Mario Puzo's The Godfather

1969, Mario Puzo, an Italian-American writer, published the book The Godfather, which was about the life of a Mafia family in New York. Inspired by the book, the film The Godfather came out in 1972 and was directed by Francis Ford Coppola. Puzo and Coppola collaborated on the film and what the duo experienced during filming was unlike that of any other in film history. The Mafia was an “Italian-American faction of organized crime,”, who were known for causing trouble. Puzo decided to write a book about a fictional Mob family in New York City. Puzo had never even seen or met a mobster, however, through extensive research and stories he was told in his youth, he put the story together, highlighting the violence, sex and crime involved in the Mafia. The book became an instant hit and would go on to be one of the best-selling books of all-time. One year later, Paramount set out to create a film based on the book. They tabbed Al Ruddy to be the producer, who knew they needed to get “real Italian-Americans” in order to make the movie something special. A young Francis Ford Coppola, who had never produced a hit film, was offered to be the director after numerous big time directors turned it down, as they knew Coppola would be cheap. Originally, Coppola passed on the offer because he

1972. VHS. Paramount Home Video, 1999). Michael thinks and realizes he could use the extra help. The two go outside of the hospital and stand on the steps to prevent anyone from getting in. A car pulls up to the front, sees Michael and Enzo guarding the hospital doors, and drives away. Michael hands Enzo a cigarette; Enzo tries to light it but his hands are shaking too much. Michael then takes the lighter from him and lights the cigarette; he stares at his hands for a minute and realizes they are not shaking. This is the turning point of the movie, as it is the moment that Michael realizes he is ready to take over for his father as head of the Corleone