Fifty-two years ago today The Godfather was released to immediate and universal acclaim. In my view, it’s the greatest motion picture ever made because every element - story, writing, acting, music, pacing, dialogue, cinematography, editing, you-name-it - is in flawless alignment with not a frame wasted in the 175 minute running time. It earned 10 Academy Award nominations, was the best picture of 1972 and, for a long time, was the highest grossing movie ever made. In March 2009, Vanity Fair magazine ran a piece on how the film almost never got made; it’s called The Godfather Wars and I hope you look it up at VanityFair.com - it’s as gripping as the epic tale itself. Here are some remarkable facts about this iconic picture.
© 2024 John Oliver
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