The Godfather (1972)
Is it really the greatest film of all time?
Presentation:
The Godfather is one of those mandatory films every cinephile must watch. Mario Puzo’s novel has become so embedded into the Hollywood zeitgeist that it has become a ubiquitous trope not only in cinema but pop culture as well. When you think of gangsters, you think Francis Ford Coppola and the Italian mafia. Visually this film isn’t particularly stunning compared to the cinematography of Bertolucci, rather focusing on individual closeups and Italian heritage. People will talk about Marlon Brando’s iconic performance with his jaw prosthetic, but I think all the accolades deserve to go to Al Pacino. The way he masterfully expresses his inner thoughts on screen with just his eyes is similar to The Conformist, another fantastic Italian classic. Even if you haven’t watched this film yet, in some ways you already have because its ideas already permeate everything you watch.
Conclusion:
Although I think The Godfather Part II is the greater film, this icon should be watched first. Is it a masterpiece? Without question. Will it blow you away? I’m not so sure about that if you’re watching this in 2026. It seems as though this film has become more of an idea than a film, the baseline for all of cinema similar to Citizen Kane. The storytelling is intelligent and subtle making for a tasteful classic, but I’m not convinced that this is the greatest film of all time. Perhaps you needed to watch this during its release to feel its revolutionary impact, but it’s now been memed to death with dilettantes giving it endless sycophantic praise. Regardless of anyone’s opinion, this is still a must watch on your filmmaking journey.
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Is it really the greatest film of all time?