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The Masterpiece That Almost Wasn't

Film · 2008

On the 35th anniversary of the release of the landmark film "The Godfather," (March 15, 1972) we look back at the time and place of the film's conception and shooting.

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01

The people who made it

29 of 29

Behind the camera

  1. Kim Aubrydirector · producer
  2. Rhonda Collinseditor
  3. Eli Adlercinematographer
  4. Leonard Levycinematographer
  5. Brian Hoodenpylecinematographer
  6. Dave Padruttcomposer
  7. Peter Trillingcinematographer
  8. Michael Seifertcomposer
  9. Shana Hagancinematographer
  10. Anne Masonproducer
  11. Loren Micalizioproducer
  12. Adele Sparksproducer

On screen

  1. Peter Bartlead actor
  2. Walter Murchlead actor
  3. Francis Ford Coppolalead actor
  4. George Lucaslead actor
  5. Mick LaSallesupporting actor
  6. Kimberly Peircesupporting actor
  7. Robert Evanssupporting actor
  8. William Friedkinsupporting actor
  9. Richard Belzersupporting actor
  10. John Turturrosupporting actor
  11. Steven Spielbergsupporting actor
  12. Kenneth Turanguest actor
  13. David Chaseguest actor
  14. Trey Parkerguest actor
  15. Joe Mantegnaguest actor
  16. Guillermo del Toroguest actor
  17. Alec Baldwinguest actor
03

From the people who made The Masterpiece That Almost Wasn't

10
  1. Emulsional Rescue: Revealing 'The Godfather'2008 · FilmExceptional· 8 shared
  2. In Camera: The Naïve Visual Effects of 'Bram Stoker's Dracula'2007 · FilmExceptional· 3 shared
  3. Hearts of Darkness: A Filmmaker's Apocalypse1991 · FilmStrong· 3 shared
  4. This Film Is Not Yet Rated2006 · FilmStrong· 2 shared
  5. The Curious Birth of Benjamin Button2009 · FilmStrong· 1 shared
  6. Don't Say No Until I Finish Talking: The Story of Richard D. Zanuck2013 · FilmStrong· 3 shared
  7. Look, Up in the Sky! The Amazing Story of Superman2006 · FilmNotable· 1 shared
  8. Return to Space2022 · FilmNotable· 1 shared
  9. Generation Wealth2018 · FilmNotable· 1 shared
  10. Roadrunner: A Film About Anthony Bourdain2021 · FilmNotable· 1 shared
04

