Francis Ford Coppola directed the 1972 crime drama film
The Godfather. The movie is based on the 1969 novel by
Mario Puzo. The screenplay was co-written by Puzo, Coppola, and Robert Towne. Marlon Brando headlines the cast as Don Vito Corleone. Other actors in the film include,
Al Pacino, James Caan, Robert Duvall, Diane Keaton, John Cazale, Talia Shire, Richard S. Castellano, Abe Vigoda, and Gianni Russo.
The Godfather is the first of a trilogy. The sequels followed in 1974 and 1990.
The Godfather was nominated for eight Academy Awards; it won for Best Picture, Best Adapted Screenplay, and Best Actor. Actor Marlon Brando boycotted the Academy Awards ceremony on March 27, 1973 in protest over the treatment of Native Americans by the film industry. Brando sent Sacheen Littlefeather to accept the award on his behalf and to explain his reasons for boycotting the ceremony. The movie was selected for preservation in the United States National Film Registry by the Library of Congress.
The Godfather is considered the second greatest movie in American cinematic history according to the American Film Institute.
