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The Godfather balances the private lives of its characters with their sensational ‘occupation’, and that’s why I like it more than other ‘tough-guy’ movies. If I didn’t care about the family members, no amount of horse beheadings or car explosions would be able to pick up the slack. Brando and Duvall command respect in their seemingly effortless performances, and Pacino provides all the empathy necessary to serve as our window into the shady underworld of the Corleone family. James Caan is also a stand-out as the hot-head brother.

The story spans several years and a few continents, but it maintains a clean through-line: Michael Corleone’s transformation from outsider to Dom. My favorite scenes were Pacino and Brando’s, especially where Brando tells Pacino he never wanted this lifestyle for him. It’s a father-and-son story that succeeds without any pointed dialogue or sentimentality. The movie builds their relationship very delicately, beginning with the opening wedding scene. Brando tells the photographer to delay the family photo because Michael hasn’t arrived yet. For whatever reason, that was the moment I knew I would really like this movie.

Directed by Francis Ford Coppola

Academy Awards: Best Picture, Best Actor (Marlon Brando), Best Adapted Screenplay

Oscar Nominations: Best Supporting Actor (Robert Duvall, Al Pacino, James Caan), Best Director, Best Sound, Best Costume Design, Best Film Editing, Best Musical Score