The year was 1972 and the month March. An era when gangster movies were aplenty, another film released in just six theaters to raving reviews. The theatrical release expanded soon after and Francis Ford Coppola’s gangster flick raged into households and conversations. The movie was a colossal success and nominated for a string of awards including 11 Academy awards. Two successful sequels followed. Cut to 50 years later, the movie has achieved a cult classic status. On the film’s 50-year anniversary, Paramount Pictures re-released the movie again – this time in 156 theatres. And it made over three times that it made back in 1972. That movie was ‘The Godfather’.
As the iconic movie completes 50 years this month, the movie has struck a new chord. Newer generations have taken to the movie and its sequels and despite being made half a century ago, The Godfather is very relevant in today's age.
Revolving around a mafia boss played by Marlon Brando who passes his legacy of power and violence to his sons, The Godfather was unafraid to tread grey areas explored seldom in cinema back then. The characters journey through complex emotions and situations and face off against each other in sibling rivalries in their ultimate quest for absolute power. Coppola along with writer of the book Mario Puzo finally weaved elements into the final script to make a piece of art that won them the Oscar for Best Adapted Screenplay.
Marlon Brando, who was a skinny 47-year-old when he played boss Vito Corleone - father to 33-year-old Al Pacino’s Michael Corleone, also won the Academy Award for Best Actor which he declined to accept. On the day of the award show, that is now stuff of Oscar legend, Brando sent in Native American actor Sacheen Littlefeather to accept it his award in a statement against the poor treatment of native Americans in Hollywood.
The movie, a commentary on everything ranging from patriarchy, family values, brotherhood, the status and treatment of immigrations, politics, power dynamics, marginalization of women, crime and capitalism will continue to stand out for generations to come.
Twitter celebrated the half-century of The Godfather with a fitting tribute with quotes, trivia, behind the scenes and photographs.
I wish this interview had gone on forever https://t.co/bli0ZQk8Y4— Seth Meyers (@sethmeyers) March 14, 2022
just saw The Godfather referred to as a cult classic and I think I need to lie down.— Will Ross (@SadHillWill) March 3, 2022
Released on this day 50 years ago (14 March, 1972):'The Godfather'
Directed by Francis Ford Coppola pic.twitter.com/XBK4Qqo7CG
— World Cinema (@WorldCinemania) March 14, 2022
The Godfather represents the peak of critical and commercial success, being both the highest grossing film of the year and the best picture winner, a feat only repeated four times since (Rocky, Rain Man, Titanic, Return Of The King) pic.twitter.com/m0KwPidCwV— Samuel J. May (@sjmay92) March 14, 2022
“When I actually read the ‘Godfather’ book, I kept imagining him… I didn’t have a second choice. It was, for me, always Al Pacino. That’s the reason why I was so tenacious about getting him to play Michael. That was my problem.” - Francis Ford Coppola pic.twitter.com/UiTk4eQc7f— Best of Al Pacino (@bestofpacino) March 11, 2022
Behind the scenes of The Godfather (1972) pic.twitter.com/ratw3pecNj— Best of Al Pacino (@bestofpacino) March 7, 2022
“I’m here because I did The Godfather. For an actor, that’s like winning the lottery. When it comes right down to it, I had nothing to do with the film but play the part.” Al Pacino on “The Godfather” for @nytimes pic.twitter.com/7p6h9Ny27t— Best of Al Pacino (@bestofpacino) March 10, 2022
On March 14, 1972, “The Godfather” premiered at Loew’s State Theatre in New York City. It would gross nearly $300 million, win three Oscars, and is considered one of the greatest and most influential films ever made. #TheGodfather50 pic.twitter.com/QYtJcRm2aq— 70s Daily Dose (@70sDailyDose) March 14, 2022
Al Pacino and James Caan on the set of
The Godfather (1972) pic.twitter.com/TZez02VKcF— The Man who wins % (@1Mlllrtin) March 13, 2022
The Godfather (1972) dir. Francis Ford Coppola pic.twitter.com/ulfnoe1h96— cinesthetic (@TheCinesthetic) March 6, 2022
Tony Lip in "The Godfather" (1972) pic.twitter.com/bfH80sSGwJ— 633 Stag Trail Road (@pityforyourself) March 14, 2022
50 years ago today: The world premiere for THE GODFATHER took place at Loews's State Theatre in New York.50 Years of The Godfather pic.twitter.com/yA1MWkoPnO
— Sriram Sriharsha (@SriharshaSriram) March 14, 2022
A WIP tribute to The Godfather 50th anniversary pic.twitter.com/O9U5TLVri8— Robin (@TheRoubz) March 7, 2022
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