I finished reading 'The Godfather, by Mario Puzo'.

[Neoma]

So, is the movie as good as the book? Because I haven't watched it yet. For some reason I doubt it, even if it got famous.

[texanwitch]

1. Most books are better then the movie.

Just look at the Stephen King movies based on his books.

I liked the movie, I remember standing in a very long line to see it.

[Neoma]

2. I couldn't ever get through the wedding part, it just seemed so boring.

[Starbucks Anarchist]

3. The movie's WAY better.

Not to say that the book isn't a good read, but in literary history, it's not near or at the top of any list -- however, in film history, the movie most certainly is.

And Part II is even better, if you can believe it, though you should skip Part III -- it's crap in comparison.

[Neoma]

4. Maybe I'll be on your good literary history list someday.

*sighs*

[Starbucks Anarchist]

5. LOL, not what I meant.

It's an enjoyable and well-executed book, but the movie is light years better, one of the few cases where the film turns out better than the book itself.

[volstork]

14. I read the book years after first seeing the movie

and was RIVETED, although I knew the plot and outcome. A book can always flesh the story out a great deal more; I do love the movie, though-- one of my top 10 faves.

[some guy]

6. I thought the movie

followed the book pretty closely. It helped me to follow the movie, having read the book, because movies have to try to convey what may be several pages of a book in a 6 second scene.

[mitchum]

7. "If I had known that so many people were going to read that book...

I would have written it better" - Mario Puzo

Edit: The movie is far better than the book

[Neoma]

18. Haha, great quote.

[Poiuyt]

8. In my opinion, The Godfather is one of the greatest American movies ever made

Watch it while eating spaghetti

[Neoma]

20. I'd rather have pizza.

[deutsey]

32. I agree...see it as a metaphor for what went wrong with America after WWII

Michael represents the exemplary war hero who defeated fascism and yet succumbs to the dark corruptions of the American social/political system upon his return.

It's no coincidence that the first words of the movie are: "I love America."

[Dukkha]

9. I showed it to my g/f for the first time last week

with pizza and wine. great saga though I never have and probably never will see part 3. I come from a big traditional Italian family and our weddings always look like the opening scene in part one.

[Neoma]

19. Yeah, no one likes the third one.

Probably because it sucks? :P

[undeterred]

10. I think it depends which you encounter first.

As great a movie as Gone With the Wind is, if you've actually read Margaret Mitchell's amazing novel, seeing the movie after you've read the book will be disappointing. The book gives you pages and pages of detail on every character- you know so much background on Scarlett O'Hara's father, for example, but in the movie he's barely there in a couple of scenes.

I haven't read any Godfather books since I was a teen, and I think it was the first R movie I ever saw. That's about all I remember :-)

[badgerpup]

15. Was surprised when I read GWTW...was so different from movie!

Scarlett had THREE kids...but you only hear about Bonnie Blue Butler...

and what they did to the character of Melanie...jeez louise. In the movie she's this fragile, fainting, helpless, clingy female and you're glad when she finally croaks. Wonder what Ashley ever saw in her...besides she was a cousin (they make a remark about the Wilkes family always seems to marry their cousins).

In the book, she was truly a Steel Magnolia...strong, tough, determined. She's not as...well, vivid as Scarlett, but she was still a force to be reckoned with.

[undeterred]

17. The characters are much more complex in the book

not that there aren't some great performances in the movie- but Scarlett has a whole lot more depth in the book too. And you really get that Irish old country background.

[Neoma]

21. The first R movie I saw...

Well, all I remember about that movie was a someone sticking acid in someones mouth.

[Neoma]

22. So I guess I'll watch the movie first then.

[Mayberry Machiavelli]

11. Get the DVD of the movie. I agree with Starbucks Anarchist, it's way better than the book.

And I like the book very much.

The movie is pretty faithful to all major plot points, but it's like a beautiful dark painting. Acting, music, cinematography are about as perfect as it gets in a film.

[Neoma]

23. Well after reading the book.

I don't see how, but I may see it someday anyways.

[bridgit]

12. the movie's alright, Coppola wraps the violence within some grander...

vision as does Scorsese too often, that Italian life in America is little more than a clean, crisp, white laced wedding party dancing all teethy atop finiculi finicula interspersed with botta boom botta bing so that by the time they garrote Luca Brasi many are able to think perhaps, "Oh no! Why are they being so mean to poor Luca, the noble, loyal, hulking, simple-minded man at a loss for so many words." when Luca brought measures of detached animal cunning & violence to the book, eh...

that's hollywood for'ya, it's a good movie :popcorn:

[qdemn7]

13. Another vote

For the movie being MUCH better than the book.

[Neoma]

24. Amazing that people say that.

Books are supposed to be better than the movies. :P

[mitchum]

29. No, the conventional wisdom is that good literature generally does not...

translate well onto the screen because so much of the "literariness" (tone, nuance, complexity of characterization, ambiguity, etc...) depends on the written word, while a potboiler has the necessary ingredients that do translate well to the screen (propulsive plotting, use of familiar types, etc...) Of course, there are always exceptions, but this is an area where conventional wisdom is...wise.

[mohinoaklawnillinois]

16. I read the book before the movie premiered and I thought the book was

a good read. But when I saw The Godfather Part I on the big screen back in 1972, I was amazed, I also went completely batty over Al Pacino at the tender age of 19. He was so gorgeous and what an actor....

[Neoma]

25. What character did he play?

[Bunny]

27. Michael.

[MrSlayer]

26. The Godfather is widely regarded as one of the 5 best movies ever made.

Make a point to see it, I doubt you'll be disappointed.

[qdemn7]

28. Agreed

It is one of best films ever made. Just be sure and rent it on DVD in its widescreen version.

[triguy46]

30. IMHO, the movie is outstanding.

[WinkyDink]

31. Hello! The movie (and GII) is considered one of the top 5 evah, as Mr.Slayer said!

It is awesome.

I love the book (and HATE that there's no book of GII!), but the superb acting, spot-on directing, brilliant writing, on-site scenery, EVERYTHING make the move transcend the novel.