The Godfather reviewed by Mark Kermode

Mark Kermode reviews The Godfather. Crime family the Corleones become involved in a bloody war with the other mob gangs in New York.
Please tell us what you think of the film -- or Mark’s review of the film. We love to include your views on the show every Friday.
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[@emoney6692]

Simon deflating Mark’s gun story is a bigger betrayal than what Fredo did to Michael.

[@portaccio]

😂😂😂😂

[@cam21333]

Hahaha!!

[@connorveach5986]

He broke his heart

[@Madagon367]

So funny. I mean Mark mentioned Brits and guns earlier. Using a real gun for a movie in the US more than 50 years ago? Ridiculous.

[@fiarandompenaltygeneratorm5044]

Simon "Snubnose" Mayo just killed Kermode.

[@jamesflynn3278]

I really do like Mark but I can't think of any other critic who'd manage to get an Exorcist reference 45 seconds into a Godfather review.

[@LoYaL-G]

It ain't a Kermode review if he's not referencing The Exorcist or toying with his water cup.

[@MultiPsycopat]

its like the Kevin Bacon thing that all movies relate to the Exorcist

[@tonybennett4159]

Yes and he says that people complained that the Exorcist is slow. It's not (not that it would bother me) it's ridiculous faux religious schlock, far from being the best horror movie ever, let alone the best movie ever. Sorry Mark, somebody has to tell you.

[@paul07reds74]

It’s almost a guarantee that Mark references either The Exorcist or William Friedkin or both in every Film Review show

[@StratsRUs]

It's true though what he said

[@samm8994]

I love how this devolves into exasperating bickering. The silence at 8:16 (evidently because someone in the control room was speaking through their headphones) is inadvertent comedy gold. Never change, you two.

[@eriamjr]

This clip should be studied in psychology classes as a case study in how a relationship even between two intelligent, articulate and respectful friends can break down within minutes into conflict, confusion and mutual disgruntlement. 😆

[@ineverfold1506]

The little guy still has some sense of humor left it him. Why don’t they hire him to write some good comedies?? I mean directors like Judd Aptow , Adam McKay , Ben Stiller kind of directors

[@chloedance9316]

Simon Mayo is the perfect foil for Kermode. His deadpan delivery is just perfect, every single time.

[@elqord.1118]

How’s that even an actual name

[@TehNakidGod]

I am not a fan of Mayo

[@masterwindu1234]

@@Dionysos640Brown sauce myself

[@Pjj878]

First time viewing, he just seems like an idiot offering nothing other than "errrr" "ummmm" or totally misunderstanding easy things and stories

[@123G-r4d]

Just back from the cinema, I've seen the godfather about 10 or 12 times but this was my 1st time seeing it on the big screen, it was absolutely beautiful and there was a lot of moments that got a laugh from the audience that I never before thought humorous until tonight which was a pleasant surprise of watching it with a crowd. When Michael was in Sicily you could almost feel the humid and hazy summer heat coming off the screen. As an Irish man living in America I'm not one for clapping in the cinema but for the first time in my life I joined in the round of applause.

[@rickewilde]

I absolutely agree. It felt like i was watching it for the first time despite having seen it so many times before. Your so right about the heat coming off the screen i felt that too.

[@MrFubber]

Simon’s reaction to the gun anecdote was hilarious. Like a bickering couple. Love it 😂😂

[@TheRedKobra]

I watch the Godfather 1&2 at least twice a year and I never tire of it.

[@wthwasthat8884]

Literally just watched Coppola's interview and then went on a clip binge today. Kermode reviewing it is a welcome surprise.

[@FatNorthernBigot]

The most incredible fact about this film is it spawned a sequel of equal quality.

[@motherplayer]

It's impressive to look back how it functioned so effectively as both a sequel and a prequel at the same time.

[@r4h4al]

Nah it wasn't as good.

[@MentasmUK]

I think it's better. That's not a point of contention, just my opinion.

[@agi2160]

@@r4h4al You're right. It was better.

[@r4h4al]

@@agi2160 Nah the first one set the whole thing up.

