(Godfather III not an option.)
Which gets the nod for you as the better film?
Obviously a tough call, but I love the flashback scenes so much in II, that's got to get the slightest of edges from me.
Hard to believe it's been more than 50 years since the original came out. Still a couple of the best films that I could watch regularly.
Just for fun ... here are all the deleted scenes from Godfather II - (
New Window )
the series on paramount with miles teller about the making of I was also highly entertaining.
The ending with Michael sitting & thinking alone in Lake Tahoe…powerful.
Haven’t changed my mind!
Agree. The Saga, which Coppola stitched together, was excellent chronological story-telling. Anybody with an ounce of Italian blood in their veins has to love the scenes representing Italy, and those early New York scenes shot in the East Village.
That's just good movie-making magic right there.
Infamnia!
I love "Goodfellas" but it doesn't compare to either "Godfather" movie. There would be no "Goodfellas" if it were not for "The Godfather".
I feel like that's comparing classical music to rock and roll. Both are music but it's kinda tough to compare them to each other.
I saw Goodfellas and other mob movies before I saw Godfather 1 & 2, and I think it took some of the wind out of the sails of the latter as different as they are. I think what counted for shocking violence in the 70s was somewhat subdued after I saw the other movies.
That said, I enjoyed Part 1 more. I just thought the narrative flowed a little better and it had some truly beautiful shots, especially considering when it was made.
II was Michael's fall into complete oblivion by destroying his relationships with everyone left in the family. It's just all tragedy. Without the flashbacks, it would be one of the most depressing (but great) movies ever.
You can't say that the performances in one movie were better than the other. They are all stellar.
They couldn't, James Caan broke a finger and Carlo Rizzi cracked 2 ribs filming that scene. There's only really one punch that that was really, painfully obviously missed, but otherwise it's a great scene. Supposedly Caan had a problem with Rizzi and the start of the fight where he throws the stick at him wasn't in the script, Cann improvised it and Rizzi wasn't sure if it was a real fight or not.
There is no two without one so it should be considered a package deal.
If only he hadn't made the mistake of doing III. II had the perfect ending.
i've seen the chronological saga and I think it weakens the story. I understand why people like it, but the intercutting of Michael's story with Vito's in part II is so, so powerful.You lose that in the chronological version. Though some of the deleted scenes are really good.
Settling all family business
Sleeping with the Fishes
Horsehead in the bed
Leave the gun, take the cannolis
I also love the beginning, "I believe in America"
Just greatness
Chocolate or Vanilla?
Also Brando in 1.
If only he hadn't made the mistake of doing III. II had the perfect ending.
Never watched III because it seemed like a Coppola cash-grab at the time that would ruin the previous movies if you watched it. Kinda like how I never watched any Matrix movies after the first.
The ending with Michael sitting & thinking alone in Lake Tahoe…powerful.
I would concur. I'll tell you this much, I tried a couple times to watch Godfather III, and I couldn't do it, wasn't good. The tale had been told...
A little story if I may here, so years ago or back in the day, taking this class where I matriculated...this particular class was in an amphitheater type of setting okay. So the professor/teacher, whatever asks 'What is your favorite movie of all time". Now most of the class mentions popular pop culture, so they get to me, and I say, well
Godfather I and II, I guess that's two movies okay.
Most of the class was laughing a bit at that, I'm done.
I watched III the other day and I didn’t hate it. While the Vatican scheme is way too long and convoluted, there are things about the movie to really like.
- Sonny’s bastard being a dumb hothead like his father
- Michael re-establishing his relationship with Kay
- Michael’s son not forgiving him for murdering Fredo
- Michael losing the most important thing in his life (his daughter) due to his actions
This is actually my favorite version.
I think I’d say 2 was “better” because of the parallel storylines. However, I do think I prefer to watch 1 because it just feels “smoother” and is a a little more rewatchable. The best scene of the franchise might just be the initial wedding scene. If I had to list out my 10 favorite scenes/moments out of the 2, I feel like most would be from 1. Something about it feels a little more iconic than 2.
2 is an all time great though, maybe my favorite movies ever.
Yeah, but that's real life, hahaha.
Unless they dubbed the sound effects with those missed punches!
ha!
Peter Griffin: “I did not care for The Godfather” - ( New Window )