The Godfather (1972) Filmmakers react! 1st Time Watching for MAJOR!!
2023 ж. 23 Қаң.
14 374 Рет қаралды
Some say it's the greatest movie ever made, some say it's the greatest Modern film. But we can all agree it's certainly way up there as films go, and it definitely is the greatest gangster Film of all time. I'm talking about "the Godfather" Al Pacino, Marlon Brando, Robert Duvall, James Caan. Mafia Movie Madness continues.
Enjoy my friends.
Also Please check out my short film "Strangers in the Night:" on the Screamfest Homepage you can find it here.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=TRL3H...
Anyway Go on a an 80's ride of Nostalgia enjoy your favorite films asI did. Watch comment like subscribe! Do all the things which make us happy
please like and subscribe!
The Godfather's speech at the meeting of the Dons is absolutely chilling. "...or if he is struck by a bolt of LIGHTNING...then I'm going to BLAME some of the people in this room..."
But I'm a suspicious man...I often think of these lines. Iconic.
"And that I do NOT forgive."
'I swear I will not be the one to break the peace that we've made here today.' He wasn't lying. It was Michael.
What they pass out at the wedding between Apollonia and Michael are Jordan almonds also known as Confetti. It symbolizes the bitterness of life and sweetness of love and is a traditional Italian wedding favor.
A+++
Thank you!
The Oscar on the table next to Jack Waltz's bed is genuine. Francis Coppola won it for best adapted screenplay for PATTON while filming THE GODFATHER and they shipped it out to him.
There is a Sicilian wedding tradition of handing out a spoonful of white, candied almonds to the guests.
Pacino's grandparents were from Corleone, Sicily
@09:42 Santino talking here (out of order) gets his father soon shot. Santino Corleone expressed interest to the drug business, Sollozzo noticing this decides killing Vito makes his son Sonny the new Don. Sollozzo counts on Santino liking the narko deal. That's why Vito berates him just after the meeting: *Don't tell anybody outside the family what you're thinking again.*
Btw, the newborn in the baptism scenes at the end was Coppola’s daughter, Sofia, known today as a director.
My favorite line … “ Hello Carlo”
It’s Sicilian for “Goodbye Carlo”
The actor who played Barzini, Richard Conte, had an impressive career in the movies & TV, playing good guys and bad. He's great in "Call Northside 777" as an innocent man in prison for murder (also with Jimmy Stewart) made in 1948, "The Big Combo" playing a real dirty mob boss from 1955 as well as a 1959 Twilight Zone episode "Perchance to Dream" as a man afraid to fall asleep.
Watch Part 2 right away. Do not delay. And, part 3 would be a great film if it weren’t part of this saga, it suffers in comparison to the first 2, but is solid, and the opera motif becomes literal, which I personally found satisfying. I haven’t watched the recut version, but have heard good things, maybe try that one.
We're on it.
@@MajorProgressanyone ever told u guys how personal killing carlo was to michael? He gets santinos godfather to kill him while michael himself watched.
The 3 supplicants who ask favors of Don Vito at the wedding at the beginning of the movie all end up doing favors for the Corleone family. The undertaker with the assaulted daughter gets Sonny’s body presentable for his funeral. The baker that Vito kept from being deported helps Michael save Vito at the hospital. And Johnny Fontaine pays Back the horse head deal by agreeing to perform at the Corleone’s casino.
This film was released the same year as Deliverance, Last Tango in Paris, Cabaret, The Getaway, Cries and Whispers, Slaughterhouse 5, The Ruling Class, The Candidate. What a marvelous year for films.
that IS amazing
Brando only used cotton balls in his mouth for his original screen test.For the actual movie,makeup artist Dick Smith made a special dental appliance that fit over his lower teeth,which had a specially shaped piece of plastic on either side to push his jowls out and give him a "bulldog" look.
At the wedding they were giving out Jordan almonds - scoops sugar-coated almonds - it was what was given as wedding favors.
@17:47 Notice how there are kids playing or crying (family) in almost every scene with Vitto Corleone, like this scene, and also in the beginmning of the movie, when Luca Brasi came in to see Vitto at his daughter's wedding, and other scenes to come. The director wants us to remember Vitto as a "family man", especially when compared to the "next Don".