[@Pongant]

This is cinema's equivalent to theater's Shakespeare or Goethe. A timeless classic and a testament for the art.

[@Jordannadroj20]

That would be 2001

[@brachiator1]

I can hardly believe that The Godfather is 50 years old. I remember staying out late with my school buddies and talking about how great it was. It is also amazing that younger audiences still love it. If you go back 50 years from the Godfather premiere, two of the top films of 1922 were Robin Hood with Douglas Fairbanks and Blood and Sand, starring Rudolph Valentino. These films are respected by film historians, but little seen by the public. I am not sure that good prints of either film still exist.

[@royjones8312]

As a child I found it to be slow. As an adult I find it absolutely riveting. Probably the greatest movie I’ve ever seen. In my top five as far as favourites go as well.

[@wnmovietalk]

This is a masterpiece - 50 years old!!! Crazy! It matures like a fine wine!

[@DoroteoVilla]

1:59 is the scene that almost always makes me tear up. The line “there wasn’t enough time” followed by “we’ll get there”. It’s every father’s regret as well as every son’s wishful promise to his father.

[@Pixiesforever7]

The scene with the gun behind the toilet is the best scene in any film. When it narrows in on Michael's eyes. Genius

[@busydad4858]

I like the prior scene wherein Michael cuts in and takes charge of the preparatory discussion. He has clearly been thinking and waiting for his moment, amongst men of apparently greater expertise and experience. He describes what the whole plan is going to be, his tone and face completely change for the first time in the film, and the camera slowly zooms in on him as he blossoms in genius and grows in malevolence. And everybody immediately sits up and listens. It’s like Michael is embracing his cursed destiny for the first time and beginning to become “Don Corleone” in that moment. Beautiful! And having written about it I am now going to seek out a clip of this great scene and watch it! :)

[@Omar-wq9dz]

Francis Ford Coppola discussed this, the 2 sequels, and his other movies on a GQ video about his career

[@eoinMB3949]

Went to see this at the weekend......what a film. 50 years old and it seemed so fresh. The theatre were I saw it was sold out and the audience was a mix of all ages, from teenagers to people who probably saw this when it was originally released.

[@busydad4858]

Watched it for the first time in years in January and showed it to my wife for the first time as well, we both thought it was absolutely brilliant and also learned a few things - it gives a thorough but also gentle “beginner’s introduction” to Italian family culture as well as the classic Mafia tropes - it’s just a lovely film, it looks and sounds great, the Sicily sequence is absolutely stunning; and it’s difficult to think of how any scene in the film could be amended or improved. A masterpiece! :)

[@lukethomas1985]

Godfather is the absolute masterpiece! The opening set piece is the best half hour of cinema ever

[@nickstoli]

I have The Godfather I and II on DVD. Why is it that when I happen to catch it on TV, I have to watch it till the end? Some part of my brain tells me if I don't watch it now, I'll never be able to watch it until the next time they broadcast it.

[@spuddie3207]

Got scared for a minute there - thought they'd done a remake!

[@TheDrugOfTheNation]

I hope not, the version with Peter Beardsley was definitive.

[@j.m.w.5064]

I really don't get why the Shawshank Redemption is so highly regarded. There's nothing wrong with it... Just that there are so many films that left a deeper impression. It always baffled me.

[@blackphillipppp]

i have no interest in ever watching it honestly

[@L_Martin]

It feels like a Disney movie.

[@Mattventuring]

You are in the minority according to the polls

[@j.m.w.5064]

@@Mattventuring That is basically what I said. Thank you for pointing it out to me. Fantastic.

[@boxingmonkey8621]

Shawshank Doesn’t belong in the Top 50 Films of All Time

[@ELCHAPOTHEMAN]

The Godfather 1 and 2, just WOW. The 70s was a fantastic decade for timeless classics including The Deer Hunter and The Exorcist. In fact I could probably name 20 or more fantastic films from the 70s.

[@reptongeek]

Fun fact. Every film that won Best Picture in the 70's is on the National Film Registry.

[@justinleslie1]

Reading about the Rust tragedy, I remember being surprised that most ‘prop’ guns are actually real guns but with blanks.

