Francis Ford Coppola's 1972 film The Godfather is based on Mario Puzo's 1969 novel of the same title. A true cinematic epic, the film is widely considered as one of the best films of the 20th century. It spawned two successful sequels: The Godfather Part II (1974) and The Godfather Part III (1990). From its top-rate cast to compelling story, The Godfather is definitely a triumph for Coppola. The movie's birth, however, was a difficult one.

The search of the director

Sergio Leone, best known for his Dollars (1972), was Paramount's first choice to direct the movie. He declined, however, after reading the script as he felt that it would glamorize the Mafia. Peter Bogdanovich was also offered to direct but likewise refused. Coppola turned down the project at first for the same reason Leone declined the offer.

After realizing that he owed Paramount some $40,000 because of the failure of THX 1138 (1971), a film he produced and directed by George Lucas, Coppola eventually relented and agreed to helm the movie. He approached the film not to laud the Mafia, but to make an allegory of modern American capitalism.

Casting Don Vito Corleone

Casting was also a big problem. The actors considered to play Don Vito Corleone included an all-star cast: Orson Welles, Edward G. Robinson, George C. Scott, and Ernest Borgnine. Coppola was eyeing either Marlon Brando or Laurence Olivier. He even turned down Frank Sinatra who offered to play the central character.

When Olivier's health worsened, Coppola lobbied hard to cast Brando. At that time, Brando was considered "washed up" following the terrible performance of his recent film, Queimada (1969). Executives at Paramount were against his inclusion in the cast. After some heated negotiations, Brando got the part on the conditions that he would undergo a screen-test and the studio would pay him below his usual asking price.

Casting Michael Corleone

Many actors were considered to portray Michael. They included Rod Steiger, Martin Sheen, Dean Stockwell. Warren Beatty, Dustin Hoffman, and Jack Nicholson were also offered the role but declined. Paramount wanted Robert Redford but Coppola refused, considering Redford "too WASPy." James Caan and Ryan O'Neill suddenly became the frontrunners, but the director wanted Al Pacino, a little-known actor at that time. Paramount then realized that they wanted Pacino for Michael.

Filming

The filming of The Godfather, which was fraught with difficulties, began on March 29, 1971. Paramount head Robert Evans kept a close watch on the director and even tried to bring in a "violence coach" if Coppola did not up the action quotient. Evans threatened to replace him with Elia Kazan at one point. Hearing about the threat, Brando said he would quit if Kazan replaced Coppola, as he despised Kazan because of his testimony that led to the blacklisting of many Hollywood figures. Filming ended on August 6, 1971.