8 Reasons Its Tough to Watch the Godfather Trilogy Today

It’s undeniable that the film trilogy is among the greatest – and most financially successful – franchises ever created. However, looking back, the series offers a unique viewing experience. Based on Mario Puzo’s critically acclaimed novel of the same name, Francis Ford Coppola – along with the entire cast and crew – revolutionized the film industry in 1972. The first Godfather film premiered across the country on March 24th and quickly became a box office hit, earning around $275 million with a budget of approximately $6.5 million, making it the top-grossing film of 1972.

If you haven’t seen the most important films in the gangster genre, The Godfather, The Godfather Part II (1974), and The Godfather Part III (1990) tell the story of the Corleone family and their criminal business. Though Marlon Brando as Don Vito Corleone is captivating in the first movie, the series mainly follows the dramatic changes in his son, Michael Corleone (Al Pacino). Francis Ford Coppola’s Godfather films are still considered brilliant, but some parts of this epic gangster story might be harder to watch in 2025 than they were before the year 2000.

The Godfather Trilogy Is Roughly Nine Hours Long

Most movies run between 90 and 120 minutes. However, many directors, both from the past and today-like Martin Scorsese, Christopher Nolan, and others-feel that isn’t quite long enough. This is certainly true for Francis Ford Coppola and the Godfather trilogy, which totals around nine hours of viewing time: The Godfather runs for 175 minutes, The Godfather Part II for 200 minutes, and The Godfather Part III for 180 minutes.

Longer films aren’t inherently bad-in fact, they can be great if the extra length allows for richer details, more developed characters, and a well-earned, expansive story. But, many people struggle to commit to a film series that takes up so much time. Whether it’s due to work commitments, family responsibilities, or just a lack of available time to unwind with some popcorn, shorter movies often work better because they deliver their story more directly and efficiently. Ultimately, it comes down to respecting the viewer’s time.

The Godfather Movies Exemplify Slow-Burn Plots

It’s no surprise that The Godfather is lengthy; the trilogy excels at delving into the details. A major reason for the franchise’s lasting success is how the characters and their criminal world feel incredibly realistic. Things unfold slowly-scenes aren’t rushed-and this deliberate pace, especially across all three films, allows for deep character development, particularly for Michael. For instance, Connie Corleone’s (Talia Shire) wedding in the first film takes up about 30 minutes on its own.

If you’re hoping for a movie that’s a quick and easy watch, The Godfather series probably isn’t what you’re looking for. The story unfolds at a deliberate pace, with characters taking their time to develop and each line of dialogue serving a specific purpose. The trilogy isn’t a fleeting experience – which is a great thing – but it’s also, surprisingly, a bit of a downside when compared to the many fast-paced movies available today.

The Godfather Trilogy Demands Consistent Attention

Filmmakers generally approach directing in one of two ways: they can directly tell the audience what’s happening and where the story is headed – usually through what the characters say – or they can show it through the visuals. Although these approaches can sometimes overlap, directors usually lean more towards one style or the other, as each has its own advantages and disadvantages. In the case of , Coppola clearly prefers to show rather than tell. He doesn’t explain things directly, and it requires close attention to fully understand the plot.

The Godfather and its sequels are thoughtful films that entertain while also sparking conversation. However, fully understanding Coppola’s work demands close attention and focus from the audience. Sadly, it’s become harder for people to maintain that level of concentration, likely because of things like the instant satisfaction offered by social media.

The Godfather’s Special Effects Are a Little Outdated

The Godfather feels very grounded in reality, especially considering the first two films were made in the 1970s. While the trilogy generally avoids excessive visuals, it does employ special effects, particularly to depict character injuries. The way Moe Greene (played by Alex Rocco) dies – shot in the eye – is still considered a standout effect in the series. Similarly, the infamous horse head scene from the first film is memorable. The car bomb that tragically kills Michael’s first wife, Apollonia (Simonetta Stefanelli), in the first movie is also notable for its scale.

