The Godfather is extremely captivating and one of the greatest movies of all time, not to mention one of the best crime movies. The acting is superb throughout and the story never misses a beat. The emotions vary throughout the film, but the pace remains steady and exciting.

Perhaps my favorite film of all time. Indulges in romanticism and mythology about organized crime in the same way "Gone With The Wind" did with the antebellum South, but it wasn't supposed to be a documentary. Marlon Brando claimed it was a critique of rampant capitalism and big business. Ironic, considering that some of the biggest fans of the film in recent years are rapacious young neo-cons. Perhaps they emulate Michael? Sonny? Moe Greene? Every actor here is near perfect, although it is interesting to speculate what kind of picture it would have been with the cast originally contemplated. Coppola once said he was considering Laurence Olivier for the Don Vito Corleone role, because of his physical resemblance to Vito Genovese, one of the most ruthless and powerful mobsters of all time. Robert Redford was considered for the role of Michael and Robert DeNiro for the role of Sonny. Alex Rocco, who played Moe Greene, was actually a low-level hood named Alex "Bobo" Petricone from Boston associated with the infamous Winter Hill Gang; he changed both his name and profession and is well-known now as one of Hollywood's better character actors. A friend of mine was good friends with Richard Castellano, who played Clemenza, and they remained friends up until the time Castellano died. According to my friend, Castellano didn't appear in "Godfather II" because he considered Coppola a callous and manipulative tyrant. Castellano was obese and in ill health, but Coppola supposedly made him do the scene where he ran up the staircase with a flower-box-concealing-a-shotgun 20 or more times. I'm no great fan of Coppola (I think the latter half of his career has been extremely mediocre), but he will always be able to take credit for creating a genuine American masterpiece with "The Godfather". If for no other reason, he will always be in the pantheon of great American film directors.

It's the best and is ranked in the top 5 of every all-time best film list.