[@SaintDomingo1]

Also, if anything is stuck or accidentally jammed in the barrel, those blanks can be lethal.

[@justinleslie1]

@@SaintDomingo1 Yes, absolutely - the deaths of Halyna Hutchins and Brandon Lee show that if you get it wrong there can be devastating consequences

[@connorveach5986]

I wanna see a modern action movie where they just do finger guns and make “pew pew” noises. We’ve watched enough action films, our brains will just fill it in

[@danieldicicco3605]

@@connorveach5986 with airsoft guns and decent vfx there is literally no reason for blank firing weapons to be on set anymore.

[@rickg8015]

@@connorveach5986 Gene Wilder in Blazing Saddles..

[@evanhanley6437]

My favourite film of all time. I can't believe its 50 years old. I love it so much. The game did the movie justice.

[@vinnie245]

Eh not really, the missions where you are involved in the movie scenes are jarring to say the least, should of been more of its own thing. I'd say the first Mafia is a better godfather game than the actual Godfather game (Like how Vice City is a better Scarface game than the Scarface game)

[@anthonysimms4735]

Classic film, great characters, great actors, great music, great sequel.

[@SaintDomingo1]

I tell you what's better; a lot of people are shocked when I say this... the camera angles.

[@anthonysimms4735]

@@SaintDomingo1 Might have to watch again now.

[@knownpleasures]

The sequel is arguably better

[@craigrendell9928]

@@SaintDomingo1 I'm joking Lynn, enjoy me

[@heeeeeresrossy]

...the end!

[@crobeastness]

Part III is underrated.

[@healthyholemealbread]

I’d love to see a reel of Mark Kermode clips where he manages to slip in Exorcist references 🤣

[@philcorrigan5641]

I think you’d probably need to set aside a whole day for that…

[@Alex-lm7cx]

The bickering at the end reminds me of those comedy edits where a conversation is chopped up to make it seem like an argument - the silence at 8:16 especially.

[@Hs022]

This just made me realise star wars will have it’s 50th anniversary in 5 years so we’ll be able to experience that on the big screen again (hopefully).

[@EmissaryofYogSothoth]

Sadly probably won't be the original version.

[@tonybennett4159]

Even more amazing than that is that in 6 years time it will be the 60th anniversary of 2001 : A Space Odyssey. Considering the tools at film maker's disposal nowadays, the special effects remain amazing.

[@AsiaDanceScene]

@@EmissaryofYogSothoth It's Disney, they're probably going to replace all the guns with walkie talkies for the 50th anniversary...

[@selfhelpgroup8750]

My goodness, 50-year anniversary? That makes me feel so darned old. Relatively newly-arrived in London, I remember going to see the 25th anniversary run at the Curzon Soho after finishing a nightshift. It was lunchtime and the theatre was empty except for me, and while I love the Godfather, it was the best sleep I've ever had.

[@andrewchapman4267]

That scene in the restaurant is probably my favourite scene in any film

[@shaneheff5244]

Can't believe that any Godfather anecdote should be told under time pressure. Next time let Mark regale us as long as he likes please...clear the rest of the days schedule if necessary.

[@donna25871]

Just saw thisat the cinema last night - although I’ve seen it many times viewing it on the big screen is a different experience. Cannot wait for Part II next week.

[@barbarawillis5187]

I believe they used Sonny's service gun in the movie and he then brought it to the restaurant to show Mark. Most likely, Simon would not have been impressed to see the gun. Excellent review.

[@TheEntity0]

Thanks to you, I now know it’s in theaters and have ordered tickets for tomorrow to finally see this masterpiece on the BIG SCREEN!! Seen it a dozen times of course, but never in a theater! I’m so excited, thank you!!

[@Fed804]

It’s been awhile since I’ve seen it but just hearing the music makes me want to watch it again instantly

[@gary6514]

The Godfather is one of those films which line after line is quotable. Casablanca is another film which shares that honour.

[@GA-1st]

Mark: "You broke my heart, Simon!" Simon: "Right....Bloody hell! Just leave the gun story, and grab the cannoli!"

