20 Things You Probably Didn't Know About The Godfather
1. The Film Inspired The Real Mafia
When you look at the mobsters in The Godfather wearing fancy suits and talking about the importance of loyalty, you would think these elements were taken from the real Italian mafia. However, it was the other way round!
According to Tim Adler's book, Hollywood and the Mob, the film was directly responsible for depicting 'gangsters into men of honour instead of what they were really were - pig-ignorant, violent-sentimental goombahs'. Even though the mob are synonymous with loyalty above all else, gangsters ratted on each other all time pre-Godfather! Also, the term 'godfather' was even used by the mafiosi. The term was popularised by Mario Puzo.
But after the film depicted these criminals as men governed by class and respect, it wasn't long before gangsters copied the way the characters dressed, spoke, and talked. Astoundingly, the way the mafia functions and is perceived would be completely different today if it wasn't for the existence of this movie.