The Godfather: Part II (1974)

Directed by: Francis Ford Coppola

Starring: Al Pacino, Robert De Niro, Robert Duvall, Diane Keaton, and John Cazale

If The Godfather is the greatest film of all time, The Godfather: Part II is nothing short of a masterpiece that challenges this notion.  The second installment is both a sequel and a prequel to the original film.  The film chronicles the life of Don Michael Corleone (Al Pacino) as he continues his leadership of the Corleone family business after the events of The Godfather.  In parallel, it shows the young Vito Corleone’s (Robert De Niro) rise to power as he founds the Corleone crime family in the early 1900s.

Like its predecessor, The Godfather: Part II emphasizes the core value of family.  Coppola focuses on Corleone’s struggles with maintaining the family business.  In the midst of betrayal, death, and other internal family strife, Michael embraces tough decisions to ensure the survival of his crime syndicate that spans the United States.  The Godfather: Part II is a grand epic that is worthy of just as much acclaim as its predecessor.  Don’t miss this just for a buzz!  This film is more than three hours long, so plan your time accordingly.