Stanley Kubrick Said The Godfather is the ‘Greatest Movie Ever Made’

by

Stanley Kubrick was a multi-talented artist – a photographer, writer, producer, and director – but he’s best known for his directing. He started his career as a photographer for Look Magazine before moving into filmmaking with self-funded documentaries. A self-taught filmmaker, Kubrick meticulously studied every part of the filmmaking process, from cameras and techniques to composition and even the smallest details, striving for complete mastery.

Stanley Kubrick is now celebrated for iconic films such as The Shining, A Clockwork Orange, and 2001: A Space Odyssey, but he spent years honing his craft to achieve this level of success. He was a dedicated student of film, constantly analyzing the work of other great directors. In fact, a list of 93 films that Kubrick considered the best ever exists, and he particularly admired The Godfather, a 1972 release.

Stanley Kubrick Said The Godfather Was The Greatest Movie Ever Made

Stanley Kubrick, the director of films like Dr. Strangelove, died in 1999, soon after showing his final movie, Eyes Wide Shut, to a small group. His death sparked a great deal of interest in his life and work, especially given his reputation as a meticulous perfectionist. A revealing article published in Vanity Fair in 2000, written by his friend Michael Herr, offered fans a personal look at what it was like to know him.

According to Herr, Kubrick repeatedly watched Francis Ford Coppola’s The Godfather, and during one conversation, he admitted, for what seemed like the tenth time, that it might be the best movie ever made. Coppola’s film revolutionized both the crime genre and the specific sub-genre of gangster movies.

The Godfather is a dramatic story about the Corleone family, a powerful Sicilian-American mafia group in New York City. After an attempt on the life of the family patriarch, Don Vito Corleone, his youngest son steps up to protect his family, even if it means compromising his own values.

Francis Ford Coppola originally didn’t want to direct The Godfather because he thought the novel was overly sensational. However, he eventually agreed to take on the project when he found himself in financial difficulties. While he initially disliked the source material, Coppola discovered underlying themes of family and loyalty in Mario Puzo’s work, and these became central to his vision for the film.

The film was a major winner at the 45th Academy Awards, taking home prizes for Best Picture, Best Actor (Marlon Brando), and Best Adapted Screenplay (written by Mario Puzo and Francis Ford Coppola). It’s still considered a landmark achievement in Hollywood, a truly special movie that brilliantly combined beautiful imagery, strong direction, outstanding acting, and a memorable score.

Kubrick’s Opinion On The Godfather’s Cast Was A Subversive One

The Godfather launched the careers of actors like Al Pacino and director Francis Ford Coppola, who hadn’t found success with previous films. Both Mario Puzo, the author of the novel, and Coppola strongly wanted Marlon Brando for the lead role, believing no one else could play the part. After much negotiation, Brando agreed to star as the Godfather.

Beyond the main stars, the film featured a lot of new actors and many members of Francis Ford Coppola’s family. Coppola’s mother, Italia, appeared in some background shots, and his sons, Roman and Gian-Carlo, had noticeable supporting roles. Numerous aunts, uncles, and other relatives worked as extras. Notably, Coppola’s sister, Talia Shire, played the often-mistreated Connie Corleone, and his daughter, Sophia—who would later become a director herself—was cast as a baby in The Godfather.

Stanley Kubrick praised The Godfather as having the best cast he’d ever seen, and for good reason. Marlon Brando, Al Pacino, Diane Keaton, and James Caan all gave outstanding performances. While some viewers have noted the presence of several Coppola family members in minor roles, Kubrick didn’t find this to be a drawback.

The film’s historical importance was further confirmed by Stanley Kubrick’s praise. While Kubrick once cited Max Ophuls as his greatest influence, a list of his 93 favorite films—created with his daughter, Katharina Kubrick-Hobbs—ranked The Godfather at number 25.

Read More

2026-03-21 00:36