Leave the Gun, Take the Cannoli - Mark Seal

Leave the Gun, Take the Cannoli

By Mark Seal

  • Release Date: 2021-10-19
  • Genre: Film
Score: 4.5
4.5
From 119 Ratings

Description

This “wickedly pacey page-turner” (Total Film) unfurls the behind-the-scenes story of the making of The Godfather, fifty years after the classic film’s original release.

The story of how The Godfather was made is as dramatic, operatic, and entertaining as the film itself. Over the years, many versions of various aspects of the movie’s fiery creation have been told—sometimes conflicting, but always compelling. Mark Seal sifts through the evidence, has extensive new conversations with director Francis Ford Coppola and several heretofore silent sources, and complements them with colorful interviews with key players including actors Al Pacino, James Caan, Talia Shire, and others to write “the definitive look at the making of an American classic” (Library Journal, starred review).

On top of the usual complications of filmmaking, the creators of The Godfather had to contend with the real-life members of its subject matter: the Mob. During production of the movie, location permits were inexplicably revoked, author Mario Puzo got into a public brawl with an irate Frank Sinatra, producer Al Ruddy’s car was found riddled with bullets, men with “connections” vied to be in the cast, and some were given film roles.

As Seal notes, this is the tale of a “movie that revolutionized filmmaking, saved Paramount Pictures, minted a new generation of movie stars, made its struggling author Mario Puzo rich and famous, and sparked a war between two of the mightiest powers in America: the sharks of Hollywood and the highest echelons of the Mob.”

“For fans of books about moviemaking, this is a definite must-read” (Booklist).

Reviews

  • Leave the gun Take the Canoli

    5
    By zoesampoochie
    A real page burner, fun read
  • Leave the Gun Take the Cannoli

    5
    By Pastaman155
    The Godfather is my all time favorite movie and I was captivated reading this book and learning what happened behind the production. The internal and external challenges of Puzo and Coppola. The in fighting and greed. But most of all I enjoyed learning more about the actors especially Brando, Pacino, Caan. Loved the book