Notice also that they have take-out food when they discuss the assassination at the restaurant. A bit odd for that Italian family, where cooking is part of the culture. But the take-out underscores the seriousness of the discussion, being secluded from the rest of the family.
Gordon Willis the DP underexposed the interiors which gives it beautiful glow
The actress that played Appolina was only seventeen in this film, she was beauty I agree.
At the wedding in Scilly they were spooning out sugared almonds to guests.
I really wish some movie reactors would go back to the early days, to some of the most innovative and influential filmmakers in history, like FW Murnau (The Last laugh, Sunrise), Buster Keaton (Sherlock Jr., The General), or Rouben Mamoulian (Dr.Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, Love Me Tonight). Those guys did things no one else had done before. They had groundbreaking ideas that continue to resonate almost 100 years later.
Check out Movies with Mia. She does Hollywood classics from the 1920's to the 70's.
I wholeheartedly agree with your recommendations, but the key to a successful reaction channel is to focus on movies, songs, comedy routines, etc. that already have a huge fan base. For the most part, the audience wants to watch someone else experience something they love for the first time so that more people can share in the joy they feel. Having said that, it was really refreshing to see such a thoughtful breakdown of this classic film. I was a film student back in the 80s and have been in the business most of my adult life, so I've seen WAY more films than the average viewer. Between school and being a regular patron of L.A.'s art house cinemas since I was about 12 years old, I've also seen a lot of films from the silent era. TCM used to have a weekly feature called Silent Sundays that I watched regularly too. You're absolutely correct in saying that many of those films are just amazing! From a lighting perspective alone, I'd have to say that almost everything we've seen since was first done 100 years ago in a silent film. It was unquestionably the most innovative period in film history and it's truly a shame that 99% of those films have been lost forever, or exist only in little pieces. I'm so grateful for people like Scorsese who donate generously to film preservation efforts.
You want to blow your mind? Brando did THREE movies the same year: "The Nightcomers", "The Godfather", and "Last Tango In Paris". Go look at a random clip or two from "The Nightcomers", and go look up a couple from "Last Tango", especially the long monologue when he's next to his wife's coffin. Three COMPLETELY different characters and performances, all in the same year. He looked nothing like "The Godfather" in real life at that point. When you see those three characters back-to-back, even in clips, you truly realize what a great actor he is, and how good he is in "Godfather" (and the other two as well). And of course, he has a string of iconic, groundbreaking performances from the 50s and 60s, and watching those also bring home how great - and different - he is in "The Godfather". Audiences in 1972 definitely knew Brando's work and his Godfather performance works best in context of these other great performances.
Effing love this and Youtubing all of these clips! When you have a Master of their craft, you have a master of their craft!
Not only is The Godfather a stunning masterpiece and part 2 also but it has taught me so many lessons in life, one in particular, to leave the gun and always, ALWAYS... take the cannolis.
That line wasn't in the script, Castellano threw it in and they kept it.
You neglected mentioning the symbolism of all the scenes where oranges are prominently shown 🤔. The influence of this movie on subsequent films is amazing; even comedies like _Airplane!_ satirized the horse-in-bed trope among its many older movie references. OTOH, Coppola also had some older film-noir influence like the use of ambient lighting indoors and at night outdoors, and the symbolic use of half-shadowed faces.
Maybe because the oranges aren't the most important bit of symbolism in the film and the only reason YOU are talking about it is because you saw someone else point it out. YOU neglected to mention the key lines of the movie, the lines that made Brando want to do the movie, and that Coppola was aiming to convey: "Senators and Presidents don't have people killed." "Now who's being naive?" It's great you're all concerned about oranges, but they were noticing the superb cinematography and acting. The oranges is like the hundredth thing you point out about The Godfather.
The wedding scene, they were handing out Jordan Almonds (candied)
Leave the pistol, take the cannoli
12:13 I have seen this scene countless times and it is now I notice what seems to be the Statue Of Liberty at the horizon. 😱
Recommend: Sterling Hayden (Capt. McCluskey): "The Asphalt Jungle" (1950) - Director: John Huston Excellent crime caper
THIS is how it is done MASTERPIECE
The guy who played Connie's husband (Carlo) is a piece of work! He has recent Videos on KZhead talking about experiences with the Mafia , stories about his adventures with Movie Stars, etc. I don't know if he's for real, or full of ... If he's lying that man has a WILD imagination. If it's the truth..wow. You don't whether to believe or just shake your head with your mouth open.