Looking back, some of the special effects in The Godfather don’t quite stand the test of time. For instance, much of the blood shown throughout the three movies appears obviously painted on, rather than looking like the result of a real crime. While these scenes are still visually engaging, certain violent moments show noticeable flaws and aren’t as convincing as they might have been over 50 years ago. The fight between Carlo Rizzi (Gianni Russo) and Sonny is a good example, as it’s clear the punches aren’t making contact.

The Godfather Trilogy’s Female Characters Are Underused

As a huge fan of The Godfather trilogy, I’ve always noticed how few prominent female characters there are – it’s definitely a very male-dominated world. Really, only two women get significant screen time throughout all three films: Kay Adams Corleone (played by Diane Keaton), Michael’s second wife, and Connie, the Corleone daughter. We do get to know Michael and Kay’s daughter, Mary (Sofia Coppola), but honestly, she feels more like a way to move the plot forward than a fully developed character herself. It’s just something I’ve always picked up on when rewatching the saga, and it’s a pretty noticeable aspect of the films.

Because Coppola’s sprawling gangster saga focuses on Michael’s perspective, it’s understandable that the Corleone family and their shady dealings are the main focus. However, it’s clear that the portrayal of women isn’t particularly flattering. Throughout The Godfather, if the female characters aren’t shown weeping or voicing their grievances, they’re likely either being belittled or subjected to physical violence by a man.

Luca Brasi’s Character Differs Significantly From the Book

Film adaptations rarely stay completely true to the books or stories they’re based on, no matter how much effort is put in. Due to limitations with time and what looks realistic on screen, changes from the original source are always going to happen. Usually, the biggest problems come from two things: major changes to the plot, and differences in how characters are portrayed (sometimes even characters being completely left out). A good example of this is with Luca Brasi (Lenny Montana), who serves as a tough guy and protector for the Corleone family.

In Mario Puzo’s novel, Brasi is likely the most villainous character, known for his extreme violence-he even commits infanticide, which contributes to his frightening reputation as an enforcer. However, in Francis Ford Coppola’s film, Brasi’s portrayal is drastically different-he remains somewhat gruff, but appears strangely shy and not very bright. If the Godfather is ever remade (though it’s improbable), Brasi certainly deserves a better interpretation.

The Godfather Part III Is the Weakest in the Trilogy

As a huge fan of the Godfather films, I have to admit The Godfather Part III is definitely the odd one out. It’s always felt like the black sheep of the trilogy to me. The story picks up quite a while later, and we see Michael, now in his 60s and clearly showing his age, desperately trying to keep the Corleone family’s criminal empire together.

It’s disappointing that the final Godfather movie doesn’t live up to the quality of the first two, and a lot of that comes down to one bad choice in casting. Initially, the role of Mary was intended for Diane Keaton. Then, Winona Ryder was cast, but she also had to withdraw. Ultimately, Coppola chose his daughter, Sofia (who has since become a respected director, but was a teenager at the time). This decision felt like favoritism and, in the end, hurt the movie as a whole.

The Godfather Trilogy Has Plenty of Plot Holes

Generally speaking, The Godfather tells a compelling story that unfolds very well. Al Pacino brilliantly portrays Michael’s change from a quiet war hero into a heartless criminal, and the very beginning of the first movie immediately establishes the perfect atmosphere. Despite having many characters and smaller storylines, Coppola successfully brings everything to a satisfying conclusion in The Godfather Part III.

However, the film does have a few noticeable plot holes. For example, the attempt on Vito’s life in the first movie isn’t very believable-he likely wouldn’t have survived such an attack in reality, and his death at that point wouldn’t have moved the story forward. The film also never clarifies who was behind the assassination attempt on Michael in The Godfather Part II. Although these plot inconsistencies don’t ruin the overall story, they do leave viewers with some unanswered questions.

2025-10-01 17:25