two interwoven stories that work as both prequel and sequel to the original. One shows the humble Sicilian beginnings and New York rise of a young Don Vito, now played in an Oscar-winning performance for Best Supporting Actor by Robert De Niro. The other shows the ascent of Michael (Al Pacino) as the new Don. Reassembling many of the cast members who helped make The Godfather, Coppola produced a movie of staggering magnitude and vision. The film received eleven Academy Award nominations, winning six including Best Picture of 1974.The Godfather: Part IIIIn the final installment of the epic Corleone trilogy, Al Pacino reprises his role as powerful family leader Michael Corleone. Now in his 60s, Michael is consumed with guilt for his past deeds while he plans his family's re-emergence as a completely legitimate corporation in this exciting, long-awaited film. Masterfully exploring the themes of power, tradition, revenge and love, Francis Ford Coppola directs Pacino, Andy Garcia, Diane Keaton, Talia Shire, Eli Wallach, Sofia Coppola, Joe Mantegna and others in this final chapter of the trilogy. Nominated for seven Academy Awards in 1990, including Best Picture.