The godfather is a wise intelligent man whos authoritative code rests on respect, loyalty and fear. The godfather is a wise intelligent man whos authoritative code rests on respect, loyalty. The goal of this essay to do an aesthetic analysis of the godfather movie. Filming the light and dark side of the godfather tested. The godfather, american gangster epic film, released in 1972, that was adapted from the 1969 bestselling novel by mario puzo and has been regarded as a masterpiece since its release.
Apr 18, 2015 my friend stephen is both editorinchief and publisher of the american cinematographer, and has also recently finished writing a book about gordon. The cinematography of the godfather is dark and tasteful, and colors are used perfectly to give a true feel of the era it is set in. Email citation cowies book offers a wealth of detail on the production of each film, discussion of the reworking of puzos novel, and chapters on the main characters, the family, the misuse of power, and visual style. As you can see, there is low key lighting for the rest of the room. The cinematography of the godfather part ii involves. There is a fair amount of violence, though rarely gratuitous. The man who did more than any other to influence the entire art of cinematography through a single film was gordon willis. The book was better than the movies because it goes into detail not included in the movie. Cinematography in godfather the movie essay 638 words 3 pages mario puzos the godfather was the first and most influential gangster movie that paved the way for gangster movies of the future. The godfather the godfather, a name that stands for authority, is the title of the fictional novel and feature films written by mario puzo and directed by frank coppola. As willis recalled in the book masters of light, that technique or that. Before willis shot the godfather, movies were vastly overlit so they could be seen in the driveins and not disappear into the dark of the night.
The godfather is a 1972 american crime film directed by francis ford coppola who cowrote. The godfather trilogy cinema and media studies oxford. Not only is the film untainted by any poor scenes, the number of sensational ones are nearly countless. More often, its the boredom of stuffy rooms and a bad diet of carryout food, punctuated by brief, terrible bursts of violence. This second post focuses on the wonderful cinematography of the godfather.
Coppola presents don corleone as an omniscient being from the beginning of the film, and by his death, he is just a scruffy old man lying in a tomato patch. Vito corleone as the founder of the corleone crime family. The movie was directed by frances ford copolla, who made many different ingenious ways to portray this gangster classic. Because of the godfather, studios actually had to make two sets of prints, a lighter one for driveins, and a darker one for theaters. A modern masterpiece, the godfather is a searing portrayal of the 1940s criminal underworld. The corleone caporegimes carry out a violent massacre of all the heads of the new york families, as well as moe greene in las vegas.
Rated r based on the novel about the fictional mafia family in the 1940s. To emphasize the dark and evil atmosphere throughout the movie, coppola manages to shoot most of the scenes under very dark lighting and with blurry focus. Even though it employed familiar character types and situations, coppola painted a more vivid, realistic, and compelling portrait of mob life than. The godfather dramatizes this crisis of masculinity through male characters interactions with other men. A searing portrayal of the mafia underworld, the godfather introduced readers to the first family of american crime fiction, the corleones, and their powerful legacy of. Cinematographer, and has also recently finished writing a book. This book falls under the drama and crime fiction genres, due to its dramatic story of people being shot and murdered. The godfather audio book is even better than the book or movie. In the opening sequence of the godfather, there is a clear line between public and private. I love how in the mafia, there is a different code of ethics. Late in the godfather, when vito corleone collapses to the ground and his.
Cowies book offers a wealth of detail on the production of each film, discussion of the reworking of puzos novel, and chapters on the main characters, the family, the misuse of power, and visual style. The godfather is gebaseerd op het gelijknamige boek van mario puzo tevens. The academy award for best cinematography is an academy award awarded each year to a cinematographer for work on one particular motion picture. Putnams sons, the novel details the story of a fictional mafia family in new york city and long beach, new york, headed by vito corleone. The godfather employs a classic italianamerican mafia crime family in new york and nevada. The godfather takes place in new york during the years 19451955, right after world war ii. On the lawn of the corleone mall, connie corleone is getting married to carlo rizzi with much pomp and circumstance.
The godfather i just finished reading a book called the godfather which is written in 1969 by mario puzo. Notice that the camera opens, in the dark, under the foreboding tune of nino rotas timeless score to reveal a pair of sinister pupils set inside the deeply recessed. Amazingly, neither film was nominated for cinematography, proof perhaps that gordons approach was too radically different from the conventions of the day to be recognized. He is best known for his photographic work on seven woody allen films including annie hall and manhattan, six alan j.
