Talent can't be hidden in a bag, and this can certainly be said about Mario Puzo, the writer whose novel The Godfather became the foundation for the iconic gangster saga and etched its name in history. The thing is, despite his book already being recognized as a worldwide bestseller, Puzo didn’t know where to begin when it came to adapting it for the screen. And so, after the film won three Oscars, including for Best Adapted Screenplay ,he decided to delve into the art of screenwriting — and his first step was purchasing a book that advised him to... study The Godfather.
The Godfather saga is widely regarded as one of the most influential and iconic franchises in film history. Spanning three films, the saga not only captivated audiences worldwide but also earned recognition at the highest levels of the film industry, receiving a total of 9 Academy Awards. The first film in the trilogy, The Godfather (1972), set the stage for the saga’s legendary status. The film won 3 Oscars: Best Picture Best actor(Marlon Brando) and Best Adapted Screenplay (Mario Puzo and Francis Ford Coppola).
The success of The Godfather was followed by the equally impressive The Godfather Part II (1974), which is often considered one of the rare sequels that surpasses the original in quality. This second installment earned 5 Oscars:Best Picture, Best Director (Francis Ford Coppola), Best Adapted Screenplay (Mario Puzo and Francis Ford Coppola) Best Supporting Actor (Robert De Niro).
The third and final installment, The Godfather Part III (1990), did not achieve the same level of acclaim as its predecessors but still garnered attention. The film was nominated for 7 Oscars but unfortunately did not win any.
