Mario Puzo’s novel The Godfather was originally published in 1969, and it was three years later that director Francis Ford Coppola would make his vision a reality.
The Godfather is said to be the greatest film of all time. People are familiar with Don Vito Corleone’s quote that is continuously repeated in pop culture: “I’m gonna make him an offer he can’t refuse.”
It’s been over 50 years since actor Marlon Brando played the head of the Corleone mafia family in New York. The Godfather won the best picture in the 45th Academy Awards. Brando won Best Actor for his role as Corleone but declined the award because he was protesting against the portrayal of Native Americans in Hollywood films.
And so, 50 years later, The Godfather will be returning to AMC theaters on February 25th. Director Coppola released a comment over on Screen Crush on The Godfather’s return to theaters: “I am very proud of The Godfather, which certainly defined the first third of my creative life. With this 50th anniversary tribute, I’m especially proud Mario Puzo’s The Godfather, Coda: The Death of Michael Corleone is included, as it captures Mario and my original vision in definitively concluding our epic trilogy. It’s also gratifying to celebrate this milestone with Paramount alongside the wonderful fans who loved it for decades, younger generations who still find it relevant today, and those who will discover it for the first time.”