It's difficult to find anyone who hasn't seen this piece of cinematic history but if you're one of the few then the good news is you can watch it for free
06:00, 28 Dec 2024
A film that is labelled a 'masterpiece' by fans and considered as 'quite possibly the best movie ever made' is airing on TV for free tonight.
The Godfather has since become a piece of cinematic history ever since its release in 1972. Directed by Francis Ford Coppola and adapted from the novel of the same name by Mario Puzo, it is still highly regarded more than 50 years later. It follows the fortunes of a powerful Italian-American crime family headed up by Don Vito Corleone, played by Marlon Brando.
The don's youngest son, Michael played by Al Pacino, returns home from serving in the army following the Second World War and resists joining the family's criminal empire as he attends a wedding with his girlfriend Kay, played by Diane Keaton. However, a gang war and his father finding his life in danger soon test's Michael's loyalties and morals.
Cinephiles wanting to revisit this piece of cinematic history and those who have yet to see what all the fuss is about can watch the film for free on Saturday, December 28 on Channel 4 at 10.45pm. Those unable to wait can stream the film on Amazon Prime anytime they like if they have a subscription to the service.
The film is named on many lists cataloguing the best movies of all time. Empire has it third on its run down of the top 100 and the British Film Institute has it 12th of 250.
It claimed three Oscars, winning Best Picture, Best Adapted Screenplay and Best Actor for Marlon Brando. However, Brando famously declined the award and invited activist Sacheen Littlefeather to attend the ceremony in his place who gave a speech in protest of stereotypical portrayals of Native Americans in Hollywood cinema.
The film has a lasting legacy and is still revered among the majority of film fans. One fan posted online: "Quite possibly be the best movie ever made. Its combination of great acting, cinematography, dialogue, storytelling and other things make this movie a perfect movie. It also manages to keep a very slow, steady pace without being boring, which is not an easy feat to achieve. They don’t make movies like this anymore."
Another added: "It's hard to find a moment in the film that isn't great. The Godfather lives up to the term masterpiece. A defining film in the history of cinema. The Godfather introduced a legendary filmmaker and several great actors in the telling of an Italian American dynasty undone by the tragic circumstances of their criminals exploits. The Godfather is highly regarded as the greatest American movie of all-time. No other movie has garnered such praise as this movie has."
The Godfather is on Channel 4 at 10.45pm Saturday December 28 and streaming on Amazon Prime