Analysis of opening scene of "The Godfather" (1972) directed by Francis Ford Coppola

          The pace of the opening is very slow. The movie begins with a black screen with music playing, the title of the movie is then slowly revealed on top of the black screen. The title having a puppet string above the “father” gives the impression of someone pulling strings and deceiving, which is what follows later in the film. The only colours used up to this point are black and white, not too striking, which fits with the slow paced calm opening. For the next three minutes of the film there is one shot from the same angle zooming out from a close up of a man’s face to an over the shoulder shot of another man, not yet revealed as the godfather. This reveal while the first man is telling a story of her daughter being mistreated makes it obvious that he is trying to get help from the godfather – who is already suggested to be an important and powerful figure through this man begging him for help. There is no music throughout this whole scene after the title and as a result the scene is very quiet. This is suggesting that they do not want anyone to hear, adding to the secrecy of the scene. The godfather is in shadow at this point, demonstrating the mysterious nature of his character. The lighting being low key at this point, creating many shadows fitting with the theme of crime throughout this film – this man clearly has a lot to hide. The man then walks out of shot and back into shot next to the godfather and whispers in his ear. They are both now in shadow, suggesting the enigmatic and dangerous request that he has asked of the godfather.

        It then cuts to a close up of the front of the godfather’s face. This is the first time in the film his face has been revealed and the dialogue now shifts from the first man to him. The focus is now on the godfather. It then cuts to a long shot of the room, where he is in centre of frame and has two men in the room with him as well as the first man. The Mis en Scene with the support of these two men suggests his superiority, he is clearly in charge. After this it cuts to a mid-shot of the godfather sitting down stroking a cat, giving the impression that he is comfortable in this situation, reinforcing his superiority. It also links him to the room, and with his opulent clothing and the room itself looking professional and expensive places him as a grander character. His calm tone of speaking and the laid back actions also reinforce him being comfortable in this situation; he is very powerful and is also not a stranger to a life of crime. The slow pace of editing also reinforces this calm and suggests the control he has over the situation.

        As the godfather stands up it cuts to a long shot of the room where the two other men also stand up and cross the room. This gives the impression of them rising to protect him in case of emergency, and therefore how important the godfather is. It could also potentially be that because he has stood up, they have to also to treat him with respect as he is extremely powerful and they cannot afford to be his enemy. The godfather approaches the man in a slight low angle shot reinforcing his dominance over the man, the godfather actor is also taller, making him seem more threatening.

          The opening scene ends with a close up of the man kissing the godfather’s hand, and the godfather escorting him out. This demonstrates the respect that the godfather expects and is used to, reinforcing his superiority.

      Through the slow pace of editing, the opulent Mis en Scene and the actions of the godfather and the men around him, the godfather is introduced as a mysterious and dangerous character that demands respect, and you do not want to be one of his enemies.