This âwickedly pacey page-turnerâ (Total Film) unfurls the behind-the-scenes story of the making of The Godfather, fifty years after the classic filmâs original release.
The story of how The Godfather was made is as dramatic, operatic, and entertaining as the film itself. Over the years, many versions of various aspects of the movieâs fiery creation have been toldâsometimes conflicting, but always compelling. Mark Seal sifts through the evidence, has extensive new conversations with director Francis Ford Coppola and several heretofore silent sources, and complements them with colorful interviews with key players including actors Al Pacino, James Caan, Talia Shire, and others to write âthe definitive look at the making of an American classicâ (Library Journal, starred review).
On top of the usual complications of filmmaking, the creators of The Godfather had to contend with the real-life members of its subject matter: the Mob. During production of the movie, location permits were inexplicably revoked, author Mario Puzo got into a public brawl with an irate Frank Sinatra, producer Al Ruddyâs car was found riddled with bullets, men with âconnectionsâ vied to be in the cast, and some were given film roles.
As Seal notes, this is the tale of a âmovie that revolutionized filmmaking, saved Paramount Pictures, minted a new generation of movie stars, made its struggling author Mario Puzo rich and famous, and sparked a war between two of the mightiest powers in America: the sharks of Hollywood and the highest echelons of the Mob.â
âFor fans of books about moviemaking, this is a definite must-readâ (Booklist).