The Epic Story of the Making of The Godfather

Nov 22, 2021

Mark Seal, an accomplished journalist and author of 'Leave the Gun, Take the Cannoli,' reveals the fascinating journey behind the making of The Godfather. He shares how Mario Puzo's struggles shaped the iconic story, and the surprising casting choices that brought legendary characters to life. Seal discusses Coppola's directing challenges, including a real mob boss's interference and the unexpected acclaim for Marlon Brando's portrayal of Don Corleone. Discover the film's cultural legacy and the improvisational gems that define this cinematic masterpiece.

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ANECDOTE

Puzo's Early Life

Mario Puzo, author of The Godfather, grew up poor in Hell's Kitchen.
He worked various jobs but always aspired to be a writer, initially prioritizing critical acclaim over commercial success.

ANECDOTE

Puzo's Motivation

A gallbladder attack and mounting debt motivated Puzo to write for money.
Eight publishers rejected The Godfather before one took a chance.

INSIGHT

Mafia Influence

Despite growing up around mobsters, Puzo claimed he never met a real one.
Nationally televised Kefauver hearings on organized crime inspired him to write a mafia novel.

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When it comes to lists of men’s favorite movies, The Godfather is a perennial inclusion. And as hard as this may be to believe, the critically acclaimed and popularly beloved film is coming up on the 50th anniversary of its release.

Journalist Mark Seal wrote an in-depth piece on the making of The Godfather for Vanity Fair magazine back in 2009, and after doing even more interviews with director Francis Ford Coppola, the actors of the film, and other behind-the-scenes players, wrote a new book on the subject called Leave the Gun, Take the Cannoli: The Epic Story of the Making of The Godfather. It’s easy to forget that the film was based on a novel by Mario Puzo, and we spend the first part of our conversation there, with Mark unpacking how an indebted gambler became a bestselling novelist. From there we turn to how Puzo’s novel was adapted for the screen — a story as dramatic and entertaining as the film itself. Mark explains why Coppola took the job of directing the film and his genius for casting. He delves into the unexpected selection of Marlon Brando to play Don Corleone, and how James Caan inhabited the role of Sonny, despite not being Italian-American. We get into how a real-life character named Joseph Colombo temporarily shut down production of the film in opposition to the stereotyping of Italian-Americans as mafia, despite the fact Colombo was a mob boss himself. Mark explains why Coppola considered making The Godfather the most miserable experience of his life and the X-factor that ultimately made the film so good. We end our conversation with whether a movie like The Godfather could be made today.

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