Coppola’s pure genius was expressed in four films made in a row between 1972 and 1979 (The Godfather I, The Conversation, The Godfather II and Apocalypse Now) which earned him 2 Oscars, 2 Palme d’Or at Cannes and eternal glory.
If the first part of the Godfather was only an accepted studio order to pay off large debts, the film poses the genre of mafia film, definitively, with scenes of anthology often copied but never equaled, supported by immense actors who owe to the film their consecration (Al Pacino, Robert Duvall, Talia Shire, James Caan, John Cazale) or their resurrection (Marlon Brando – who gets the only Oscar of his career for the role of Vito Corleone in the film -, and Sterling Hayden).
The opening scene of Connie’s wedding pretexts guests under police surveillance to come one by one to ask the Godfather for a “service”, the final scene of the baptism during which Michael performs the vendetta in good standing of his rivals before being inducted Godfather in turn, and between the two equally mythical scenes, the attack on Vito in the streets of the Bronx , Sonny’s murder at the highway toll booth or Mike’s revenge against his rival and the police chief in the small restaurant.
The Godfather II introduces De Niro as Vito Corleone young. Considered the best episode of the saga, it won 6 Oscars including Best Film and Best Director for Coppola.
1962 – Tonight for Sure
1962 – The Bellboy and the Playgirls (co-directed with Fritz Umgelter)
1963 – Dementia 13
1966 – You’re a Big Boy Now
1968 – Finian’s Rainbow
1969 – The Rain People
1972 – The Godfather
1974 – The Conversation
1974 – Mario Puzo’s The Godfather: Part II
1979 – Apocalypse Now
1982 – One from the Heart
1983 – The Outsiders
1983 – Rumble Fish
1984 – The Cotton Club
1986 – Captain Eo
1986 – Peggy Sue Got Married
1987 – Gardens of Stone
1988 – Tucker: The Man and His Dream
1989 – Life Without Zoe
1990 – Mario Puzo’s The Godfather: Part III
1992 – Bram Stoker’s Dracula
1996 – Jack
1997 – The Rainmaker
2007 – Youth Without Youth
2009 – Tetro
2011 – Twixt