Through the cast

190
  1. Bald: The Making of 'THX 1138'George LucasWalter Murch1971 · FilmExceptional· 3 shared
  2. Captain EOFrancis Ford CoppolaWalter Murch1986 · FilmStrong· 3 shared
  3. THX 1138Walter MurchGeorge Lucas1971 · FilmStrong· 3 shared
  4. George Lucas: Creating an EmpireWalter MurchGeorge Lucas2005 · FilmStrong· 4 shared
  5. FilmmakerGeorge LucasFrancis Ford Coppola1968 · FilmStrong· 2 shared
  6. no artwork
    Artifact from the Future: The Making of 'THX 1138'Walter MurchFrancis Ford Coppola2004 · FilmStrong· 4 shared
  7. The Godfather, Coda: The Death of Michael CorleoneFrancis Ford CoppolaWalter Murch2020 · FilmStrong· 3 shared
  8. The Godfather Trilogy: 1901-1980Francis Ford CoppolaWalter Murch1992 · FilmStrong· 3 shared
  9. TetroFrancis Ford CoppolaWalter Murch2009 · FilmStrong· 2 shared
  10. The Making of 'American Graffiti'Francis Ford CoppolaGeorge Lucas1998 · FilmStrong· 3 shared
  11. The Godfather Part IIIFrancis Ford CoppolaWalter Murch1990 · FilmStrong· 3 shared
  12. Youth Without YouthFrancis Ford CoppolaWalter Murch2007 · FilmStrong· 2 shared
  13. Apocalypse NowFrancis Ford CoppolaWalter Murch1979 · FilmStrong· 2 shared
  14. A Legacy of Filmmakers: The Early Years of American ZoetropeFrancis Ford CoppolaWalter Murch2004 · FilmStrong· 4 shared
  15. Fog City MavericksFrancis Ford CoppolaGeorge Lucas2007 · FilmStrong· 4 shared
  16. The Black StallionWalter MurchFrancis Ford Coppola1979 · FilmStrong· 2 shared
  17. Tucker: The Man and His DreamFrancis Ford CoppolaGeorge Lucas1988 · FilmStrong· 2 shared
  18. The Young Indiana Jones ChroniclesGeorge Lucas1992 · TV seriesStrong· 1 shared
  19. The ConversationFrancis Ford Coppola1974 · FilmStrong· 1 shared
  20. Rumble FishFrancis Ford Coppola1983 · FilmStrong· 1 shared
  21. Return to OzWalter Murch1985 · FilmStrong· 1 shared
  22. The Cotton ClubFrancis Ford CoppolaRobert Evans1984 · FilmStrong· 2 shared
  23. KagemushaFrancis Ford CoppolaGeorge Lucas1980 · FilmStrong· 2 shared
  24. American GraffitiGeorge LucasFrancis Ford Coppola1973 · FilmStrong· 2 shared
  25. The RainmakerFrancis Ford Coppola1997 · FilmStrong· 1 shared
  26. Star Wars: The Clone WarsGeorge Lucas2008 · TV seriesStrong· 2 shared
  27. Fun with Dick and JanePeter Bart2005 · FilmStrong· 2 shared
  28. Star Wars: Episode II - Attack of the ClonesGeorge Lucas2002 · FilmStrong· 1 shared
  29. Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal SkullGeorge LucasSteven Spielberg2008 · FilmStrong· 2 shared
  30. Henri Langlois vu par...Francis Ford CoppolaWilliam Friedkin2014 · FilmStrong· 2 shared
  31. The GodfatherFrancis Ford CoppolaRobert Evans1972 · FilmStrong· 2 shared
  32. Raiders of the Lost ArkGeorge LucasSteven Spielberg1981 · FilmStrong· 2 shared
  33. Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the SithGeorge Lucas2005 · FilmStrong· 1 shared
  34. Indiana Jones and the Temple of DoomGeorge LucasSteven Spielberg1984 · FilmStrong· 2 shared
  35. Indiana Jones and the Last CrusadeGeorge LucasSteven Spielberg1989 · FilmStrong· 2 shared
  36. Revenge of the NerdsPeter Bart1984 · FilmStrong· 1 shared
  37. The Godfather: The Complete Epic 1901–1959Francis Ford Coppola2016 · FilmStrong· 1 shared
  38. Dementia 13Francis Ford Coppola1963 · FilmStrong· 1 shared
  39. Cold MountainWalter Murch2003 · FilmStrong· 1 shared
  40. Star WarsGeorge Lucas1977 · FilmStrong· 1 shared
  41. Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom MenaceGeorge Lucas1999 · FilmStrong· 1 shared
  42. Mario Puzo's The Godfather: The Complete Novel for TelevisionFrancis Ford Coppola1977 · TV seriesStrong· 1 shared
  43. MiliusFrancis Ford CoppolaGeorge Lucas2013 · FilmStrong· 4 shared
  44. Romeo Is BleedingWalter Murch1993 · FilmStrong· 1 shared
