The Godfather

Paramount wanted something cheap. After its previous gangster picture flopped, the studio planned a contemporary-set story shot on the backlot for around $2.5 million and put an executive on set to watch the spending; Francis Ford Coppola, who believed he could be fired any week, fought for period New York and Sicily and a budget that ran past six million. What he delivered is less a crime film than an American tragedy about capitalism - a family business that launders murder through the language of loyalty, obligation and nothing personal. Michael's descent is the whole design: the war hero who wanted no part of the family ends the film accepting a hand-kiss as Don. Three Oscars, including Best Actor for Marlon Brando, who refused his.