Stanley Kubrick Called The Godfather the ‘Greatest Movie Ever Made’

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Stanley Kubrick was a multi-talented artist – a photographer, writer, producer, and director – but he’s best remembered for his directing. He started his career as a photographer for Look Magazine before moving into filmmaking, financing his early documentaries himself. A self-taught filmmaker, Kubrick was fascinated by all things cinema and meticulously studied everything from equipment and techniques to camera angles and even the smallest details, striving for perfection in his craft.

Stanley Kubrick is now celebrated for iconic films such as The Shining, A Clockwork Orange, and 2001: A Space Odyssey, but he dedicated years of hard work to become the renowned director he is today. He was also a keen student of film, carefully analyzing the work of other great directors. In fact, a list of 93 films that Kubrick considered to be the best ever exists, and among them, one movie from 1972 held a particularly special place in his heart.

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 lot of interest in his life and work, and a 2000 article in Vanity Fair written by his friend Michael Herr offered a glimpse into what it was like to know the famously meticulous filmmaker.

According to Herr, Kubrick repeatedly watched Francis Ford Coppola’s The Godfather, and during one conversation, he admitted—for the tenth time, though somewhat reluctantly—that it might be the best movie ever made. Coppola’s adaptation significantly changed how crime films and gangster movies were made.

The Godfather is a dramatic story about the Corleone family, a Sicilian-American mafia group in New York City, and how power shifts within it. 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.

You know, it’s funny – Francis Ford Coppola almost didn’t direct The Godfather! At first, he really didn’t like the source material, Mario Puzo’s novel, finding it a bit too… well, tawdry. He was hesitant to get involved. But he was also in a tough financial spot at the time, so he ended up taking the job. What really changed his mind, though, was realizing there was so much more to the story than just the surface level. He discovered these really powerful themes of family and loyalty buried within Puzo’s writing, and that’s what he really focused on bringing to life in the film.

As a film lover, I still get chills thinking about how much acclaim The Godfather received – it absolutely swept the 45th Academy Awards, taking home Best Picture, a Best Actor win for Marlon Brando, and the award for Best Adapted Screenplay, rightfully credited to Mario Puzo and Francis Ford Coppola. Honestly, it’s remained a landmark achievement in Hollywood ever since – a truly special film that just clicked on every level. The visuals were breathtaking, Coppola’s direction was masterful, the acting was superb, and the music? Perfection. It’s one of those rare movies that just gets everything right.

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

I remember when The Godfather came out – it really launched Al Pacino’s career and honestly, saved Francis Ford Coppola’s! He’d had a tough time with previous films, but this one was a game-changer. Both Mario Puzo, who wrote the book, and Coppola were absolutely set on Marlon Brando playing Don Corleone; they couldn’t picture anyone else in the role. It took a lot of negotiation, but they finally got him, and it was perfect – Brando was the Godfather.

Beyond the main stars, the film featured a lot of new actors and many of Francis Ford Coppola’s relatives. Coppola included his mother, Italia, in some background shots, and his sons, Roman and Gian-Carlo, had noticeable roles. Numerous aunts, uncles, and grandchildren appeared as extras, but Coppola’s sister, Talia Shire, played a significant part as the often-mistreated Connie Corleone. Interestingly, Coppola’s daughter, Sophia, who is now a director herself, was cast as a baby in The Godfather.

Stanley Kubrick praised The Godfather as having the best casting he’d ever witnessed, and for good reason. The performances from actors like Marlon Brando, Al Pacino, Diane Keaton, and James Caan were outstanding. While some viewers have noted the presence of several members of the Coppola family in supporting roles, Kubrick didn’t seem to mind.

The film’s historical importance was further confirmed by Stanley Kubrick’s praise. While Kubrick once cited Max Ophuls as his greatest influence, he included The Godfather at number 25 on a list of his 93 favorite films – a list compiled with assistance from his daughter, Katharina Kubrick-Hobbs.

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2025-12-11 01:41