  45. PowaqqatsiFrancis Ford CoppolaGeorge Lucas1988 · FilmStrong· 2 shared
  46. Mishima: A Life in Four ChaptersFrancis Ford CoppolaGeorge Lucas1985 · FilmStrong· 2 shared
  47. Stop-LossKimberly Peirce2008 · FilmStrong· 1 shared
  48. The Godfather Part IIFrancis Ford Coppola1974 · FilmStrong· 1 shared
  49. The OutsidersFrancis Ford Coppola1983 · FilmStrong· 1 shared
  50. Star Wars: Clone WarsGeorge Lucas2003 · TV seriesStrong· 1 shared
  51. The Devil and Father AmorthWilliam Friedkin2018 · FilmStrong· 1 shared
  52. TwixtFrancis Ford Coppola2011 · FilmStrong· 1 shared
  53. The Adventures of Young Indiana Jones: Phantom Train of DoomGeorge Lucas1999 · FilmStrong· 1 shared
  54. The Adventures of Young Indiana Jones: Mystery of the BluesGeorge Lucas1999 · FilmStrong· 1 shared
  55. The Adventures of Young Indiana Jones: Travels with FatherGeorge Lucas1996 · FilmStrong· 1 shared
  56. The English PatientWalter Murch1996 · FilmStrong· 1 shared
  57. The Great GatsbyFrancis Ford Coppola1974 · FilmStrong· 1 shared
  58. The Talented Mr. RipleyWalter Murch1999 · FilmStrong· 1 shared
  59. I Love TroubleWalter Murch1994 · FilmStrong· 1 shared
  60. GhostWalter Murch1990 · FilmStrong· 1 shared
  61. The Adventures of Young Indiana Jones: Scandal of 1920George Lucas1999 · FilmStrong· 1 shared
  62. One from the HeartFrancis Ford Coppola1982 · FilmStrong· 1 shared
  63. The Adventures of Young Indiana Jones: Trenches of HellGeorge Lucas1999 · FilmNotable· 1 shared
  64. The Adventures of Young Indiana Jones: Oganga, the Giver and Taker of LifeGeorge Lucas1999 · FilmNotable· 1 shared
  65. JuliaWalter Murch1977 · FilmNotable· 1 shared
  66. CruisingWilliam Friedkin1980 · FilmNotable· 1 shared
  67. JarheadWalter Murch2005 · FilmNotable· 1 shared
  68. LEGO Star Wars: The Padawan MenaceGeorge Lucas2011 · FilmNotable· 1 shared
  69. JackFrancis Ford Coppola1996 · FilmNotable· 1 shared
  70. Peggy Sue Got MarriedFrancis Ford Coppola1986 · FilmNotable· 1 shared
  71. WillowGeorge Lucas1988 · FilmNotable· 1 shared
  72. The Ewok AdventureGeorge Lucas1984 · FilmNotable· 1 shared
  73. The Unbearable Lightness of BeingWalter Murch1988 · FilmNotable· 1 shared
  74. Gardens of StoneFrancis Ford Coppola1987 · FilmNotable· 1 shared
  75. JadeWilliam FriedkinRobert Evans1995 · FilmNotable· 2 shared
  76. My FamilyFrancis Ford Coppola1995 · FilmNotable· 1 shared
  77. Particle FeverWalter Murch2013 · FilmNotable· 1 shared
  78. Standing on the Shoulders of Kubrick: The Legacy of 2001George LucasSteven Spielberg2007 · FilmNotable· 3 shared
  79. The Adventures of Young Indiana Jones: Demons of DeceptionGeorge Lucas1999 · FilmNotable· 1 shared
  80. The Haunted PalaceFrancis Ford Coppola1963 · FilmNotable· 1 shared
  81. Ewoks: The Battle for EndorGeorge Lucas1985 · FilmNotable· 1 shared
  82. no artwork
    Stanley Kubrick in FocusWilliam FriedkinSteven Spielberg2012 · FilmNotable· 2 shared
  83. Bram Stoker's DraculaFrancis Ford Coppola1992 · FilmNotable· 1 shared
  84. SpielbergFrancis Ford CoppolaSteven Spielberg2017 · FilmNotable· 3 shared
  85. PattonFrancis Ford Coppola1970 · FilmNotable· 1 shared
  86. First KnightWalter Murch1995 · FilmNotable· 1 shared
  87. Inside Deep ThroatPeter Bart2005 · FilmNotable· 1 shared
  88. The Empire Strikes BackGeorge Lucas1980 · FilmNotable· 1 shared
  89. The Adventures of Young Indiana Jones: The Perils of CupidGeorge Lucas2000 · FilmNotable· 1 shared
  90. The Beginning: The Making of Star Wars Episode IGeorge LucasSteven Spielberg2001 · FilmNotable· 2 shared
  91. New York StoriesFrancis Ford Coppola1989 · FilmNotable· 1 shared
  92. The Good ShepherdFrancis Ford Coppola2006 · FilmNotable· 3 shared
  93. MegalopolisFrancis Ford Coppola2024 · FilmNotable· 1 shared
  94. The Adventures of Young Indiana Jones: My First AdventureGeorge Lucas2000 · FilmNotable· 1 shared