[@userjim83]

The pace is the exact reason why I loved it when I saw it as a 13 year old and love it even more now 😂

[@passiveaggressive6175]

The attempt on Michaels fathers life, the murder of his first wife and Sonny’s death all led Michael down a path that was inevitable.

[@maryconnor6173]

That anecdote scene between those two was hilarious 😂

[@seagull8415]

One of those movies when you see a 30 #second clip and you are immediately compelled to watch the whole thing for the twentieth time.

[@KGBgringo]

Trust Simon to pour cold water on Mark's story, love their chemistry.

[@MrUndersolo]

What did I do to deserve such a review? Seriously, I loved this...and a great t-shirt, Mr. K.

[@whisperinstorytellerASMR]

Despite his love being legendary. I've never actually read or heard Marks review of 1973's The Exorcist.... he references it alot....but I'd love to hear a review based on the actual movie itself ??

[@EmissaryofYogSothoth]

He made a documentary about it. That might give you what you're after.

[@DuncanUdaho67]

Dude just type in “Mark Kermode the exorcist” on KZbin, there are multiple video where he talk about it. Plus yeah, he made a documentary about it.

[@whisperinstorytellerASMR]

@@EmissaryofYogSothoth thanks Jerry. Was that Fear of God? If so..I did see it many years ago when the film came back to cinemas .. I was searching for a simple review like he done here. 🤔🤔

[@Fed804]

@@whisperinstorytellerASMR there is a podcast called “The Evolution of Horror” and it has an episode with Mark talking about it. It was around the beginning of 2020. I also, think there is a KZbin Video about “Films we love” where Marks goes into it further. I don’t think you’ll get a review in the same way we got one for a currently weekly release though.

[@whisperinstorytellerASMR]

@@Fed804 thanks!!!!! I'll look those up 👍👍👍

[@globalturfwar]

7:35: Literal assassination - Simon Corleone walks away briskly from the anecdote

[@ShaneyBright]

I love your reviews and channel. Greetings from California!

[@freegraphite]

never heard of this, any good?

[@Dethmaster64]

Probably not as good as real cinema like any comic book movie from the past decade

[@BugVlogs]

“Of a French nature”? What does that mean? Does Sonny eat an omelette du fromage?

[@ScreamingIntoTheOvoid]

Is that a metaphor?

[@sazzadbinjahid436]

He meant the sex scenes of Sonny

[@NiallOSullivan]

Click for the prospect of an informed discussion of a cinema classic, stay for the old married couple energy that ensues.

[@melbyrne]

Just. Brilliant. Wittertainment at its best.

[@parametr]

I never know whether Mayo is really daft, he is just trying to exhasperate Mark, both... xD

[@WolfricLupus]

That bit at the end about the snub nosed pistol was hilarious! I get you Mark, I'm on the same page!

[@A5tarte5]

I counted 10 uses of the word “but” in that exchange but honestly it was the speed of light at one point. Excellent stuff.

[@andrewtan2894]

Godfather 2 would be best for me because the weaving narrative was so complex and the juxtaposition of Michael and his father was simply masterful. But definitely Godfather is only second by a whisker in my book

[@-Osiris-]

I love these two together

[@georgeliverpudlio1258]

Hilarious show this week guys. Simon must have been smoking something! Very funny at the end 😂👍

[@patrickknight1657]

I absolutely love the gun story if it was me I would be regularly spouting it out to anyone I could make listen😉

[@maxjones503]

Going to see for the first time in the cinema in the next couple days, though I just saw it at home around New Years. Should be good fun.

[@1080TJ]

Sounds good. Hope this one finds an audience

[@adampeters7947]

The best Mafia film ever made is the documentary film 'Shooting the Mafia'. Because unlike 'The Godfather', it tells the truth.

[@vermis8344]

I have never heard a gun being namedropped before. Was there a review inserted into that story... somewhere...?

