We all knowThe Godfatheras one of the most revered movies of all time, and that’s something directorFrancis Ford Coppolanever saw coming while making the movie five decades ago. Just ahead of the legendary film’s 50th anniversary, Coppola will be honored with his own star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Along with the anniversary will also come a re-release ofThe Godfathertrilogy on 4K Ultra HD and there has been a lot of renewed attention around the feature.
Coppola revisitedThe Godfatherin a new interview withVariety. Of the five decades that have gone by, the director says he still can “remember so intimately” everything that it took to make the classic film. Coppola can also recall the anxiety he felt leading up to its release and it makes him feel especially proud that The Godfather is still getting talked about with such high regard 50 years later.
“You’re always so anxious when these movies come out because of those first opinions; you hope it will go well and it’s not in your control. But by far the greatest treasure is the test of time. When people are looking at what you did 50 years later, that’s an award in and of itself.”
At the timeThe Godfatherwas made, there really hadn’t been any other movies like it. Coppola was concerned that this could lead to the film bombing and falling into obscurity, though he still didn’t see the movie as any less special. In any case, he was determined to make the film the way he wanted to, even if it fell outside of the typical formula for Hollywood movies of the era.
“I thought it was going to be a special failure. When you make a film going against the grain of what’s going on at the time, those kind of films are tough. You’re not doing what everyone expects or wants you to do.”
Related:These Are Some of the Best Mafia and Gangster Movies Ever Made
Francis Ford Coppola Wanted Mario Puzo to Have His Due Credit
Francis Ford Coppola also spoke about how he worked with the original author of the book, Mario Puzo, to develop the feature film. He remembers Puzo as a “wonderful man” and noted how he had great respect for him, as he does all writers. This is why Coppola always made it a point to feature the original author’s name above the title of the movies he’d made based on their works.
“That’s why his name is above the title. It says: ‘Mario Puzo’s The Godfather,’ it doesn’t say ‘Francis Ford Coppola’s The Godfather’ because he created it. If you look at all my pictures, you’ll always see I put the writer above the title. It’s ‘John Grisham’s The Rainmaker,’ it’s ‘Bram Stoker’s Dracula.’ And it really should be ‘John Milius’ Apocalyse Now.’ Because the writer does the heavy lifting.”
Coppola will be honored with his Hollywood Walk of Fame star on March 21.The Godfather Trilogywill also be released on 4K Ultra HD the next day on March 22.
