Francis Ford Coppla’s 1972 classic, The Godfather, allows the viewer to peek inside the seedy

underbelly of New York City, and experience the Mafia in a new light. The plot revolves around Vito
Corleone, the head of the Corleone family, and his youngest son, Michael. Micheal, a World War 2
veteran, refuses to take part in the family business. However, after the failed assassination attempt on his
father, Micheal dives into the very life he tried so hard to avoid, leaving behind a wake of betrayal and
violence. The Godfather is the best movie of all time due to Coppla’s exquisite use of shadows and the
inspiring qualities within Vito and Micheal.

Unlike most movies in the early 70s, which were bright in order to be visible at drive-ins, The
Godfather ignored society's suggestions, and was much darker than most movies prior. Coppola’s heavy
contrast between light and dark symbolizes the internal struggle of good and evil within each member of
the Corleone Family, particularly that of Vito and Micheal. In the opening scene, a man is asking Vito to
harm the men who assaulted his daughter, the man’s eyes shrouded in darkness. This sets the tone of evil
and violence from the first frame. The camera slowly pans out until it is behind Vito, us only seeing his
shadow. Immediately, this sets the precedent that Vito is the one in power and is the most evil of all
present. Just outside is Micheal, his face shining in the midday sun, still innocent, full of good and
promise. Over the course of the film, shadows consume more and more of Micheal’s face, representing
his plunge into the family business, as he replaces Vito as the Godfather.

The Godfather is shown through one perspective, where the viewer only sees those within
organized crime. This allows us to sympathize for those who are essentially evil. Not once in the film do
we see the innocent affected by the mob. No drug or gambling addicts shown. Zero pimping or
prositution. This presents the Corleones as more human since only criminals are harmed on screen. Thus,
respectable qualities possessed by members of the family allow us to see them as the ‘good’ guys. For
example, Vito refuses to push drugs because of its effect on people, despite the amount of money to be
made. This separates him from other heads because they wouldn’t hesitate to establish this new revenue
stream. Secondly, nothing is more important to Vito than his family, providing those close to him with
anything they wish. With Micheal, he uses his determination and leadership to catapult him up the ranks
within both the mob and marines. Integrity, loyalty, leadership, and determination are qualities all should
learn from Micheal and Vito Corleone. Coppola proves with this film that even the most evil of people
can be the good guys.