The Godfather

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1) Relate what was discussed in class or the text to the screening.

The always remember able film, the Godfather, was directed in 1972 by Francis Ford Coppola. This anti-hero film was nominated 11 times; however, only ended up winning 3 awards: best picture, best actor, and best adapted screenplay. Many themes all screamed though the screen while watching this film. The theme of family and family values was huge. The main characters were from the Corleone family whose first priority was protecting themselves and those they loved. In result of the film, it revised the Gangster Genre. After The Godfather came out hit series and films like Good fellas and the Sopranos rocked the media. Still to this day, the Godfather is one of the highest grossing films of all time. 

2)  Find a related article and summarize the content. 

This article summarizes the violence, loyalty, family values, and love that played apart in the film the Godfather. Originally, the director did not really feel like making this movie. Coppola really need the money after blowing a great deal of cash on nice equipment and other movies that did not make it. Coppola ended up taking on the film because he really needed the cash. Everyone thought that it was just going to be a "quick gangsta film" when in reality it made the film a modern classic. It was actually said that Paramount's executives did not even want to hire Brando and Pacino; especially, when Pacino forgot some lines during his audition. 

3) Apply the article to the film screened in class.   

I thought the article was quite interesting. Comparing the background info to the film you can see how strong of actors they, Branco and Pacino really were. Branco was not going to even audition at first. Coppola secretly went over to his house one day to "find his character." His acting ability in the first part of the film was amazing. He really came off as a true gangster. For a director to have so much pressure on himself to make a successful film really showed how much work he put into the film. 

4) Write a critical analysis of the film. 

After watching this film you as a audience member can really see what makes the Godfather such a hit! What really got me was how the film, just like a family does, it grew and changed. From the beginning of the film you see Vito being a strong, powerful mob boss. The film then ends with his son, who originally didn't even want to be apart of the "family" become the top leader. At the very last scene you see Michael taking over the full responsibilities that his father unfortunately left behind him. I thought it was a nice touch especially with the theme that they displayed throughout the film. Just like the weather, seasons, and family things change and you just need to go with it.

Checklist for Plagiarism  

(x) I have not handed in this assignment for any other class. 

(x) If I reused any information from other papers I have written for other classes, 

I clearly explain that in the paper. 

(x) If I used any passages word for word, I put quotations around those words, 

or used indentation and citation within the text. 

(x) I have not padded the bibliography. I have used all sources cited 

in the bibliography in the text of the paper. 

(x) I have cited in the bibliography only the pages I personally read. 

(x) I have used direct quotations only in cases where it could not be stated in another way.

 I cited the source within the paper and in the bibliography. 

(x) I did not so over-use direct quotations that the paper lacks

 interpretation or originality. 

(x) I checked yes on steps 1-7 and therefore have been fully

 transparent about the research and ideas used in my paper. 

Colleen McGovern

 12/18/13