  95. Great Bolshy Yarblockos!: Making 'A Clockwork Orange'George LucasWilliam Friedkin2007 · FilmNotable· 3 shared
  96. Watch the Skies!: Science Fiction, the 1950s and UsGeorge LucasSteven Spielberg2005 · FilmNotable· 2 shared
  97. TomorrowlandWalter Murch2015 · FilmNotable· 1 shared
  98. The Adventures of Young Indiana Jones: Journey of RadianceGeorge Lucas2000 · FilmNotable· 1 shared
  99. Body HeatGeorge Lucas1981 · FilmNotable· 1 shared
  100. The Adventures of Young Indiana Jones: Spring Break AdventureGeorge Lucas1999 · FilmNotable· 1 shared
  101. SorcererWilliam Friedkin1977 · FilmNotable· 1 shared
  102. Star Wars: Music by John WilliamsGeorge LucasSteven Spielberg1980 · FilmNotable· 2 shared
  103. To Live and Die in L.A.William Friedkin1985 · FilmNotable· 2 shared
  104. The Jesus RollsJohn Turturro2019 · FilmNotable· 1 shared
  105. The Secret GardenFrancis Ford Coppola1993 · FilmNotable· 1 shared
  106. From Star Wars to Star Wars: The Story of Industrial Light & MagicGeorge Lucas1999 · FilmNotable· 2 shared
  107. K-19: The WidowmakerWalter Murch2002 · FilmNotable· 1 shared
  108. Star Wars Rebels: Heroes of MandaloreGeorge Lucas2017 · FilmNotable· 1 shared
  109. The WolfmanWalter Murch2010 · FilmNotable· 1 shared
  110. This Property Is CondemnedFrancis Ford Coppola1966 · FilmNotable· 1 shared
  111. The Land Before TimeGeorge LucasSteven Spielberg1988 · FilmNotable· 2 shared
  112. Strange MagicGeorge Lucas2015 · FilmNotable· 1 shared
  113. The Adventures of Young Indiana Jones: Daredevils of the DesertGeorge Lucas1999 · FilmNotable· 1 shared
  114. The Making of 'Raiders of the Lost Ark'George LucasSteven Spielberg1981 · FilmNotable· 2 shared
  115. The People vs. George LucasGeorge LucasFrancis Ford Coppola2010 · FilmNotable· 2 shared
  116. Hemingway & GellhornWalter Murch2012 · FilmNotable· 1 shared
  117. More American GraffitiGeorge Lucas1979 · FilmNotable· 1 shared
  118. 12 Angry MenWilliam Friedkin1997 · FilmNotable· 1 shared
  119. Boys Don't CryKimberly Peirce1999 · FilmNotable· 1 shared
  120. The Making of Captain EOFrancis Ford CoppolaGeorge Lucas1986 · FilmNotable· 2 shared
  121. Is Paris Burning?Francis Ford Coppola1966 · FilmNotable· 1 shared
  122. The Caine Mutiny Court-MartialWilliam Friedkin2023 · FilmNotable· 1 shared
  123. Marie AntoinetteFrancis Ford Coppola2006 · FilmNotable· 1 shared
  124. Le court des grandsGeorge Lucas2005 · FilmNotable· 1 shared
  125. The Master's Touch: Hitchcock's Signature StyleWilliam FriedkinGuillermo del Toro2009 · FilmNotable· 2 shared
  126. The Characters of Star WarsGeorge Lucas2004 · FilmNotable· 1 shared
  127. Star Wars: DroidsGeorge Lucas1985 · TV seriesNotable· 1 shared
  128. Indiana Jones and the Dial of DestinyGeorge LucasSteven Spielberg2023 · FilmNotable· 2 shared
  129. From Morf to Morphing: The Dawn of Digital FilmmakingGeorge Lucas2001 · FilmNotable· 1 shared
  130. The GuardianWilliam Friedkin1990 · FilmNotable· 1 shared
  131. Return of the JediGeorge Lucas1983 · FilmNotable· 1 shared
  132. The Escape ArtistFrancis Ford Coppola1982 · FilmNotable· 1 shared
  133. YoungbloodPeter Bart1986 · FilmNotable· 1 shared
  134. KinseyFrancis Ford Coppola2004 · FilmNotable· 1 shared
  135. The Adventures of Young Indiana Jones: Hollywood FolliesGeorge Lucas1994 · FilmNotable· 1 shared
  136. Revenge of the Nerds II: Nerds in ParadisePeter Bart1987 · FilmNotable· 1 shared
  137. Shadow Brother SundayFrancis Ford Coppola2024 · FilmNotable· 1 shared
  138. Love StoryRobert Evans1970 · FilmNotable· 1 shared
  139. Star Wars: The Clone WarsGeorge Lucas2008 · FilmNotable· 1 shared
  140. BarflyFrancis Ford Coppola1987 · FilmNotable· 1 shared
  141. HauntedFrancis Ford Coppola1995 · FilmNotable· 1 shared