Voor het boek the godfather putte misdaadschrijver mario puzo 19201999 deels uit zijn eigen leven. The godfather 1972 cast and crew credits, including actors, actresses, directors, writers and more. These are some personal lessons i learned from the film, and what i loved. And then there is gordon willis extraordinary cinematography that combines restrained compositions and movements with gutsy, revolutionary lighting. Puzos dedication for the godfather is for anthony cleri. The godfather eschewed simplistic genre stereotypes in favor of naturalistic characterizations, thanks in great part to the films extraordinary ensemble, including robert duvall, diane keaton, and talia shire. These effects portrayed the depraved development of the main characters, and the uncertainty of. The godfatherthe epic tale of crime and betrayal that became a global phenomenon. The godfather is simply more than just a mafia film in my opinion. This is because vito died in the first godfather film and coppola removed brando from the scene last minute to retain continuity. With its brilliant and brutal portrayal of the corleone family, the godfather burned its way into our national consciousness.
The producers pegged a young and relatively unknown director, francis ford coppola, to direct the movieand put him under the constant threat of being fired the entire time. While vito uses restrained movements to exert influence, sonnys big, brash, impulsive actions take up space. Whereas the public have relentlessly consumed the godfather as a piece of iconic cinematography, mafiosi have used it as a sort of style guide, an. The epigraph for the godfather is behind every great fortune there is a crime. The day comes when michael will be appointed godfather to connie and carlos baby son. Jul 28, 2009 the godfather opened march 15, 1972 runtime. In the introductory scene of the film, vito comes across as a powerful figure. Gordon willis tribute the godfather the american society of. Jul 23, 2015 the godfather, starring marlan brando, reveals itself to the audience not with loud, crashbanging action, but rather with rich character portrayal and quiet brooding atmosphere. The godfather by francis ford coppola francis ford coppola. Book 91 tyrant, blackmailer, racketeer, murderer his influence reaches every level of american society. If you havent read the first post about klute, i encourage you to do so before reading this one. Cinematographer gordon willis initially turned down the opportunity to film the godfather because the production seemed chaotic to him. These include the quality of the film stock, the manipulation of the camera lens, framing, scale and movement some theoreticians and film historians bordwell, thompson would also include duration, or the length of the shot, but we discuss the long take in our editing page.
Gordon willis, who passed away on may 18, 2014, will always be best known as the cinematographer of the godfather films. Gordon willis tribute the godfather part ii the american. Cinematography is the act of capturing photographic images in space through the use of a number of controllable elements. We know from gay taleses book honor thy father that being a professional mobster isnt all sunshine and roses. While michael is in the church, his grand plan unfolds. Fascinating insights such as how did they shoot the horsehead scene a real shocker here, what did the.
The godfather by francis ford coppola francis ford. Academy award for best cinematography country united states presented by academy of motion picture arts and sciences ampas first awarded 1929 most recent winner roger deakins 1917 2019 website oscars. My friend stephen is both editorinchief and publisher of the american cinematographer, and has also recently finished writing a book about gordon. As a result, the lighting and cinematography of the godfather are some of the best routes to understanding the philosophical and thematic. Pakula films including all the presidents men, four james bridges films, and all three films from francis ford coppolas the godfather series. The godfatherthe classic saga of an american crime family that became a global phenomenonnominated as one of americas bestloved novels by pbss the great american read. The godfather broke every classical rule in the book, and much of. Depth of field is the measure that can be applied to the area in focus within the frame. This is exactly the feel of the godfather, which brushes aside the flashy glamour of the traditional gangster picture and gives us whats. An immigrant from sicily who witnessed both his parents shot. Revenge, envy, and parentchild conflict mix with the. The godfather cinematographer gordon willis died at age. Specifically, it will focus on its cinematography, lighting techniques, editing style, sound, camera techniques, and acting. The godfather, starring marlan brando, reveals itself to the audience not with loud, crashbanging action, but rather with rich character portrayal and quiet brooding atmosphere.
When the closing credits roll, only a portion of the story has been told. The godfather certainly doesnt need my recommendation. But it is the brilliant cinematography of gordon willis that is groundbreaking and is as much a part of the godfather legacy as any other aspect of the film. Part 2 near the end of the film the dinner scene doesnt include vito corleone. Samen met zijn cameraman gordon willis besloot coppola een tragere film te. How do filmmakers convey character or plot development without using dialogue. The directing by francis ford coppola, the cinematography, the acting performances by al pacino, marlon brando, robert duvall, james caan, etc. Oct 06, 2016 as a result, the lighting and cinematography of the godfather are some of the best routes to understanding the philosophical and thematic undertones of the film, making willis in many opinions an. Cinematography in godfather the movie essay 638 words. Cinematography is a function of the relationship between the camera lens and a light source, the focal length of the lens, the cameras position and its capacity for motion. It is one of the best in alltime literature history.
