History Channel Documentaries

The Godfather Legacy (2012x10)

Air date: Jul 24, 2012

In 1972, an offer was made that the world could not refuse... For more than four decade the unforgettable saga of the Corleone crime family has touched millions of lives. From their origins in a pulp fiction novel by author Mario Puzo, the Corleones inspired one of the most important and enduring films in history. Francis Ford Coppola's masterpiece The Godfather not only broke box office records, it actually infiltrated American consciousness. Narrated by actor Michael Imperioli (The Sopranos), this special looks at how this groundbreaking 1972 film and its two sequels transcended Hollywood, transformed the American psyche and even influenced real-life organised crime. Historians, scholars, law enforcement agents and real-world Mafiosi explain how these powerful on-screen mobsters, with their moral ambiguity and relatable human flaws, resonated with audiences and impacted upon popular culture. Featuring interviews with screenwriter/director Coppola and stars of the trilogy including Al Pacino (Michael Corleone), James Caan (Sonny Corleone), Joe Mantegna (Joey Zasa) and Talia Shire (Connie Corleone), this feature-length documentary also includes an abundance of memorable scenes from the award-winning blockbuster films.