From all accounts probably bs
A movie nerd with gray hair who never saw the Godfather?! A unicorn 🦄
Re DP Gordon Willis - From IMDB: “Known in the film industry as 'The Prince of Darkness', due to his distinct lighting technique of using shadows and often not allowing a character's eyes to be seen clearly.”
Nice reaction fellas. What you said about the deer hunter is so true. I've always said that the lengthy intro is so important to the foundations of the film, as unorthodox as it is. Also, in the godfather, the talking and eating around the table is important. Look at goodfellas and the sopranos. After all, how does one really live? Through food, so you have that contrast with the likely imminent outcome.
Al Lettieri, the actor who is so memorable as Sollozzo, died only a few years after The Godfather. I've always wondered what roles he might have played in Goodfellas, Casino and other mob movies if he hadn't died so young.
He was fantastic in Mr. Majestyk. "DA KEEEYSSSS DA KEEYYYYSSSSSSSS!!!!!!"
The lad who played Fredo also died very young, and was only in a handful of films, but all of his performances were met with great critical acclaim.
@@champagnerocker And all the films were nominated for the Best Picture Oscar.
29:20 - Damn, Major, thanks for that observation! What I love about this reaction is that for many of us, the direction and technical elements are almost invisible to us, simply because we're so distracted and caught up in the acting and the story and the script! So, although I have seen the movie enough times to admire the work of Gordon Willis (and also Walter Murch!), the direction does not announce itself, you have to really be looking for it! And so thanks for the stuff you guys noticed; after seeing this movie three thousand times, it's so exciting to have fresh eyes on it. Major's eyes! And of course anything Richard has to add. I actually clapped when the end of the movie came up and Major gave his verdict! Wow! Ok, it's official: this is a masterpiece! I remember the first time I saw this movie, I know I was blown away so I don't know why I should expect anything different! PS: Very interesting and super concise edit! Obviously you know this movie backwards and forwards and you were able to just zip through it!
Took three days
@tictocmelody9190 I appreciate you all day. We have some of the best conversations and lets not forget you drop some of the best knowledge on many of the films we review/discuss. You're basically the third member of MMM at this point. You're the king Marauder of Madness. Great insight, great back and forth and conversation and amazing stories about how you experienced said movie for the first time and/or again. It really makes me enjoy the comments because of the back and forth and the insight that I love the most. I love cinema but the "after cinema" conversation... I love just as much. It adds so much to the experience. Seriously though. There are many great actors (male/female) but you command a room seated... Hell yeah! The list is long but short. Let's start clipping and sharing bad-ass sit-down boss energy. Denzel (gangster movie): kzhead.info/sun/ZLtvpsadqZqla68/bejne.html kzhead.info/sun/hcqDn7ZxqqCJbHA/bejne.html
@@MajorProgress Dude, way late replying to this!!!! I love Denzel in this movie, ha!!!! I haven't seen American Gangster since around the time it came out, I'm WAY overdue! I was going to clip a great one that not a lot of people know: Lawrence Fishburne and Jeff Goldblum in Deep Cover, an early 90s movie. But I couldn't find any good representative clips! Also wanted to find a good clip of Lawrence Tierney (who played the old bald boss in Reservoir Dogs) playing Dillinger back in the 1940s. He was stone cold hard boiled! But instead here's a HILARIOUS short bonus feature on the Reservoir Dogs DVD about what a nightmare (and crazy character!) he was to work with. Tarantino and him got in to a fist fight, the whole bit! Actors: they can be a weird breed! I'm sure YOU have some stories! Anyways, enjoy this one, you'll piss your pants at these stories. Almost the entire cast has a story to tell. kzhead.info/sun/h5aomLyMq3yGank/bejne.html Around the same time he was on a Seinfeld episode. And on THEIR DVD they have a short behind the scenes about the episode, and the Seinfeld cast all tell THEIR Lawrence Tierney horror stories! lol kzhead.info/sun/ip2NZ6mmZ4BolZ8/bejne.html No pressure to watch those, but it will DEFINITELY entertain you for a good 15 minutes!
