The Godfather Week 4

The three actors I chose from The Godfather:

Marlon Brando: I feel that Marlon Brando is an impersonator type of actor (Goodykoontz & Jacobs 2014). When he stars in a film he creates the character. In The Godfather elements of the character Vito Corleone were created by Marlon Brando. It was Marlon Brando who decided to slick back his hair, talk with the deep guttering sound and puff up his cheeks all of which made Vito Corleone the powerful character he was (Coppola, 1990). If Marlon Brando did not take these actions the opening scene would have not grabbed the viewer and the film would not be a classic.

Marlon Brando has played a large assortment of roles before and after The Godfather. Some of his more famous films are A Streetcar Named Desire, The Wild One, On the Waterfront, Apocalypse Now and Superman. All of these characters where different from Vito Corleone and show his ability to enhance a character and call it his own.

Al Pacino: I feel that Al Pacino is a personally type actor (Goodykoontz & Jacobs 2014). In The Godfather Al Pacino’s newness to film making and shyness stood out in the beginning when his character Michael Corleone was looking for his place in the family. As Al grew as an actor his role of Michael Corleone became a stronger and more recognizable character on the screen. His style of acting made Michael Corleone a more believable character.

As Al Pacino got older and more confident in himself as an actor his roles changed. Yes he made a few gangster genre films but in those films he controlled the scene. Even Donny Brasco when he played down on his luck mafia gangster Lefty he still commanded the scene. Al Pacino’s strong personality guides him through his films and keeps his fans entertained.

I feel that Robert Duvall is a character type actor (Goodykoontz & Jacobs 2014). In The Godfather Robert Duvall plays Don Vito Corleone adopted son and consigliere, Tom Hagen. Tom is the lawyer of the family and the chief councilor to the Don. Robert Duvall’s ability to play the no-outwardly criminal character Tom Hagen helped him to stand out as clean face of the organization and helps to give the family an appearance of legitimacy the Don craves. Tom Hagen looks like a business man among thugs.

Robert Duvall’s wide character range can be seen in several films from his role as a hard fighting Lt. Colonel Kilgore in Apocalypse Now where he utters the line “I love the smell of napalm in the morning (1979).” To the repressed Major Frank Burns in the comedy MASH. Robert Duvall’s ability to take on different roles is critical to his acting success.

Resources:

Apocalypse Now – smell of napalm [Video file]. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TPT3RFTpSUw

Donnie Brasco (7/8) Movie CLIP – If You’re a Rat… (1997) [Video file]. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TT8o1fvTB5Q

Goodykoontz, B., & Jacobs, C. P. (2014). Film: From watching to seeing (2nd ed.). San Diego, CA: Bridgepoint Education, Inc.

Marlon Brando Documentary(2014) [Video file]. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gasrbFAmdEo

MASH (1970) Movie Trailer [Video file]. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O48Cr5vm6Yg

Ruddy, A.  (Producer), Coppola, F. (Director). (1972). The Godfather. [Motion picture]. United States: Paramount Pictures

The Godfather (1972, March 15). The Godfather movie trailer. [Video file]. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sY1S34973zA

The Making Of The Godfather Trilogy (1990) [Video file]. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HuEnjDaiEXQ

The Godfather Week Three

Some of The dialogue in this film makes a lasting impactful mark on the viewer. When I hear “I’m gonna make him an offer he can’t refuse” (Ruddy, 1972) I picture someone willing to do anything to get their way. I picture the Don Vito Corleone willing and able to move mountains to further his cause. That line demonstrates the strength and conviction of the Don. Nothing can stop him from achieving his goals. The Don is an unstoppable force that should be feared and admired.

In the baptism murder scene you hear gunshots after every time Michael Corleone denounces satan. The noise of the murders he has committed lets the viewer know that Michael has crossed a line and will never be the man his father wanted him to be. Michael proclaims his purity and good nature to god while people are being murdered on his command. It adds to the mercilessness persona of Michael Corleone with the organ playing and the shadow on his face the viewer is left to wonder if Michael Corleone is pure evil.

In the beginning of the movie you hear the unforgettable music of The Godfather theme song. When I hear the very first note I instantly know what movie I am watching and what to expect. The song is just as iconic as the movie. It sets the tone of the whole film. Without it the film would not have stood out and would have had less of an impact on my film watching experience. When I hear the melody I picture calmly violent man sitting in a room deciding the fates of others.

The combination of all three categories of sound creates the gangster film genre. When I think of gangster films movies I thing of the raspy voice of Don Vito Corleone calmly discussing murders in his office while his family celebrates his only daughter’s wedding. When I hear the theme song I picture the transformation of Michael Corleone from an honorable man to cold blooded crime load. When I hear the gun shoots I think of every bullet slowly killing Michael Corleone’s soul.If any of these elements were missing the film would not be the same. It would just another mob movie and would have been forgotten by time.

References :

The Godfather – I’m Gonna Make Him An Offer He Can’t Refuse. [Video file].  Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fmX2VzsB25s

The Godfather (1972, March 15). The Godfather opening scene. [Video file]. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CV5QskX_oW4

The Godfather (1972, March 15). The Baptism Murders. [Video file]. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1CDlBLvc3YE