[@TheOminousFlareShow]

I remember a member from the film forum, "Filmspotting", described The Godfather as a sort of Shakespearean tragedy, how the mafia in the film was sort of like kings and emperors. Personally, I was never really a big fan, even after repeated viewing - mafia stories just didn't really hook me - but I did respect it as one of the greats. It's practically an epic, going into such in-depth details about the characterization and the family dynamic Hollywood films didn't really receive till the past few years (when they finally made films longer, up to two hours or more to allow ample screentime for characterization). It's like you said, quite a lot of people would probably be surprised by the film's length today. It reminds me of Troy: Director's Cut, a film which I really loved for its satisfying character writing and development; such development just wouldn't be as satisfying with a shorter film. That's the beauty of an epic, where you go on such a reflecting journey. Anyway, I'm currently watching Sopranos for the first time, and I found myself enjoying it a lot more than The Godfather. Scorsese hated it, but that probably explains why my generation and people like me like it or even prefer it over Godfather. There's just a different kind of appeal to it.

[@tomislavcehajic9642]

Why The Godfather is not best movie ever made? because The Godfather part 2 is best movie ever made

[@4Everlast]

Didn't Coppola put out a re-cut of the Godfather 3 recently?

[@MentasmUK]

Proudly showing at Cineworld the ads proclaimed, except Bristol of course. I've been going there since 1999. They're demolishing the place soon and I'll have nowhere within fifteen miles to (not) watch films.

[@rodycaz8984]

I hear good things about this movie. It's getting positive reviews.

[@michaelgarsin1842]

It’s not just Dianne Keaton whose in the Godfather in the Annie Hall scene, it’s also the man shouting it on the street!

[@srinivasvangala3783]

Godfather 1 vs Godfather 2

[@benhur1959]

I have heard a lot of people mentioning the chronological version of late, which is also a fantastic way to view the two movies. If Coppola restored this, it would be equally if not more popular than the two stand alone movies. Maybe this is the reason why he won't, because it might demean them

[@markrothery5720]

Seeing this in the cinema on weds with my dad cannot wait

[@plushred7384]

I think Simon "Snubnose" does it on purpose - it makes for good videos.

[@porkflaps4717]

It SHOT BLANKS. They do use real guns in films along with props.

[@Nosh_Feratu]

It sounds like Simon doesn't know what 'Service Revolver' means.. . . hopefully they didnt give out 'prop' guns to NYPD Detectives.

[@dylanbphone]

Ha, that was quite a Spinal Tap moment in regards to the revolver story i.e., "Why don't you just make 10 louder? ... These goes to 11."

[@richardallan2767]

I sometimes wonder if Mark and Simon are only staying together for the kids.

[@stephennootens916]

My family is was really big into The Godfather movies, I wound up inheriting my grandma's VHS copies of the movies. The two type sets. The funny thing after seeing the first one at least a dozen times and the second and third only a couple of times I am not all that impressed with them movies. There was a time that I kind of enjoyed them but not anymore. In part it is the clear Shakespearean tragedy and sense of romanticism that makes it feel stiff and old. My change of view might have changed over the years since I have gone on to see movies like Battle without Honor and Humanity, Graveyard of Honor, and of course The Goodfellas.

[@mattx2480]

Did he review it tho?

[@alphabetaxenonzzzcat]

Has Mark ever reviewed the mini series versions of The Godfather? The Godfather : 1902 - 1959 The Complete Epic or The Godfathe : 1902-1980 Trilogy - those. I'd like to hear his views on the missing scenes inserted into the story, and also the resequencing of the first two films. Anyway, great to see it back on the big screen, but sadly from memory - the last time it was re-released(shortly after the Star Wars : Special Editions - I believe - I could be wrong on that), sadly it didn't do that well at the box office.

[@ivorbrae]

The pistol story was entertaining, but can we please have a follow up to this where the film is reviewed?

[@MitzyAndSadie]

I cannot help thinking somewhere in his mind Simon was thinking of Rust but could not remember specifics and was hoping Mark would pick up the thread

[@nickstoli]

Had no idea about the gun. Wow. So it wasn't true to the period? I'd assume a 70s NYC cop wouldn't be using a 50s gun. In other words, the gun they used in the movie didn't exist during the time period in which the film took place.

[@ScreamingIntoTheOvoid]

That model of revolver (Smith & Wesson model 36) had been in use since 1950. Gun models last a long time in service. The army use the M1911 A1 pistol which has been in use since 1924. The original model being from 1911.

