While some movie fans might be put off by watching a film like Citizen Kane because it is old and shot in black and white, others can find a film's running time a daunting prospect - weighing in at just under three hours long, The Godfather certainly requires a commitment from the audience. Francis Ford Coppola's flawless adaptation of the Mario Puzo novel of the same name certainly isn't as action-packed as more modern gangster movies tend to be - instead what the viewer gets is a rich and insightful ensemble study of key players in the Mafia. Leading actors Marlon Brando and Al Pacino deliver arguably the finest performances of their careers, which given their overall acting calibre is certainly saying something. The Godfather is another exceptional movie that every self-respecting film fan should undoubtedly have seen. There's a very good reason why, like Citizen Kane, it consistently tops polls for the greatest movie of all time. But be warned, while The Godfather Part 2 is equal to the original the third instalment in the trilogy is something of a dud.
