The document provides context and analysis of key elements of the film The Godfather. It begins with a summary of the plot, describing Don Vito Corleone overseeing his daughter's wedding while his son Michael returns from war. Michael eventually learns about the family business of organized crime. The film explores the clash between traditional values and new ways of operating, and the consequences for the family. It then analyzes the film's genre as both a family drama and gangster film. It proceeds to discuss various cinematography, editing, sound, mise-en-scene, and title elements used in the opening scene to set tone and intrigue.
2. ABOUT THE MOVIE
The story begins as Don Vito Corleone, the head of a New York Mafia family, oversees his
daughter's wedding with his wife Carmela. His son Michael has just come home from the war,
but does not intend to become part of his father's business. Through Michael's life the nature of
the family business becomes clear. The business of the family is just like the head of the family,
kind and benevolent to those who give respect, but given to ruthless violence whenever
anything stands against the good of the family.. An up and coming rival of the Corleone family
started selling drugs in New York, and needed the Don's influence to further his plan. The clash
of the Don's fading old world values and the new ways will demand a terrible price, especially
from Michael, all for the sake of the family. This causes a lot of family problems even to the
extent of family war leading the death of his other son Sonny.
3. The film ‘The Godfather starts with a
man telling Don Vito the story about what
happened with his daughter. This shows
how Don Vito is considered a powerful
person which is why people come to him
for justice. The slow music creates a
suspicious environment. Further when
the person has told his daughter story, he
kisses The Godfather’s hand and so Don
Vito pays him respect and escorts him
out.
4. ESTABLISHING GENRE
The Godfather is a family drama because it doesn't just deal with a mafia family, but also with
actual family, the Corleone's. We get to see how their conflicts and struggles all play out which
brother will succeed when the other one dies, how they'll handle the family business and how
their marriages and relationships will work out. We learn that Connie's husband beats her and
we see Michael's first wife literally explode we discovered that Fredo is not fit for the family and
Sonny is a cheater. The Corleone's don't just have extreme crime problems—they have
common, everyday problems as well .The Godfather is also a gangster film because it involves
gangsters. It also shows how the people keep killing other family peoples over money and
power.
5. CINEMATOGRPAHY
The movie begins with a black screen with a music playing. For the next few
minutes of the film there is one shot from the same angle zooming out from a
close up of a man’s face to an over the shoulder shot of another man not yet
revealed as the Godfather. There is no music throughout this whole scene
after the title and as a result the scene is very quiet. This adds secrecy to the
scene. A close up is done towards godfathers face, which is the first time his
face is being shown in the film. Two shot is used when the person and
godfather when the godfather comes to him. His slow pace over the situation
shows he has all control over it. The film opening end with a close up of the
man kissing godfathers hand.
6. EDITING AND SOUND
The film throughout has the slow music played which is the
traditional song of the movie. When some suspense comes up, the
sound of the song is loud and shows something has happened . The
music of the film is only stopped during when someone is talking or
when someone is about to be murdered. The start of the film had
slow music creating a slot of suspicion about what will happen in the
film.
7. MISE EN SCENE
The Godfather opens slowly with one person speaking in low light. The low
light creates a mysterious and tense atmosphere. The background is
completely black when the person talks. It shows the Done Corleone is
the main character of the film.
8. TITLES
In the start of the film , it shows the ‘Paramount Pictures’ sign, And the
director’s name ‘Mario Puzo’. Throughout all the film opening there is
no other film titles .