You could make a movie just talking about the amazing color and framing in every shot of this. Absolute art. Masterpiece.
So true!
I didn't feel as though I had anything to add comment wise. But, "A painting. A renaissance painting.". That did it. I've seen this movie more times than I can count. You snagged it. How beautiful those shots. Thank you.
Great reaction to a great movie. James Caan two best roles were Godfather and the iconic 1975 Rollerball. Please consider doing a reaction to Rollerball. Cheers
You are forgetting Thief. If memory serves, Caan called his performance in that his best. The boys should react to it. One of the Godfather's few flaws is that Sonny isn't in it enough. Such a great character that Caan plays the hell out of. But the movie is Michael's story, so Sonny had to go.
@@anrun Agreed. And though it's Michael's story, Sonny is THE pivotal character of the film and book. Michael, and everyone else for that matter, is reacting to and ultimately paying for Sonny's rash behavior.
Johnny Fontaine is the Frank Sinatra figure
PS: One small possible correction. I don't think that's correct about Gordon Willis not wanting to film dark. That's what he was known for! He had just done "Klute" the year before, it's the same exact look as the stuff you're showing (the Solozzo scene with Robert Duvall). That's quintessential Gordon Willis, pre- and post- Godfather. He's known as "the Prince of Darkness", although he went on to do a string of amazing Woody Allen movies in a variety of cinematic styles, none of them dark, but in the early-mid70s he was known for this kind of look. Maybe the TV show presents it as a battle between director and D.P. but his iconic work on "Klute" (and later "All The President's Men", both directed by Alan Pakula, and other 70s films) kind of demonstrate he "owns" that look. The STUDIO was not happy about the darkness, and didn't like it at first. But they didn't like Brando, James Caan or Al Pacino either, so.....we can just add that to the list of things the studio was wrong about! PSS: Another major influence on the look on this film is "The Conformist", a fantastic Bertolucci film about Nazis in Italy (1970).
Glad to see you back OG
@@majormoviemadness9927 Dude, totally! I never left! I'm not the hugest Leone fan, picky about westerns and not a huge 80s action guy so we just didn't line up for a little while but even then: I always planned to hit some of those videos (I've got "Once Upon A Time In The West" opened up in another tab right now, actually!). I sort of stockpile now-older reactions of yours (and other reactors) for exactly a moment like this: when I've just seen a great reaction from you and want to watch another. But I never ever unsubscribed! Never! LOVE this channel, love you guys! An invaluable resource! I'll never watch The Godfather the same way again, do you know what achievement that is, after all this time, and all those rewatches?!!! Thanks for that!
Always enjoy your combined appreciations of the visuals. One quibble: I'm pretty sure in his entire career Gordon Willis was never heard saying "I need more light." Not sure what stories Coppola has told about their relationship or perhaps about somebody else who wasn't the dp, but Willis wasn't afraid of underexposure. See Klute (pre-Godfather) or any of his Woody Allen films for comparison.
That's absolutely right about the DP and the lighting. I mean, you can't overstate how important Gordon Willis was to the artistry, the style, and the success of Godfather. It's Coppola's movie, but Willis made it look GREAT.
The story I remember was the studio, after seeing the early rushes, panicked and demanded that Willis change the approach, and he threatened to quit over it, which made them nervous, because they were relying on Willis to be the voice of experience for the young and inexperienced Coppola.
@@ronbock8291 That sounds right. Willis being even less inclined to bend to studio pressure than Francis was (at that time) seems more plausible as a source of any tension or disagreement between the two.
Phil was played by Sonny Grasso of The French Connection
Nice, love this!
Very interesting post film discussion..Great insights..
I was just short of 19 years old when this movie came out. I've obviously seen many movies in my life. But this is the only truly perfect movie I've ever seen with one possible exception.... Godfather Part II. Great job, guys. I enjoyed your reactions. Can't wait for your reaction to the sequel.
Absolute perfection. Well, except for 21:34 Sonny misses Carlo by a country mile. A small price to pay for the amount of viewing ecstasy this film has provided me over the years, but I still cringe every time it's about to come up and it takes me out of the movie for a while. I just marvel at how a young Coppola pulled of this level of mastery in the face of such hostility from the studio and a relatively low budget. A few other directors from his era have more impressive bodies of work overall, but none of them top GF I & II for sheer artistic brilliance.
