Parents' Guide to

The Godfather

By Elliot Panek, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 16+

The classic tale of a Mafia family, violence and all.

Movie R 1972 175 minutes
The Godfather Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this movie.

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age 14+

Based on 57 parent reviews

Hilary_Saquetez104
Hilary_Saquetez104 Adult
June 19, 2021
age 13+

Violence, mafia and brief nudity it is still as must watch for everybody

Violence 8/10 - Shootings included with blood splatter (quick and not too graphic), one or two stabbings one of which bening fairly graphic (kids should look away for that one). The film displays the mob in a realistic dark tone though all the violence is important to the story and painted in a bad way. One of the most famous scenes in the film shows a man waking up in his bed to a severed horse head in his bed, it’s not too graphic though animal lovers may dislike it. One disturbing scene shows a man beating his wife (I skipped it), she smashes his plates on the floor because she is angry and he corners her in the bathroom, the camera cuts away and you can only hear her cry (it’s heavily implied he beat her). It’s important to remember basically everybody getting hurt or dying is a criminal themselves and are just as bad as the person killing them. Language 4/10 - It has extremely tame language for an R rated film. 7 uses of “bitch”, 5 uses of “ass”, 1 use of “dick” and some ethnic slurs include one use of the n-word, and many slurs against Italians. Sex/Nudity 5/10 - In one scene two characters are walked in on while having sex (Their clothed and it stops almost instantly), a woman reveals her breasts to her husband (Their shown briefly, I just skipped it), one other scene shows Sonny having sex with his mistress, their clothed and it isn’t shown (It is audible however, again I just skipped it) Drugs 3/10 - Drug trafficking is a minor plot point in the story, no drug use is shown just brief talk of it, it is presented as a dirty, risky, business type
CSMContentDefault
CSMContentDefault Adult
May 23, 2020
age 15+

Slow and methodical masterpiece depiction of sociopathy

While having a reputation for its slow pace, The Godfather's performances and tense atmosphere make every scene a pleasure to watch. In the end, the duration feels just right. The film does border on sentimentalism at times, but never departs from its earnest depiction of sociopathic barbarism that masquerades itself as "honest business." The mafia is shown their true colours as backstabbing power-hungry dangerous men with no place in any civilized society-do not let their style and presentation fool you otherwise.
See all 57 parent reviews

What's the Story?

THE GODFATHER follows the Corleone family and their rapidly multiplying troubles. Don Corleone (Marlon Brando) is on his way out, and his most promising, but unwilling, potential heir is his war-hero son, Michael (Al Pacino). As family members cope with the trials of gangster life, the latent power structures of society and family become evident.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (57 ):
Kids say (187 ):

Epic in scope while maintaining a patience and intimacy characteristic of European art cinema, this film is rightly considered one of the greatest ever made. Despite valid questions around its role in perpetuating stereotypes of Italian Americans, The Godfather continues to influence producers of films, TV shows, and video games decades after its release. Nino Rota's score, the sumptuous set design, and Brando's raspy pseudo-whisper have become part of our collective cultural memory.

The film has an operatic quality, yet it's more understated than it is flamboyant. It takes its subjects seriously, bestowing legitimacy upon the power struggles of the Mafia normally reserved for classical themes in high art. The film's release initiated a period when American filmmakers dared to take themselves and their artistic ambitions seriously (perhaps too seriously). There's something deeply resonant in the film's treatment of filial piety, the need for respect, and our culture's abiding interest in the parallel moral universe of the Mafia.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about classic movies. The Godfather is considered to be one of the greatest movies of all time. What makes a movie not only great, but a classic? How do you think it set the standard for the Mafia movies and TV shows to come?

  • How does the movie's violence serve to show what these characters are capable of in order to get what they want?

  • How does the movie explore hypocrisy, not only among the Corleones, but in society as a whole?

  • How does the movie depict Italian Americans? Do you think this was accurate? How do movies like this shape how people think about specific cultures and groups of people?

Movie Details

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