Top Ten Movies of all time: Number 1 - the Godfather

Just like Star Wars, The Godfather was a trailblazer that defined how gangster movies should be made. This movie based around the mafia isn't simply a ganster movie that focuses on violence and mayhem, but is a very deep movie with layer upon layer of intrigue, sublety and social commentary.

As we begin to get embroiled in the plot and watch Don Vito Corleone (or simply the Godfather), played brilliantly by Marlon Brando, hold court during the wedding of his daughter Connie, we immediately realize that the Mafia is more important than family, and business goes on depsite the life events that happen around them.

With the whole family gathered for the wedding, we begin to grow to know the characters, each with their own ideosynrasies, and really learn how the family as well as the mafia is run. Michael, played by Al Pacino, is the youngest son of Don Vito and has just returned a hero from World War 2.

Don Vito realises his power is waning and we begin to see the inner struggles of the family as they come to terms with the changing crime world, and the introduction of drugs. Don Vito is determined to keep his youngest son out of the mafia and thus relies more on his older son Sonny (James Caan) and his right hand man Tom Hagen (James Caan).

As the movie progresses and we see the five major families get embroiled in a deadly battle for power, we begin to see power struggles both within the Corleone family and in the other five families; we see treachery and intrigue all around.

What really makes this movies stand out isn't the stunning violence we see, or the superb plot and sublime acting from a stellar cast, but it's the realization that Francis Ford Coppola not only has produced a stunning cinematic experience, but has also blending in social values such as respect, responsibility and the influence of a father, and blended it into the crime and evil that is also portrayed. He's done it in such a superb way that you cannot see the line between the two!

The movies adds a huge amount of New York charisma and romance, and with the Italian theme prevalent throughout, you somehow forget about the nastiness of the mafia and focus more on the underlying themes of family, honor and tradition – it's this ability to guide the audience that makes this a true classic.

It is one of the most compelling movies I've ever seen; the atmosphere that oozes out of the screen, which combines an amazing score (that is instantly recognizable) with amazing scenery and settings, combines with much of the mindanity – making meat balls has never been so enthralling! Add to this the subtle humor that pevades the movie, and the amazing acting from the majority of the cast and you will not find many movies that even approach the class of this movie.

More so than that is the influence that the movie has had on the genre and on moving making; it has defined the way in which characters are made more real, and has helped directors focus on setting the scene and let the movie do the hard work of winning the audience over. In all respects it is one of the most complete movies of all time – it has everything – danger, action, love, intrigue and above all social commentary.

Out of all the movies I've watched, it's one of the only ones I constantly re-watch and still find new things! It simply is the greatest movie I have ever seen.