The Godfather Part II (1974)

Fifty years ago, recent Oscar winner Francis Ford Coppola returned to write and direct what was likely one of the most highly anticipated sequels in the history of cinema.....and barely two years after the original film (The Godfather) had set the world by storm not only setting box office records but winning several Oscars including Best Picture.  How could any film live up to that?  Well in the opinions of most who saw it, THIS one did! Returning are stars Al Pacino, Diane Keaton, Robert Duvall, Talia Shire, and John Cazale among several others in this next chapter of The Corleone Saga with Al's Michael now leading one of the most powerful crime families in the country.  And this time around, he's expanding his empire further by working out a deal with powerful kingpin Hyman Roth (Lee Strasberg) to expand operations into Cuba.  Of course, several complications ensue including an attempt on Michael's life which arouses suspicions towards every one around him.  From there, things don't go exactly as planned as Michael's fear and paranoia take him into unexpected directions.  Along the way during this 3+ hour epic, Coppola also presents us with the origins of Michael's father Vito now played by Robert Deniro.  We follow Vito's story from an orphaned kid travelling from his homeland of Italy to New York City and eventually growing into adulthood, building a criminal empire.  Considered by many to be even better than its predecessor, this would go on to win six Oscars including Best Picture.   Host & Editor: Geoff GershonProducer: Marlene GershonSend us Fan MailSupport the showhttps://livingforthecinema.com/Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/Living-for-the-Cinema-Podcast-101167838847578Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/livingforthecinema/Letterboxd:https://letterboxd.com/Living4Cinema/