The Godfather Legacy [Paperback]

Harlan Lebo (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 10, 1997

This is a behind-the-scenes look at how Francis Ford Coppola transformed a modest pulp novel into a financial and artistic triumph. There are production stills and in-depth accounts of the worldwide acclaim and financial success following the release of "The Godfather". The study also details the production and release of "The Godfather Part II" and "The Godfather Part III".

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Crammed with behind-the-scenes details."

-- Los Angeles Times

"Fantastic -- an incredible job."

-- Al Ruddy, producer of The Godfather --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

Product Details

• Paperback: 304 pages
• Publisher: Fireside; First edition. edition (March 10, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0684836475
• ISBN-13: 978-0684836478
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 7.4 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (20 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,493,738 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Terrific inside information behind a great trilogy, October 17, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: The Godfather Legacy (Paperback)

This book makes an *excellent* supplement The Godfather films. It's full of interesting behind-the-scenes info, anecdotes, and recollections. The book is even a bigger "must have" now since the trilogy is finally now out on DVD.

There are some minor discrepancies between what this book says and Coppola's commentary on the DVDs. For instance, the book mentions that Al Pacino twisted his ankle in the scene following the shooting of McClusky and Sollozo, but Coppola believes it happened outside the hospital scene after Michael visits his father. Also, the book claims Clemenza's role was cut from Part II because Richard Castellano (the actor) wanted too much money. Coppola says Castellano wanted to have an associate write Clemenza's dialogue.

There's a wealth of production photos, and great inside stories of a troubling production. Coppola was almost fired several times, and he got into heated disagreements with his crew many times. Pacino had problems during the production (the studio wanted to fire him) and had a rocky road to stardom at this time. He was paid a measily $35,000(!) for the first film. And he never saw any of this money because of legal expenses from a lawsuit. For Part II, his paycheck was $500,000 plus a percentage of the gross.

If you're a movie fan and of this trilogy in particular, get this book!

22 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Read the book, watch the movies...(repeat as necessary), April 16, 1998

By 

Crosstie Walker (Morgantown, WV USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Godfather Legacy (Paperback)

Great in all aspects (source material, trivia not previously covered in other books/articles, etc.), except that Parts II and III kind of get short shrift!

I know that just getting Brando, Coppola and everybody else on board was a huge undertaking and that's why the launch of the "franchise" gets so much ink, but many of us (including me) are partial to Part II and wanted a bit more on Pacino/Michael's continued character development, as well as more on DeNiro/Young Vito Corleone. Maybe another volume?

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars If you are a fan...this is the book for you., August 5, 2001

By 

mariea stella (philadelphia, pa United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Godfather Legacy (Paperback)

I read this book twice in one week and I'm reading it again. I just couldn't put it down! There is so much insider info in here that you must know. If you are a true Godfather Fan, this in one book that you must have. I just couldn't believe the problem that Francis Ford Coppola had in trying to get this movie done. This is a wonderful book to have in your collection. Read this and then watch the movie again. It gives you a whole different perspective on the movie. This is one book you can't refuse!