Every Francis Ford Coppola Movie Ranked Worst To Best

The first Godfather is often cited as the greatest film ever made, as well as one of the most influential. Watching it now, nearly 50 years after its initial release, it's easy to see why. Like all of Coppola's greatest films, The Godfather has aged like fine wine, and can been seen again and again and always offer up something new for you to find.

The story of Michael Corleone (Al Pacino) and his rise to power amidst his father Don Vito's (Marlon Brando) declining health is one for the ages, having inspired numerous unworthy imitators and no equals. The film is, at its heart, incredibly dark and gritty, but is so hypnotic and easy to watch that its intimidating runtime slips away without fault.

All you need to understand The Godfather's greatness are the images that come with it: the horse's head in the bed; the opening prologue that is about as quotable as cinema's ever been; the brutal death of hot-headed Sonny (James Caan); Michael becoming a godfather and the Godfather simultaneously; and Vito's painfully human death whilst playing with his grandson.

The Godfather is a masterpiece of tension and character development, but in the end Coppola still finds a way to one-up himself...