The Social, Cultural, and Technological Reflections in "The Godfather"

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Introduction

It is an American continuation movie released in 1972 and directed by Francis Ford

Coppola who also co-scripted the movie together with Mario Puzo from the base of his novel of

the same title published in 1969. The film “The Godfather” directed by Francis Ford Coppola

filmed in 1972 remains an example of the remarkable cinematographic art which embeds the

principal bisectors of the American Dream, power relations and family trust. The Godfather is an

American gangster epic film released in 1972 and based on Mario Puzo’s novel of the same

name published in 1969; the film is now recognized as a classic. Its creative use of visuals,

intense music, and striking actors such as Marlon Brando and Al Pacino the multigenerational

story became a cinematic reference point.

It is a period setting of the 1940s and through its events concerns only the sphere of the

fictitious Corleone family which is a part of the American Mafia. The opening scene of the

movie takes place inside the dark office of the family’s head, Don Vito Corleone known as the

Godfather played by Marlon Brando, on the wedding of his daughter Connie, played by Talia

Shire. Michael (Pacino), the youngest son of Vito, who avoids the criminal activity of his family,

comes to the celebration with his girlfriend, Kay (Diane Keaton), whom he wants to marry, but

she is not Italian. Several months later hit men from the rival family come to gun down Vito and

although Michael fails to prevent one attempt he is successful in a second try to protect his friend

when the latter is in the hospital. Michael then kills some corrupt policemen, a captain and the

guy that put a bullet on Vito and he escapes to Sicily due to gang battle. Sonny, Vito’s eldest son,
is being shot and the bloodshed even affects Michael and his wife from Sicily is killed in a failed

assassination attempt on Michael’s life. Michael then goes home to live with Kay and they got

married, and Vito settles his problems with other families a mobile. Michael takes over as the

don; subsequently, he rejuvenates the family business then proceeds to exterminate every

individual that had ever attempted to harm the Corleone’s. This was the period of great social

transformation, great strides in the economy and evolving culture and thus provides for a suitable

setting of the motion picture. All manners or components in the creation of the film, such as plot,

images, performances, and ambience bear the stamp of sociology of the time, ethnicity and the

advancement of technology.

Stage in History and Social Context

The Godfather, directed by Francis Ford Coppola and released in 1972, was a truly

historical film as far as the narration and the camera work are concerned. The names of the film

and the novel are the same and showed the growth of power of the Corleone family in the Mafia.

The Vietnam War and Watergate scandal were the major political events in America that formed

the social perspective when the film was released. The Godfather was able to depict the themes

of corruption and violence in society in a realistic manner which was enjoyed by viewers. Since

the start of the film, many producers featured in this film benefited from their performances such

as Al Pacino and Marlon Brando (“The Godfather”: A Historical Curiosity That Proved

Instrumental for Our Filmmaking Education and Appreciation • Cinephilia & Beyond, 2015).

This work has been made during the period of effective economic and social growth and

promising changes in The United States of America. The time frame of the post war period

especially the late 1940s and the early 1950s can be said to define the American middle class,
post war suburban and organized crime establishments. The film is set against this backdrop,

showing the struggles between the old and the New World’s modern American culture. The main

characters of the movie represent a powerful and influential Italian family in America who,

therefore, acts as the rest of the immigrants who strove to establish themselves as a powerful

force in the new country and avoid discrimination and oppression (“The Godfather”: A Historical

Curiosity That Proved Instrumental for Our Filmmaking Education and Appreciation •

Cinephilia & Beyond, 2015).

It is therefore evident that the moving captures the social theme that would be identified

with that period and including the concepts like loyalty, power and even the essence of the

corrupting influence of the American dream. The characters in the movie “The Godfather” are

presented in a twisted way as people who live in a society where old world morality is pitted

against concrete circumstances. The movie and its portrayal of the gangsters is not just about the

criminality but more so a representation of criminal occasions and how they are fueled by the

society.

