The Godfather (1972)

Francis Ford Coppola co-wrote the screenplay with Mario Puzo for The Godfather, a 1972 American crime film directed by Francis Ford Coppola and based on Puzo's best-selling 1969 novel of the same name. The Godfather: The Beginning is the first episode of The Godfather trilogy. The film follows the Corleone family under patriarch Vito Corleone (Brando) from 1945 to 1955, focusing on his youngest son, Michael Corleone (Pacino), from reluctant family outsider to ruthless mafia boss.

The Godfather had its world premiere on March 14, 1972, at the Loew's State Theatre, and was widely released in the United States on March 24, 1972. It earned between $246 and $287 million at the box office, making it the highest-grossing film of 1972 and, for a time, the highest-grossing film ever filmed. Critics and moviegoers praised the film's performances, particularly those of Brando and Pacino, as well as the direction, script, cinematography, editing, soundtrack, and portrayal of the mafia.

Detailed Information:

Directed by: Francis Ford Coppola

Starring: Marlon Brando, Al Pacino, James Caan, Richard Castellano

Release dates: March 14, 1972 (Loew's State Theatre)/March 24, 1972 (United States)
Running time: 177 minutes