Summary

• Including the children of gangsters made The Godfather stand out from other crime films.
• The family dynamic created a unique legacy and emotional depth to the story.
• The Corleone family's portrayal set the film apart from typical gangster movies.

Director Francis Ford Coppola reveals a key detail of why greatest films of all time.

In an interview with Rolling Stone, Coppola explains why The Godfather was such a hit when it was released. Along with a talented crew and actors, the director believes including the children of the gangsters plays a role in why the movie connects with audiences. Their families reflect the lives of Italian Americans at the time, something Coppola believes no other crime movies were doing.

It was the right movie for the right time, with the right cast, with the right artists. Somehow, everything just lined up. I have a theory of one of the reasons why it was so successful, which is [something] no other gangster film ever did, is it had the children of gangsters in it. Which is funny, because it’s a small thing. But one of the things that made The Godfather really different is that you not only see these men doing what they do, you also see their family and what so much of Italian American life was at that time.

Having The Corleone Family Included Was Key To The Godfather's Success

The Family Created A Legacy For The Franchise

Family is intrinsically tied to The Godfather. The movie opens with a lengthy wedding sequence, something which would likely not be made in modern cinema. However, that scene immediately establishes Vito Corleone's (Marlon Brando) connection to his family and how his life is interwoven between his business and home life. The wedding scene is one of the many reasons The Godfather could not be remade today.

The Corleone family can be caring, dysfunctional, loving, violent, and everything in between.

The legacy of The Godfather directly connects with family. The movie follows Vito's youngest son, Michael (Al Pacino), after being discharged from the Marines and reluctant to the family business. It also focuses on the other Corleone siblings and their children. One of the more heartbreaking scenes is Vito dying while playing with his grandchild.

The Godfather shows that the Corleones are not just a crime family, but also a real family. The Corleone family can be caring, dysfunctional, loving, violent, and everything in between. Coppola's assessment of including the entire family sets the film apart from previous gangster movies and set a template for The Godfather to be imitated.

Source: Rolling Stone