Cultural Background

The event of “The Godfather” took place in a time of significant economic liberalism and

social transformations in America. The time frame of the post war period especially the late

1940s and the early 1950s can be said to define the American middle class, post war suburban

and organized crime establishments. The film is set against this backdrop, showing the struggles

between the old and the New World’s modern American culture. The main characters of the

movie represent a powerful and influential Italian family in America who, therefore, acts as the
rest of the immigrants who strove to establish themselves as a powerful force in the new country

and avoid discrimination and oppression.

It is therefore evident that the moving captures the social theme that would be identified

with that period and including the concepts like loyalty, power and even the essence of the

corrupting influence of the American dream. The characters in the movie “The Godfather” are

presented in a twisted way as people who live in a society where old world morality is pitted

against concrete circumstances. The movie and its portrayal of the gangsters is not just about the

criminality but more so a representation of criminal occasions and how they are fueled by the

society (Ben, 2016). ‘The Godfather’ can be viewed not only as one of the major cinematic

achievements at the level of art and aesthetics but also as a cultural phenomenon of the twentieth

century. This film revolutionized the mafia genre and became a pioneer in the new wave of

successor of Hollywood. In its cast, it has some of the most legendary actors of all time such as

Marlon Brando and Al Pacino, to mention but a few. Thus, the director of the movie, Francis

Ford Coppola, managed to tell an interesting and rather an engaging story of power, greed, and

loyalty to the family. Inserted permanently into today’s popular culture, the film is a must-see for

anyone who wants to understand the art of cinema (Gambino, 2012).

Technological Development

In terms of technology, what made “The Godfather” a stellar movie and a classic is that

its cinematography, sound, and editing were path-breaking for the Hollywood films, the use of

chiaroscuro lighting or the contrasting of light and dark enhances the themes of the film which

include mystery, control and I hatred and ambiguity in a way that is distinctive to only Fowles.
This lighting technique, therefore, combined with other aspects such as the sets and costumes in

this film help to create an atmosphere that takes the viewer directly into the Corleone’s world.

It is also pertinent to note that the fact that the film had a non-linear structure where the incidents

were told and shown in various timelines and there were different points of view which was quite

experimental for the movies of the specified period. This narrative structure, aligning with the

concepts of montage and juxtaposition, improves the understanding of characters’ intentions and

the nature of their bond in connection with the use of such filming techniques as close-ups and

long shots. The advancement in technology of post-production especially in film editing and

sound helps in enriching the view making it not only historical and informative but a means of

feeding the soul through the sight and sounds.

Conclusion

Besides being a crime film, the film ‘’The Godfather’’ signifies so much more

encompassing the historic, cultural and technology advancement of the early twentieth century.

Being produced in the period of social change the movie reflects the dissatisfaction with

traditional ethic and the impossibility of the success according to the paradigm of the American

dream. Concerning the application of technology, the various cinematic techniques it set

standards this was complemented by portrayal of the Italian-Americans that was much positive

compared to previous films. Accordingly, as requisite to the categorization of the given film as

an embodiment of cultural cinematography, the picture remains rather peculiar in its timely

comments on powers, family, and the quest for success, which makes it deserving of the epitaph

of genuine American cinematography.

10thingsaboutcinema. (2023, March 19). “The Godfather”: A Cinematic Masterpiece That

Continues to Captivate Audiences Today. 10 Things about Cinema.

https://10thingsaboutcinema.com/the-godfather-film-analysis/

Ben. (2016, February 27). “The Godfather” – Film Review and Analysis. The Life and Times of

Ben Weinberg; The Life and Times of Ben Weinberg.

https://benjweinberg.com/2016/02/27/the-godfather-film-review-and-analysis/

Gambino, M. (2012, January 31). What is The Godfather Effect? Smithsonian; Smithsonian.com.

https://www.smithsonianmag.com/arts-culture/what-is-the-godfather-effect-83473971/

The Godfather (1972) – Deep Focus Review – Movie Reviews, Critical Essays, and Film

Analysis. (2022, February 20). Deep Focus Review.

https://www.deepfocusreview.com/definitives/the-godfather/

“The Godfather”: A Historical Curiosity that Proved Instrumental for Our Filmmaking

Education and Appreciation • Cinephilia & Beyond. (2015, June 15). Cinephilia &

Beyond. https://cinephiliabeyond.org/the-godfather/