  142. Star Wars: Tales of the JediGeorge Lucas2022 · TV seriesNotable· 1 shared
  143. Lost in TranslationFrancis Ford Coppola2003 · FilmNotable· 1 shared
  144. OutrageFrancis Ford Coppola1998 · FilmNotable· 1 shared
  145. CarrieKimberly Peirce2013 · FilmNotable· 1 shared
  146. The Adventures of Young Indiana Jones: Espionage EscapadesGeorge Lucas2000 · FilmNotable· 1 shared
  147. Indiana Jones: Making the TrilogyGeorge LucasSteven Spielberg2003 · FilmNotable· 2 shared
  148. Jeepers CreepersFrancis Ford Coppola2001 · FilmNotable· 1 shared
  149. Howard the DuckGeorge Lucas1986 · FilmNotable· 1 shared
  150. The French ConnectionWilliam Friedkin1971 · FilmNotable· 1 shared
  151. Amblin'Steven Spielberg1968 · FilmNotable· 1 shared
  152. Jeepers Creepers 2Francis Ford Coppola2003 · FilmNotable· 1 shared
  153. Five Came BackFrancis Ford CoppolaSteven Spielberg2017 · TV seriesNotable· 3 shared
  154. Sleepy HollowFrancis Ford Coppola1999 · FilmNotable· 1 shared
  155. Indiana Jones: The Search for the Lost Golden AgeGeorge LucasSteven Spielberg2021 · FilmNotable· 3 shared
  156. The Adventures of Young Indiana Jones: Attack of the HawkmenGeorge Lucas1995 · FilmNotable· 1 shared
  157. Star Wars ResistanceGeorge Lucas2018 · TV seriesNotable· 1 shared
  158. PumpkinFrancis Ford Coppola2002 · FilmNotable· 1 shared
  159. Star Wars: Tales of the EmpireGeorge Lucas2024 · TV seriesNotable· 1 shared
  160. BugWilliam Friedkin2007 · FilmNotable· 1 shared
  161. The Black Stallion ReturnsFrancis Ford Coppola1983 · FilmNotable· 1 shared
  162. It's Alive: The True Story of FrankensteinFrancis Ford Coppola1994 · FilmNotable· 1 shared
  163. Five Came BackFrancis Ford CoppolaSteven Spielberg2017 · FilmNotable· 3 shared
  164. Star Wars: Tales of the UnderworldGeorge Lucas2025 · TV seriesNotable· 1 shared
  165. The Making of Marie AntoinetteFrancis Ford Coppola2007 · FilmNotable· 1 shared
  166. Fading GigoloJohn Turturro2013 · FilmFaint· 1 shared
  167. Rules of EngagementWilliam Friedkin2000 · FilmFaint· 1 shared
  168. Here's Looking At You, Warner Bros.George Lucas1991 · FilmFaint· 2 shared
  169. On the LotSteven Spielberg2007 · TV seriesFaint· 1 shared
  170. The Adventures of Young Indiana Jones: Masks of EvilGeorge Lucas1999 · FilmFaint· 1 shared
  171. LabyrinthGeorge Lucas1986 · FilmFaint· 1 shared
  172. The Adventures of Young Indiana Jones: Winds of ChangeGeorge Lucas2000 · FilmFaint· 1 shared
  173. Star Wars: The Bad BatchGeorge Lucas2021 · TV seriesFaint· 1 shared
  174. Industrial Light & Magic: Creating the ImpossibleGeorge LucasSteven Spielberg2010 · FilmFaint· 2 shared
  175. The Adventures of Young Indiana Jones: Passion for LifeGeorge Lucas2000 · FilmFaint· 1 shared
  176. Your Studio and YouTrey ParkerSteven Spielberg1995 · FilmFaint· 2 shared
  177. SomewhereFrancis Ford Coppola2010 · FilmFaint· 1 shared
  178. The Adventures of Young Indiana Jones: Love's Sweet SongGeorge Lucas2000 · FilmFaint· 1 shared
  179. Blue ChipsWilliam Friedkin1994 · FilmFaint· 1 shared
  180. HammettFrancis Ford Coppola1982 · FilmFaint· 1 shared
  181. The Bling RingFrancis Ford Coppola2013 · FilmFaint· 1 shared
  182. The Boys in the BandWilliam Friedkin1970 · FilmFaint· 1 shared
  183. Star Wars: The Legacy RevealedGeorge Lucas2007 · FilmFaint· 1 shared
  184. The ExorcistWilliam Friedkin1973 · FilmFaint· 1 shared
  185. Killer JoeWilliam Friedkin2012 · FilmFaint· 1 shared
  186. Cinema16: American Short FilmsGeorge Lucas2006 · FilmFaint· 1 shared
  187. Star Wars: Maul - Shadow LordGeorge Lucas2026 · TV seriesFaint· 1 shared
  188. On the RoadFrancis Ford Coppola2012 · FilmFaint· 1 shared
  189. LIGHT & MAGICGeorge LucasFrancis Ford Coppola2022 · TV seriesFaint· 3 shared
  190. Star Wars: Evolution of the Lightsaber DuelGeorge Lucas2015 · FilmFaint· 1 shared