[@warrenphilbert6856]

A truly dynamic film I often can't help going back to from time to time! and as for the sequel!... Cheers! 👍❤️

[@presentoccupier8085]

What a wonderful film. Can’t believe it’s 50 years old

[@therealsamho]

What with a pandemic and possible ww3 on the horizon, there's nothing more comforting than hearing these two chit chat away.

[@Nataloff]

I knew Sonny Grosso. I know what he packed, and where. Mark, YOU RULE..

[@michellebiland5163]

How did these 2 end up together? 🤔🤔

[@MattSingh1]

*Mayo completely sandbagging Kermode.* 😆

[@Professicchio]

Why Simon thinks that in the "land of the guns" people would bother to create props for movies when it's literally 10 times easier to get a real one than a convincing replica is beyond me 😁

[@captainmercy87]

I think he was trolling Mark!

[@kz.irudimen]

Maybe they should bother creating and using props so that an actor would not end up killing a director of photography

[@Professicchio]

@@kz.irudimen .....or another actor like it happened to Brandon Lee.

[@Scottishexplorer58]

My fav film of all time and going to the cinema on Sunday , to see it , for the first time on big screen .

[@ClarkKentsRockandRollRevue]

What a double act. I'm gonna really miss these two.

[@bookaufman9643]

I read The godfather sometime in the mid to early 80s. There's some stuff in that book that doesn't make it in the movie but is really sort of bizarre. There's a whole part about Sonny's wife needing to get surgery on her nether world to fix the damage that Sunny had done to her. In the book Sunny is overly endowed and you see a little tiny bit of that in the movie where the Italian girl does that thing with her hands showing how big he is. But there's this other story about this whole thing and a surgeon who lives in Vegas. It's really freaking bizarre. Whoops. I'm editing this now because I've been corrected. Sonny's wife already had the issue before Sonny. It's still just as weird.

[@johnhughthom]

People who haven't read the book don't believe me when I tell them about the vagina doctor!

[@mira3ful]

Oh no, Sonny didn't 'do' anything to her! Quite the opposite, she was like this naturally, and Sonny happened to have an exceptionally large, ehem, equipment - the only guy that could satisfy her...That is, till the doc came along:)

[@bookaufman9643]

@@mira3ful yep. That was it. I read it many years ago so my memory of it isn't that great but I do remember a character needing to be fixed because of a very personal problem that she had. I don't know where that stuff came from but it didn't seem to fit in with the whole rest of the story. If I was his editor I probably would have taken that thread out of the narrative.

[@ocelotsly5521]

​@UCemguZMnngdYiCqeu7h-mYQ Puzo wrote an 'airport novel', likely with his editor's approval. The final screenplay of 'Jaws' removed a subplot about an affair for a similar reason: a rather sleazy, titillating depiction of sexual situations that wouldn't work on film. These subplots usually feature a character peripheral to the story's action (Lucy Mancini in GF, Ellen Brody in Jaws), so they can be jettisoned if the novel gets optioned by Hollywood. Classic airport novel trope. Both films are, in my opinion, vastly superior cultural documents to their source material; and not just for the above reason.

[@ocelotsly5521]

I don't know what the hell happened to your tag up there, Boo.

[@MrGregFrancis]

It’s always nice when they have the trilogy on a long flight

[@michaelmcdonnell5998]

I was eleven when it came out and I remember my teacher enthralling the class with a scene by scene description of the movie! Good old Mrs Hughes!

[@themythicfire]

Good times huh... Its been a looong time ig... must be wonderful.. This is coming from a 17 year old btw... I hope you got to meet her again, I have no idea if she's till there, its been a while.

[@euansmith3699]

The anecdote was wonderful; link something from Pinter.

[@ShortAndFormal]

He should know that real guns are used all the time on movie sets. Real guns are what fire blanks

[@MaquiladoraIII]

Guns for show, knives for a pro.

[@rhysmyatt5136]

Fantastic movie, first time seeing it on the big screen and it was simply amazing.

[@kevinho8]

Don’t listen to Simon, Mark! I liked hearing about the revolver!