The story is neither finished nor properly begun yet...Looking forward to you seeing GF 2...
It's kind of funny...a couple of years ago I ran across a secondhand copy of Puzo's novel for three bucks. I'd never read it, so I bought it. To my surprise, it was, really, a cheap pulp novel. Francis Ford Coppola took a cheap pulp novel and elevated it into an epic.
Also see Visions of Light a docu film of all the great cinematographers
For reference, the $600,000 horse they killed and beheaded in 1945 is the equivalent of $9.8 million today.
wait... WHAT!
Can't wait for part 2 & even though 3 isn't as good (I still like it. Just not a masterpiece like the first 2) I hope yall do that for closure
I wouldn't normally recommend this, but since Major says he likes opera: Franco Zeffirelli's Pagliacci from 1982 starring Placido Domingo, Teresa Stratas, and Juan Pons. Though all his early-mid 80s opera movies starring Placido Domingo are generally considered pretty good, with Pagliacci and Cavalleria Rusticana both winning Emmys, and an Oscar nomination, Palme d'Or nom, and a couple Golden Globe noms between La Traviata and Otello. Finding any of them streaming (legitimately) with subtitles is tough though.
I'm sure Francis Coppola's DVD commentary is a more accurate account of the making of the movie than THE OFFER.
THE greatest film ever made and part 2 is the second greatest film ever made - i will not be taking questions at this time - grazie mille .
I heard in various documentaries I've watched about the Godfather is when a person in Don Corleone's position has a daughter getting married, it is customary to grant favors on the day of the wedding.
In case you didn't know , JAMES CAAN pass away in july 6, 2022.
First time? Another classic? 😮
My favourite behind the scenes story was James Caan and Robert Duvall were being driven in on the first day of shooting and Brando was in the car behind them so they mooned him out the back window
Thanks for the reaction , Godfather is my favourite film . When you mentioned character development i was going to suggest Laurence of Arabia but i see you have done that , so i am going to watch that now . thanks.
You've got to do boogie nights, some of the most absurd filmmaking. Theres a ton of absurdly complicated one take shots, the opening starts from a crane shot transitions to a steadycam, there's like 5 separate conversations and hundreds of extras. Unreal
I think the guy who played Carlo also wasn't a professional actor. He was a jeweler or something like that and just somehow managed to talk his way into the part.
What a classic movie. I hope you will react to sergio leones gangster movie another classic
Love you guys and your awesome videos ❤❤🎉🎉
Quick thought, if the theme is Crime & Punishment and not strictly Mafia, maybe The Sting would fit well. It’s criminally under appreciated these days, and George Roy Hill seems to have been sadly forgotten, along with Arthur Penn, 2 giants of 60s and 70s cinema, and huge pioneers in the style that we associate with that era.
I think if we have the time for it I wanna do a comparison to the 1st Ocean's 11 to the "New" Oceans. or Italian Job. So many great films that have a modern day twist or just showcase how different a similar story can be told.
The Sting is one of my favorite movies ever. And it has been eve since I saw it in the theater when it came out. It won best picture at the Oscars beating out The Exorcist.
Now that Major is the last person on earth to view The Godfather, we can close the book, and move on to Forrest Gump.
Lol, I think he might have seen that one
I have seen this movie, and love it, but if we ever watch it, I have a great story. I once convinced my mom to watch, said movie, and she later told me her feelings about, said movie. It's adorably hilarious. My mother is the best when it comes to movie reviews. She only saw stuff she liked and only usn as a family, in her home, that she approved of. The list was short.
When Don Corleone gets shot & when he dies he's had an orange in his hand.
Citizen Kane, The Seven Samurai, Godfather 1 & 2 Citizen, Goodfellas...
The song that the old man is singing is pretty bawdy. Basically, a girl tells her mother that she wants to be married and will the mother find a husband for her? Here mother tells her about different men and what they will do: a carpenter ill nail you, a plumber will give you pipe, that sort of thing.
