Francis Ford Coppola's blockbuster is arguably the preeminent film of its kind in the modern era. The Godfather became one of the highest-grossing films in movie history and in 1972 earned Coppola three Oscars for Best Screenplay, Best Film and Best Director.

A potent mix of generational feuding, betrayal and revenge.The Godfather immortalises Italia Mob life in America. Favourite son Michael reluc­tantly inherits the criminal fiefdom of Don Vito Corleone. We watch his evolution from white sheep of the family to budding Capo and, eventu­ally, hard-boiled Mobster.

Coppola's much-imitated crosscutting tech­nique is displayed for the first time; religious rit­ual and machine-gun massacres are juxtaposed, to devastating effect. The 'offer you can't refuse', the introduction of a champion racehorse head into the bedroom and blood splattered fettuccini are indelibly impressed upon our cinematic consciousness.