"SC-S28/W5-Movie Highlights|"Old is Gold" The Godfather |

Watch a classic movie made before the year 2000

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Hello movie lovers!,

I have watched The God Father several times so to write for Week 5: "Old is Gold" I watched trailer of The Godfather on YouTube and imdb to recall a few worthy moments.

Classic films like The Godfather, which I watched in 1982, have such an amazing storytelling style that especially prioritizes character development and moral ambiguity compared to what you see in modern films.

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What felt different about the storytelling of the movie compared to newer films?

Today, maybe the movies are fast-paced, have a lot of action, modern weapons, and explicit resolutions, but the movie The Godfather will always be in my memory for its narrative, especially through family dynamics and the power shifts that happened. I feel it drew me into a closed world of loyalty and betrayal.​

If I go further, I can say The Godfather kept me tense through its long dialogues, heavy scenes, and minimal exposition, unlike today's quick cuts and constant visuals. And not to forget emotions from glances and silences. I can still remember how Michael's gradual transformation happened from a mere outsider to a ruthless don.

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Did the film age well, or did some parts feel outdated?

I must say the film went well; it's still going well after almost 50-plus years of portraying wise yet violent characters, and Michael is a tragically corrupted boss copied by newer movies when they need good-vs-evil roles. You see, the movie was focused mostly on the Corleone family, yet the story emphasizes internal conflicts over today's expansive franchises.

To be frank, when I remember the scenes and characters of The Godfather, today's evil characters look outdated to me. I would say modern films often prioritize spectacle and sequels of this great movie, which kind of sounds like mocking when I compare them with the characters shown in The Godfather.

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What do you think made this movie a “classic”?

Everything, The Godfather became a classic through its masterful blend of storytelling, performances, and technical brilliance. I can add that Marlon Brando's portrayal of Vito Corleone as a wise, paternal don and Al Pacino's transformation of Michael into a ruthless leader set new standards for depth and subtlety. The cast, including James Caan and Robert Duvall, did soulful acting that portrayed this ruthless family in a different dynamic.
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But to be frank, the story with its pace, dialogue, and scope and the way Michael turned from an idealist to Don, the art of balancing, and of course the entertainment was a perfect combination of filmmaking. Then there are countless scenes from the movie that keep it in a different category from today's films in the genre. ​

And to sum up my review, I must say a few words about its technical side; for example, its cinematography creates an atmospheric vision, which sets it miles apart, besides enhancing emotional value. These elements in totality make this movie a showcase that influenced countless films in different countries in different languages. I have seen at least 20 similar movies in India and abroad that resemble The Godfather but stand nowhere near it. This movie has an impact, references, its legacy, and its own weight.

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How did the characters or themes relate to today’s world?

Pretty much everything! See what The Godfather's themes say about how family loyalty, power corruption, and morals show in modern politics, in the corporate sector, and of course in social and criminal structures. You can find characters like Vito and Michael Corleone in today's leaders who prioritize family or have similarities with ethical compromises. I wouldn't hesitate to say some of the characters that we see in today's world look like they are right out of this movie itself.

Today, the mantra is 'family first,' which is common in politics and business, where people sitting at the top greatly resemble the characters right out of The Godfather. Everyone worth his name seems to protect their kin without any care for the public or its scrutiny. ​

"Power and corruption" seems to be the keywords, which was the motto of The Godfather, and it very much proves how power corrupts current leaders, converting them from ideals to ruthlessness, and the same is true in the corporate and government sectors. Today, the world seems similar to what The Godfather showed fifty-five years ago.