Sydney Pollack on THE GODFATHER

In this clip from the AFI Archive, Director Sydney Pollack describes the fascination with THE GODFATHER films.
Connect with us:
/ afifest
/ americanfilminstitute
/ aficonservatory
@AFIFest
@AmericanFilm
@AFIConservatory
/ afi-afifest

[@fernandoguevara8258]

Pollack had one of my all time favorite quotes. When asked, "Why do you like making movies?" his response was, " Because it's better than real life'.

[@RevWillTheThrill1974]

One of the best descriptions I've ever heard about the sheer beauty of this trilogy (even Part III).

[@Brigid-Silverstone13]

I feel the same way. Real talk.

[@kenoliver8913]

Yeah, I've always thought Godfather 111 was a better movie than most people give it credit for. It only looks bad in comparison to the first two - but then they are true masterpieces.

[@dzanier]

I feel the same way. Excellent description.

[@reydecopas6309]

Excellent description by Mr. Pollack, a famous director himself

[@d.jparer5184]

Really? wow! That's pretty cool, i just clicked the video to see a random guy talk about the godfather

[@losttango]

Famous director, ("Tootsie", "They Shoot Horses Don't They?") and also no slouch as an actor. Woody Allen's "Husbands and Wives", for example.

[@AMorgan57]

The Godfather is one of the absolute best movies of all time. Avoidance of cliches, looking at the world through the eyes of people completely unknown to you, that's part of it. It feels like five lifetimes because the storytelling is so structurally dense with simultaneous multi-layered meaning. At its core, it is a modern tragedy. A quintessentially American family pays dearly to chase its dreams, and for all its ruthless power and material success, cannot escape the price.

[@joeygonzo]

As much as I love the movie, it was still structured so the audience would actually LOVE them. Despite the fact that they were mobsters. We see Michael only kill for revenge. Then he gets more sympathy points when his bride is murdered. Even though he really should have not gotten married b/c he was still in love with Kate. He goes on a killing spree after his father dies. All justified to save him family. While that's going, he gets more sympathy points by acting as godfather to his nephew at the church. Then at the end, he is shown to place the "family" over his wife.

[@jimtruscott5670]

Andrew M The Corleones are a “quintessentially American family “ ? ? ?

[@jimtruscott5670]

Joe Cue I’m glad you’re not my instructor on film !

[@largervoid1708]

You are wrong.... Citizen Kane is the unsurpassed number one movie of all time, hands down....

[@ainslie187]

SP is the man, _Three Days of The Condor_ is one of my top ten films. I think he also directed part of _The Swimmer_ (1968) as well, which is also top ten.

[@blondeyed.4998]

To be able to view such an honest and personal interview by Sidney Pollack, brings me joy. He has been a part of most of my favorite movies as a Director or Producer. I thank you!

[@LeeHutchingsdrumsUK]

I think what Sydney was trying to say regarding "lived through five lifetimes" was referring to the fact that during The Godfather films you're watching multiple characters and story arch's during, what is relative to the lives being shown on the screen, a small amount of time. So when the films are over, and you come out of the cinema, or turn off the TV, you feel as if you've lived more than one lifetime. That's my two cents, I could be wrong. Take it as you will.

[@outinsider]

The Godfather is so well written and so well acted, and it is such a compelling story. At its core is a family drama, and how a family got ahead in life, its trials and tribulations, its successes and its tragedies, but the core of it is a family drama, minus what passes for family drama today. Nothing watered down.

[@Brigid-Silverstone13]

😊🖒

[@Kjf2691]

Indeed, Godfather is more than a gangster movie, it’s a story of America.

[@JustSomeCanadianGuy]

Jeez, I never thought of it like that. Humanizing people who aren't worth humanizing.

[@caffeinatedbuffalosauce883]

Sydney pollack has a soothing voice

[@deluslawrence9333]

The Godfather is a crime drama and thriller directed by Francis Ford Coppola in the novel by Italian-American Mario Puzo. The Corleone family, one of the most powerful families in the Italian Mafia.

[@phyllisgreenberg5]

Genius...

[@martinchuzzlewit2452]

That was it?

[@jackprescott9652]

I think The Godfather is the best film of all time, even above Citizen Kane or Casablanca.

[@jorgefiguerola1693]

At 15, I did. At 57, no longer. Red marks all over it. Rethink, rewrite, and react. Always truth JF

[@cockoffgewgle4993]

Articulate guy

[@nickfekula6617]

Genius...