On March 24, 1972, one of the most celebrated and renowned films of all time was released to the public. Ranked second on the American Film Institutes' 100 Years... 100 Films list, Francis Ford Coppolla's The Godfather is a massive, groundbreaking film whose power and influence are impossible to deny. Upon its release, it immediately became an American classic, to be remembered and celebrated for years to come. According to Vincent Canby's review in The New York Times published before its theatrical release on March 16, 1972, "Francis Ford Coppola has crafted one of the most brutal and moving chronicles of American life ever designed within the limits of popular entertainment." A 1969 novel by Italian-American author Mario Puzo, The Godfather tells the story of the elderly Don, or boss, of a powerful New York crime family. This family consists of Don Vito Corleone (played by Marlon Brando) and his three sons, Sonny, Fredo and Michael Corleone, along with their numerous partners and collaborators. It's a story of power, corruption, family, betrayal and change, but it's a coming-of-age story more than anything else. Vito Corleone is getting old and needs one of his sons to take over the family when he is gone. He knows that Sonny is too volatile and short-tempered, and Fredo is too weak and dense. Only Michael (played by Al Pacino) is smart, nice and capable enough to handle the family, but he is a soldier just returned from World War II. He has a boyfriend and is eager to start a family and settle down. Taking over the family business of murder, racketeering and extortion isn't exactly on his priority list. However, as he spends more time with his father and brothers, he eventually agrees to take over. Not only is... at the center of the paper... the mafia. On the other hand, it could also be argued that it has made them more predictable, less elusive and easier to catch, which in turn would be a good thing. It lies somewhere in the middle. However, one thing that is certain is that The Godfather had a notable effect on one of America's darkest, most violent, and scariest demographics. The Mafia is still active in America today, although it has perhaps reached its weakest point since it migrated from America. Sicily. In fact, according to the U.S. Department of Justice, over a hundred related mobsters were charged and arrested a couple of years ago. Even though the Mafia has been declining in recent years, the film that most famously depicted it is still going strong. The Godfather is one of the best pieces of American cinema and, unlike The Mob, it is very likely to remain so for a long time..