Should You Watch The Godfather In 2025? Exploring The American Gangster Trilogy Starring Al Pacino
- Deepanshu Sharma
- Jul 7
- 3 min read
The Godfather has been one of the most celebrated films in the history of visual storytelling. Since its release in 1972, Francis Ford Coppola's film has been a go-to recommendation for anyone looking for an American gangster film. However, four decades after its release, does The Godfather trilogy stand the test of time for anyone who hasn't watched it yet?
About The Godfather Trilogy Directed by Francis Ford Coppola
The Godfather trilogy is a classic set of American gangster films directed by Francis Ford Coppola. It was released in 1972 and is an adaptation of Mario Puzo's 1969 novel of the same name. The trilogy, which concluded with the release of The Godfather Part III (1990), has a runtime of almost 9 hours.
The trilogy features prominent names starring in key roles. Some of these cast members include Marlon Brando as Vito Corleone, Al Pacino as Michael Corleone and James Caan as Sonny Corleone in the first film. The Godfather Part II stars Robert De Niro portraying a young Vito Corleone and chronicling his origins. The Godfather Part III introduces Sofia Coppola and Andy García as new cast members playing key roles.
The Godfather Trilogy Review
The iconic trilogy follows the story of the Corleone family and its head Vito Corleone (Marlon Brando) after he refuses to participate in helping with a drug trade. After this, the Corleones do their best to maintain their dominance in New York while also expanding their business.
The sequel, which was released two years later in 1974, shares the origin story of Vito, why he came to America and how he became the don. It cleverly cuts between the present day where Michael Corleone (Al Pacino) heads the family business and the younger days of his father.
The third and final film, released 14 years later in 1990, concludes the story of the Corleone family as Michael Corleone's past catches up to him. It does its best to wrap up everything as Michael plans his exit from the criminal world.
Overall, the three films tell a great story of a crime family, from their rise to the complications that stem from their legacy, and their inevitable fall. It features great performances from all the cast members and iconic scenes that have stood the test of time. The prime example of this is the opening sequence of the first film that is referenced in pop culture to this day. Moreover, this trilogy serves as a testament to great filmmaking. It is also one of the rare film series that has a great ending.
The Story of The Godfather Coda: The Death of Michael Corleone
At the time of release, The Godfather Part III was not received well in comparison to its predecessors. It received negative reviews for its storytelling, the casting of Sofia Coppola (daughter of Francis Ford Coppola), her underwhelming performance and its concluding scene. So, on the 30th anniversary of the film, Coppola released The Godfather Coda: The Death of Michael Corleone, a recut of the original film.
The recut is in line with the original vision of Coppola and Mario Puzo and was released after Al Pacino and Diane Keaton's approval. It made changes to the original's beginning and closing scenes, while also addressing other criticisms of the film. It received a limited theatrical release and garnered positive reviews upon its digital release.
What It Feels Like To Watch The Classic American Gangster Film In 2025?
The Francis Ford Coppola trilogy, which concluded in 1990 with its third film, offers a slow and controlled form of storytelling for anyone watching in 2025. From the time the first film starts to its final moments, it transports the viewer to post-WWII times. From the way the performances are delivered to the slow-burning style of storytelling, this film will be a change of pace for everyone.
In a world where viewing habits have led people to consume bite-sized content regularly, it won't be unnatural to want to watch this film at 1.5X speed. However, fighting that urge and watching it in its purest form will offer an unparalleled movie-watching experience.
Where Can You Watch Francis Ford Coppola's The Godfather?
Now, if you're thinking of giving this film a try, you can watch it anytime on Prime Video India.
All things considered, The Godfather trilogy is a film experience that would get three Michelin stars if it were a restaurant. This makes it a cinematic experience worthy of taking special time from your schedule. With a great story, impactful performances and an engaging screenplay, this Francis Ford Coppola film is a must-watch, even in 2025.
Comments