Actor Types- The Godfather

In the movie, Godfather I, there are three distinct characters that portray different types of characters. Marlon Brando played Vito Corleone, the Godfather himself. I placed Brando as a personality actor. Brando’s strong and distinct personality made the character. It is very difficult to not only imagine someone different in this role, but the role is inseparable from the actor. In the movie, his raspy voice and powerful mannerisms(1972) make it unimaginable for someone else to play the part Goodykoontz pointed out,”films with strong personalities make it difficult for audiences to differentiate between the actor and the character.” (2011) This is certainly the case for Brando in this film.
Al Pacino playing Michael Corleone can be described as an Interpreter type actor. He was able to put his own stamp of approval on the acting . Additionally, James Caan can be vied as a character actor. Over the years, he has played numerous roles over a wide variety of genres.

Goodykoontz, B, Jacobs,C. (2011).Film: From Watching To Seeing. San Diego, CA: Bridge point Education, Inc
The Godfather opening scene.(1972) http://youtu.be/CV5QskX_oW4

Lighting For The Godfather

In the movie, The Godfather, low key lighting was very effectively used to bring about the mood, the subtle messages, and to set the tone of the movie, as it was started in the beginning.
I think it was important to have the desired effect in the beginning of the movie as opposed to initiating the low key lighting somewhere in the middle. Having the low-key lighting in the beginning gave the audience a strong expectation of how the movie’s theme would play out, while setting the mood for the rest of the film. The rich hues and the closed blinds contributed to the lighting and ambiance of the scene as well. It spoke of the seriousness of the film. On the other hand, certain scenes of the movie, such as the wedding scene, the lighting used there was high key lighting that communicated the happiness of the moment. If it was switched, however, with the opening scene depicting the wedding with high-key lights, then the movie would have turned out dramatically different. The tone set would have not been as impactful in the seriousness, darkly powerful tone that was established .

Although the cinematographer in this movie was very skilled at his trade, this type of lighting strategy is typical for a movie desiring this effect. According to Goodykoontz & Jacobs, “ low key lighting for this genre is marked by extreme use of deep shadows, with very high contrast between the brightest parts of the scene and the darkest parts, which are obscured in shadows. “ They further say, “ Often there may be only a single source of light, coming from the back or the side of the main characters. Low-key lighting is often used for intense dramatic scenes, horror films, mystery thrillers, and the like.”(2011)

An example would be the exorcist. Low-key lighting was used here too, bring out the desired results for the horror movie(1973). This strategy proved to be effective in the gangster genre as well.

Blatty, W. P. (Producer), & Friedkin, W. (Director). (1973). The Exorcist trailer [Video file]. Retrieved from http://www.imdb.com/video/screenplay/vi2806357017
Goodykoontz, B, Jacobs,C.P (2011)Film:From Watching To Seeing. Bridgepoint Education. CA
(nd)Godfather Luna Mezz ‘O Mare. http://youtu.be/kmW3xVYQcPE

The Godfather

Movie-Godfather
Director-Francis Ford Coppola
Writer- Mario Puzo
Released-1972
Main Actors- Marlon Brando(Don Vito Corleone), Al Pacino(Michael Corleone), James Caan(Santino “Sonny” Corleone) Richard Castellano(Clemenza), Robert Duvall(Tom Hagen)
This movie is about a powerful mafia family headed by a wise Don Vito Corleone who sees the upcoming interests of the other mafia dons as the downfall of organized crime. The plot unfolds the nature and scope of his power, how he uses it, and the conflict his power poses to the future interests of his fellow mafia Dons, of whom he is chief. That conflict causes a murderous split among the mafia empire. Leadership of the powerful Corleone mafia family passes consecutively through two sons as their family experiences inner conflict stemming from the conflict in the mafia world. This conflict is played out as they struggle to maintain their power and preeminence. It is largely chronological, but has scenes that are not chronological. As the character of Vito Corleone is developed, the character of the Corleone family as one entity is developed simultaneously, as both Vito Corleone and the Corleone family are the protagonists.

The Godfather(1972) Movie Clip-The Baptism Murders

 

The Godfather(1972) Movie Clip-Killing Of Sollozzo And McCluskey