The core of The Godfather is a masterful study of the Corleone family, operating as a "shadow" organization navigating the American Dream. The narrative hinges on the transition of power from the aging patriarch, Vito Corleone (Brando), to his reluctant youngest son, Michael (Pacino).
The film opens with a rival gang threatening the family’s turf, forcing the aging Don to rely heavily on his younger enforcer.
Final Grade: D+ (or C-, depending on how many drinks you’ve had) the godson 1971
The story follows (played by Jason Yukon), the ambitious godson of a powerful crime boss.
Marco is put in charge of the syndicate's primary brothel, which becomes a roaring success. However, his greed quickly outweighs his loyalty. He decides to double-cross his boss and his sadistic rival, Mr. Danielli, in an attempt to expand the empire into the burgeoning drug trade. This sets off a mini-mob war that culminates in a showdown at a deserted trailer park. The core of The Godfather is a masterful
The film features a cameo from Uschi Digard, a Swiss-born actress famous for her appearances in Russ Meyer's films, though her role is disappointingly brief. Another notable cast member is Deborah McGuire, one of comedian Richard Pryor's ex-wives, who also appeared in the Meyer classic Supervixens .
: It serves as a fascinating look at what independent crime cinema looked like immediately prior to the release of The Godfather . Final Grade: D+ (or C-, depending on how
The year 1971 stands as a fascinating, transitional crossroads in cinema history, particularly for the crime genre. While the entire film world was anxiously anticipating Francis Ford Coppola’s upcoming 1972 masterpiece The Godfather , a similarly named but vastly different cinematic curiosity quietly made its mark. The Godson (1971)—originally released in France as Le Voyou (which translates literally to "The Rogue" or "The Thug")—is a stylized, genre-bending French crime caper directed by the legendary Claude Lelouch.
: The film is available on DVD from Something Weird Video, paired with another Novak production, Below the Belt . The DVD includes a commentary track by Harry Novak and friends, short subjects (“I, Uschi” and “Uschi Meets Dracula”), a gallery of exploitation art and photos, the theatrical trailer, and a collection of trailers for other Novak films including Bust Out , Fugitive Girls , The Mafia Gang , The Manhandlers , Prison Girls , A Scream in the Streets , and Up Your Valley .
Long before Francis Ford Coppola’s The Godfather became a cultural phenomenon in 1972, the "grindhouse" circuit was already looking for ways to capitalize on the buzz surrounding Mario Puzo’s best-selling novel. Enter , a low-budget sexploitation film produced by the legendary Harry Novak and directed by William Rotsler.