Filming the light and dark side of the godfather by david konow on aug. This third post focuses on the wonderful cinematography of the godfather, part ii. The godfather is perhaps one such book which has cast its name in golden letters, across the hearts of its admirers for time infinite. This unforgettable saga of crime and corruption, passion and loyalty continues to. James caan as santino sonny corleone in the godfather ii thats the end of godfather videos. But willis cinematography was a bold step forward, changing the look of movies forever. A historical curiosity that proved instrumental for. If you love movies and how theyre made, get this book. Gordon willis tribute the godfather the american society. The director used violence sparingly, but was unstinting in depicting its savagery, and he orchestrated the operatic plot complications. The godfather played by marlon brando gordon willis tribute thefilmbook. It is the second installment in the godfather trilogy.
After the baptism is over, tom hagen also has tessio killed. Cinematographer gordon willis talks about godfather. Jul 02, 2009 the godfather is perhaps one such book which has cast its name in golden letters, across the hearts of its admirers for time infinite. The godfather also made cinema history by introducing a new style of. I already answered you once before, below but i just realized what youre probably actually asking about. Nov 14, 2016 whereas the public have relentlessly consumed the godfather as a piece of iconic cinematography, mafiosi have used it as a sort of style guide, an odd occurrence where life is imitating an art.
May 03, 2012 but it is the brilliant cinematography of gordon willis that is groundbreaking and is as much a part of the godfather legacy as any other aspect of the film. Don vito corleone, also known as the godfather, is the patriarch of the corleone crime family. The godfather audiobook is even better than the book or movie. Part ii involves certainly one of the most amazing uses of photography and lighting in the movie history. At its core, the godfather is a study of how michael and his family are changed by the ebbs and flows of power. Meet don corleone, a friendly man, a just man, a reasonable man. Rafael aziz english 112 professor julian 8 march 2014 the godfather the godfather was regarded as the second best films of all time after the shawshank redemption. The godfather cinematographer gordon willis died at age 82. Ive heard that the godfathers cinematography is quite unconventional for its time and can be viewed as revolutionary. If you have watched the movie, but havent read the book, then trust me you are going to enjoy it even more since the movie has extracted at most 30 percent of the essence of what the book provides. Yet that last haunting image kays shock of recognition, coupled with nino rotas mournful score, leaves a craterlike impression that the godfather part ii.
The godfather was adapted from mario puzos smash hit novel of the same title. The movies director francis ford coppola has received numerous awards for showcasing the gangster character in the movie. The godfather may have been francis ford coppolas magnum opus, but often enough he found himself seceding power to his legendary. Because it has everything inside, much a great novel. Yet that last haunting image kays shock of recognition, coupled with nino rotas mournful score, leaves a craterlike impression that the godfather part ii only deepens. Although, as i said, the cinematography cant be called revolutionary heres the thing that people most often refer to regarding how the movie was shot that wasnt typical in films of that period beyond the use of a yellowishembrowned filtering to replicate the nostalgic. Its creative cinematography, haunting score, and unforgettable performances by such actors as marlon brando and al pacino made the multigenerational saga an. Would someone who understands the context of when the movie was made better than myself mind explaining ifwhy this is true. At least one recent poll ranked the godfather as hollywoods top movie of all time, and its not surprising coppolas epic crime drama is still revered after all this time. Cinematography in godfather the movie essay 638 words 3 pages mario puzo s the godfather was the first and most influential gangster movie that paved the way for gangster movies of the future.
The godfather is long, yes but it is onehundred seventy minutes wellspent. One of the greatest films and novels of all time, the godfather by mario puzo is the book that i chose to write my report about. It is a good time to note here that astonishingly, willis received only one academy award nomination for his groundbreaking cinematography on all three films in the trilogy and that was. The godfather single camera techniques 24 march, 1972 figure 1 lighting figure 2 lighting again, the light is majorly shining onto brando, showing his importance and radiating his power.
Inside the house, her father, don vito corleone, conducts his business. The godfather is a crime novel by american author mario puzo. If you havent read the previous posts about the first godfather, i encourage you to do so before reading this one. They say great movies should have a minimum of three great scenes and zero flaws well, if thats the criteria, the godfather has surpassed it in spades. As i noted here last week, the first two godfather movies may well.
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