Godfather vs Goodfellas

Considered by many critics as two of the top gangster sagas in film. Both are groundbreaking in their own right. And not to mention two of my own personal favorite films. Although, I'll put Sergio Leone's Once Upon a Time in America pretty close to these too.

The differences are quite broad. The Godfather, being the most fictional of the two, was a more larger than life and mythical portrayal of the post-WWII Italian mafias. However, Puzo did base a lot of the events on fact. There was in fact a war between the families over the incoming heroine trade.

Goodfellas, on the other hand, gives a more factual first hand account of a more modern day look at the mafia today. There wouldn't be a Sopranos without Goodfellas, or the Godfather as well.

Me, I go with Goodfellas by a molecule because of it's rapid pacing. Marty just doesn't let up on this film not a dull moment anywhere.

Either way, these two films are the result of two Italian/American film geniuses and will stand forever as masterpieces.

I'd expect The Godfather to win this poll because of the average age of the people on this forum.  Younger people (my generation) seem to prefer Goodfellas, and although it is a good movie, it doesnt come close to the Godfather.

Great poll. however my love for Godfather began since i was a child, and i still love it a bit more than Goodfellas, which is also marvelous

Godfather for me. Goodfellas is a pretty good movie, but I always felt it lacked something. What that something is, I couldn't say, but I'm just not emotionally attached to it at all.

Jimbo wrote: Godfather for me. Goodfellas is a pretty good movie, but I always felt it lacked something. What that something is, I couldn't say, but I'm just not emotionally attached to it at all.

I think you answered your own query without realising it - the word is "emotionally"; The Godfather protrayed the whole family as a unit & over the course of the original film (and the sequels) you care what happens to them.

Goodfellas, whilst being a great movie, to me doesn't grab you like that - you don't have an attachment to the main characters; you want to know how they get on & what happens to them, but you don't actually care which way it goes in the same way as (for example) you care about Michael Corleone when he's separated from his fiancee & flees to Sicily, only to get married there before his past catches up with him.

Casino - finds new uses for pens I'd never previously considered

I just about prefer Goodfellas but there is nothing between them. The Godfather is probably a better piece of "cinema" but the pacing and dark humour of Goodfellas is a winner for me.

Johnny Dangerously

Slartibartfast wrote: Scarface

Edited by mr.cub - April 23 2009 at 19:44

In all seriousness, I am a big fan of the Godfather series, even 3 which wasn't as well received as the other two.  Fascinating movies.  Lots of great actors.

The music, the violence, the cotton in Brando's cheeks, whatta hamster!

And now, say hello to my little friends. 

So while we're on mobster films, anyone want to opine on the Sopranos?


Edited by Slartibartfast - April 23 2009 at 23:36

marktheshark wrote: Slartibartfast wrote: Scarface  I never really went for that film. Pacino just overacts to no end and the whole thing is just plain unsettling. IMO, Carlito's Way was a much better DePalma/Pacino collaboration. DePalma and Pacino actually showed some restraint on that one.

Carlito´s way? So so movie. Yes, it has all the elements of a great gangster movie, but I´ve seen them all before... kind of what happend to me with the Departured. Great movie, but it´s not new to me, even if it´s done in a very fresh, modern way...