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  • The Masterpiece That Almost Wasn't (2008)
  • Video | 30 min | Documentary, Short
The Masterpiece That Almost Wasn't (2008)
Video | 30 min | Documentary, Short

On the 35th anniversary of the release of the landmark film "The Godfather," (March 15, 1972) we look back at the time and place of the film's conception and shooting. Forces in the film industry were in conflict: Hollywood was on the ...See moreOn the 35th anniversary of the release of the landmark film "The Godfather," (March 15, 1972) we look back at the time and place of the film's conception and shooting. Forces in the film industry were in conflict: Hollywood was on the decline toward cultural irrelevance, conglomerates were taking over the storied movie studios and a new generation of auteur filmmakers including the young and then unknown Francis Coppola were emerging from film schools. The studio hated Coppola's ideas for casting, visual style and almost everything else, as they hoped for a quick, inexpensive exploitation of a pulpy best-seller. But one year later, said then Secretary of State Henry Kissinger at the world premiere in New York City: "...this picture is going to be just huge around the world, because if you can cry for a leading character who has killed 100s of people when he- when he dies, and you cry for him when he's dying, that's touching greatness, and this man, Coppola, has touched greatness." Written by Kim Aubry See less
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Director
Producer
Kim Aubry (producer)
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Status
Edit Released
Updated Jun 3, 2008

Release date
Jun 3, 2008 (Australia)

Contacts

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Cast

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49 cast members
Name Known for
Mick LaSalle
Self - Film Critic, 'San Francisco Chronicle' Self - Film Critic, 'San Francisco Chronicle'   See fewer
Robert Evans
Self - Production Chief, Paramount Pictures 1966-75 Self - Production Chief, Paramount Pictures 1966-75   See fewer
Joe Mantegna
Self (as Joseph Mantegna) Self (as Joseph Mantegna)   See fewer
Kenneth Turan
Self - Film Critic, 'Los Angeles Times' Self - Film Critic, 'Los Angeles Times'   See fewer
Luther Adler
Self (archive footage) Self (archive footage)   See fewer
Richard Benedict
Self (archive footage) Self (archive footage)   See fewer
Neville Brand
Self (archive footage) Self (archive footage)   See fewer
Mel Brooks
Self (archive footage) Self (archive footage)   See fewer
James Caan
Self (archive footage) Self (archive footage)   See fewer
Sid Caesar
Self (archive footage) Self (archive footage)   See fewer
Wally Cassell
Self (archive footage) Self (archive footage)   See fewer
Richard Castellano
Self (archive footage) Self (archive footage)   See fewer
John Cazale
Self (archive footage) Self (archive footage)   See fewer
Dom DeLuise
Self (archive footage) Self (archive footage)   See fewer
Kirk Douglas
Self (archive footage) Self (archive footage)   See fewer
Marty Feldman
Self (archive footage) Self (archive footage)   See fewer
Michael V. Gazzo
Self (archive footage) Self (archive footage)   See fewer
Bruce Gordon
Self (archive footage) Self (archive footage)   See fewer
Sterling Hayden
Self (archive footage) Self (archive footage)   See fewer
Bern Hoffman
Self (archive footage) Self (archive footage)   See fewer
Diane Keaton
Self (archive footage) Self (archive footage)   See fewer
Morgana King
Self (archive footage) Self (archive footage)   See fewer
Henry Kissinger
Self (archive footage) Self (archive footage)   See fewer
Al Lettieri
Self (archive footage) Self (archive footage)   See fewer
Peter Mamakos
Self (archive footage) Self (archive footage)   See fewer
John Marley
Self (archive footage) Self (archive footage)   See fewer
Paul Picerni
Self (archive footage) Self (archive footage)   See fewer
Mario Puzo
Self (archive footage) Self (archive footage)   See fewer
Victor Rendina
Self (archive footage) Self (archive footage)   See fewer
Herman Rudin
Self (archive footage) Self (archive footage)   See fewer
Vito Scotti
Self (archive footage) Self (archive footage)   See fewer
G.D. Spradlin
Self (archive footage) Self (archive footage)   See fewer
Robert Stack
Self (archive footage) Self (archive footage)   See fewer
Abe Vigoda
Self (archive footage) Self (archive footage)   See fewer
Yvonne Wilder
Self (archive footage) Self (archive footage)   See fewer
Keenan Wynn
Self (archive footage) Self (archive footage)   See fewer
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