3. The Godfather Part II
Any one of the three Godfather films (yes, even the third) could have wound up in this list, but for me the one that best surrenders the film's overarching themes and emotional depth is the end of Part II, in which Michael Corleone (Al Pacino) sits alone in his family compound, remembering happier times of his earlier days spent in New York. Now he has had his brother, Fredo, reluctantly assassinated, and has completely isolated himself, his sitting alone reflecting the previous flashback in which he is the only one not to greet Vito when he arrives for dinner. Coppola masterfully makes use of the close-up, pulling into Pacino's face to an almost discomforting degree, allowing us to feel the melancholia, profound sadness and sure regret that now consumes Michael. Though this would itself have been a fine way to wrap up the series, it is definitely a fantastic lead-in for the third film, which is very truly Michael Corleone's downfall.