You can tell from the hand and arm movements it’s something like that
@@majormoviemadness9927 Yes, it's pretty obvious.
Paintings of people sitting around tables in dimly lit interiors is something I associate more with Dutch artists in the century after the renaissance.
Rembrandt especially.
Johnny Fontaine movie deal scene , portraying Sinatra for From here to Eternity incident
I had this great series about film making on VHS. If my memory serves me, they having a hard time finding the backing to make this film, nobody was convinced. Until a wealthy, I think Swiss, man was all for it. He was apparently really eccentric, you could have sold him on anything with the right, hyped pitch.
I hope your doing part 2
19.44 creepy comment alert When their young their so beautiful in Italy oh my god
I would have kicked Carlos ass for wearing that orange suit
if Major had never seen Taxi Driver its must see!
Brando caressing the cat shots obviously inspired by Blofeld's in 007.
Now .. onto Godfather II 😁
i need a reaction to fight club!
💯💯💯💯💯💯💯💯💯🎥 🎦 🎬 🎞
How good is that opening shot?
How can people say they are filmmakers if they've never watched The Godfather I & II?
So to be a writer do you need to have read “war and peace “ or does the act of doing a thing make you a thing? Major is a cinematographer he knows lighting and cameras way better than most. I would suspect way more than you. Not to argue but denigrating for the sake of denigrating is dopey.
@@majormoviemadness9927 To be a novelist, yes, I would assume you're read the great novels in your language. It's a craft; you have to master it, and the only way to do that is to learn from the masters. Maybe for a cinematographer it's not as essential, but still, the use of lighting, camera angles, etc. in the Godfather are all things which I would expect anyone in the "business" to have studied. Certainly, any self-respecting director will have seen and studied them.That's what's wrong with so many areas of endeavor today; young people who think they can make it up as they go along. Put in the time, do your homework, then put your own spin on whatever you're doing.
I watch a lot of movies. Not all movies. But I've also studied lighting, camera lenses, angles, movement and motivation by way of the script. I am not a filmmaker because I have watched The Godfather or any other film. I am a filmmaker because I make films and have studied and continue to study the art of filmmaking. Everything I saw I could talk about technically, but it's not because I've watched the Godfather series it's because I've watched and learned from all the film/TV I've watched and all the filmmakers/creators I work with.
@@pliny8308 this self respecting director has seen it multiple times, Major hasn't, I've seen almost all our reactions, Major hasn't what can I say he didn't have the time I guess
Gabagool is just capicola
watch 2 and then judge 3 for yourself.
So two film makers have never seen the godfather 😂
If you bothered to watch 1 minute you’d realize one filmmaker has seen it about twenty times/ the other hasn’t 😂
Film maker who's never seen the godfather?
I notice you didn't compliment the acting of Don Corleone's cat. This I do not forgive.
Oscar for him too
Dear Major, check out Bernard Herrmann's oprea WUTHERING HEIGHTS and let me know what you think.
Can people stop taking things so literal. The Offer obviously took dramatic license. James Caan did not really beat up CArlo Rizzi!
Please watch 2 skip 3 😂
For sure
2
Just filmed it
You guys say how could Johnny say no. why would he? The godfather is responsible for his whole career think about it. U guys gay? U seem gay
I suppose the men always stay young and handsome? Maybe the women age faster because of their husband.
Good reaction, but stop talking so much throughout the film. You don't need to comment on the split lighting ten times, for example. Once or twice will do.
It's worth calling out. People don't notice how often it it used and how well it works. Calling it out is part of our charm. It's what we hang our coats on.
Criticize The Godfather, it's like criticizing the Bible.
I don’t think we did, it’s a great movie
@@majormoviemadness9927 I know, no worries, just a touch of humor, and I really appreciate your very professional reactions.
"...and it definitely is the greatest gangster Film of all time." Is it now? Many rate part 2 higher and some say Goodfellas is the greatest gangster film. And, of course, attention must be paid to Once Upon a Time in America.
I stopped watching when you started making fun of women. You should start living in this century.
We're responding to the idea of what society expected during the time. You don't have to make either of us a sandwich. But if you're good at making sandwiches. And you happen to be in the kitchen making one.... make two. Tomorrow, I'll make you a sandwich. I'm so good at sandwiches. Trust.