1. The Godfather Part II
Francis Ford Coppola's 1972 crime epic, The Godfather, was rightfully lauded as one of the finest films of all time upon its contemporary release. It was a film that never needed a sequel, but two years later, The Godfather Part II was released and the mob movie was redefined once again. Coppola's scope is broader as two storylines run simultaneously. There are flashbacks to the early rise of Vito Corleone which features Robert De Niro doing his best Marlon Brando impression and picking up an Oscar in the process. Contrasting to Vito's rise to prominence is Michael's descending amorality as the Machiavellian Don becomes the figure of a Shakespearean tragedy. The sequel is infinitely darker than the original and nothing can rival the draining moment of blackness when Michael orders the death of his brother, Fredo. Michael's downward spiral into a monster climaxes with the cold-blooded murder of his brother and the hot-headed beating of his wife, showing the two sides of the man who rules the Corleone empire with an iron fist. Godfather Part II is colder, darker, angrier, utterly mesmerising and the finest movie ever made. The first two Godfather movies are best experienced in one sitting, and whilst that may consume over six hours of your time, it's more than worth it. Shame about the third part, mind.