Al Pacino Thinks the First ‘Godfather’ Is “More Entertaining” Than ‘Part II’: “It’s Really Storytelling at Its Best”

Hollywood Reporter ^ | APRIL 19, 2023 | Kirsten Chuba

[nickcarraway]

He's right.

[V_TWIN]

Probably an unpopular opinion but I liked III better than II.......one reason was Andy García......always been a fan.

[Michael.SF.]

I vote for Part II. The flashbacks make it the preferred version for me. But both are in my personal Top Five.

[nickcarraway]

That is an unpopular opinion. I never actually saw III.

[OttawaFreeper]

I like the flashbacks (with Robert De Niro as young Vito Corleone) in Godfather 2, but agree that the first is better in a number of respects. I recall reading not long ago that apparently there was disagreement between Mario Puzo and Francis Coppola over Fredo’s fate in 2 as Puzo argued that in real life, Fredo would have been seen as a weak person on his own and therefore really not posing a threat to Michael. Thus, there was really no reason to have him killed but Coppola insisted otherwise. This is the aspect of Godfather 2 that I am not a fan of.

[Red Badger]

I can honestly say I never saw a single one of them...............

[Mouton]

I like the first too except when my wife says you’re Italian why was our wedding not like that one.

[FatherofFive]

So many great lines and scenes from I. Only bad scene is Sonny beating up Carlo

[nickcarraway]

I vote for Part II. The flashbacks make it the preferred version for me. I think the flashbacks actually made it less than the original. Greeks were on to something about unity of drama. But both are in my personal Top Five.

What about the movie he directed between those two movies?

[God luvs America]

it went downhill after Pt I- it usually does

[nickcarraway]

Why that scene? Wasn’t it necessary for the Turnpike scene?

[pepsi_junkie]

He is right. Part I told a great story about how an idealist became, over time, lost all of his innocence and became a totally amoral man. It's a character story and a damn good one.

Part II tells about what he does with his power how far he's willing to go and what prices he's willing to pay to protect it. It really doesn't have a character arc, he's the same guy at the beginning as he was and the end. So from that perspective it's less satisfying.

[glennaro]

I like just about anything Al Pacino had a significant role in. A very eclectic, extraordinarily talented actor, including a fine role in Glengarry Glen Ross.

[Bon of Babble]

We’ve had this discussion in my family since the 70s.

We are evenly split on which is the better movie I or II.

I side with II. (and have taken hell for it..).

[x]

It depends on what you want.

The Godfather was dramatic.

Godfather II was epic.

The 82-year-old star

When you put it like that it sounds like he's really old.

[nickcarraway]

Was Panic in Needle Park good?

[woodbutcher1963]

IMHO, watch the first two. Skip the third one altogether.

Godfather I is IMHO(and most critics)one of the very best movies ever made.

[FatherofFive]

Why that scene? Wasn’t it necessary for the Turnpike scene?

They needed the scene, but the fighting was lame. Carlo recoiled from an obviously missed punch. Minor flaw in what I consider to be the best movie ever made

[1Old Pro]

Godfather I is IMHO(and most critics)one of the very best movies ever made.

No doubt, the Hulu or Prime program "The Offer" about the making of it was very interesting as well.

[Dr. Sivana]

I agree with GF I being best. I saw it for the first time on the big screen for the 25th Anniversary. The acting up and down was first rate. For instance, Apollonia is not a Hollywood style beauty, but she is utterly enthralling and easily sells us on her appeal to Michael.

Early in the movie, the change from the Don’s dark office to the bright wedding etc. has the desired effect. Two scenes: the Sollozzo scene in the restaurant and the scene at the hospital had me on the edge of my seat. The movie was called the Godfather, so I assumed thT meant Vito, but like in Martin Chuzzlewit, the author pulls a switch, as Michael is also going to be a Godfather, but I didn’t know that, and figured he could get killed by Sollozzo or McCluskey or Barzini.

To fully appreciate GF II, you have to have seen GF I, but GF I stands alone. In many ways, GF II is GF I sideways, with Michael trying to expand on Vito’s ambition, and despite ability and determination, it doesn’t work, as Vito’s world is gone.