Best acting/performance in GF trilogy

Who do you think did the best acting/performance in The Godfather trilogy? Some say it was Brando, others say it was Cazale, others think that Gazzo, Pacino, DeNiro, Strasberg, etc. In my opinion I love Brando's and Gazzo performances.

Brando, followed by Gazzo.

The actor who played Manolo. I forget his name.

I enjoyed Pacino's metamorphosis over the course of the trilogy. He's so soft spoken at the beginning of The Godfather, turns absolutely cunning and ruthless toward the end of The Godfather, becomes just detestable in The Godfather II, and then tries to redeem himself in The Godfather III.

It's hard to name who the best is. I can say without hesitation that Sofia Coppola was the worst performance out of anyone in the three films.

This is like a parent to name his favorite child.

The land lord in God father 2

Perhaps so. But she was rather easy on the eyes. At least I thought so.

~ Q

Whi was Manolo? Are you referring to Steven Bauer in Scarface?

Brando.

Brando..I've always liked James Caans performance as well..

Al Pacino.

We seem to overlook Talia Shire. Follow her metamorphosis through all three. It is an interesting transition from film to film. The trilogy is heavy on the "guy" aspects, but behind every Italian macho-man is a strong Italian woman. Connie carried on where her mother left off.

Exactly MC. I remember a III critic pointing out that Connie was appropriately blousey in III and that was true.

Forgetting GF III, all the performances are brilliant. It is amazing how well they stand up.

I think the greatest acting is the ensemble..these pictures proved the shibboleth "there are no small parts" to be true. When you look at the performances of the characters, Tessio, Clemenza, Solozzo, Barzini, McCluskey, Woltz, Carlo, Tattaglia,Mama Corleone, to name a few, it is mind boggling. It is even a greater accomplishment that so many of the characters were reprised as younger people in II.

True DT. All of the parts fit together so well and the performers play their parts brilliantly.

Al Lettieri.

Lettieri's an example of how excellent casting extended even to the (relatively) minor characters, all of whom add to the quality of GF and II. Another is Joe Spinell as Willie Cicci. He gets one line in GF and a bit more in II. But he's so perfect, that everyone remembers him.

I agree that all actors play their part to perfection. It is a gorgeous ensemble effort.

Brando, Pacino, Caan, Duvall, Cazale are obvious. Their performance is so layered.

I would add to the secondary characters peoples have already mentionned : Senator Geary, some top notch acting there.
Also Diane Keaton as Kay. She does a lot with what she is given.

Oh, young Clemenza too !

Just saw G.D. Spradlin as a southern Colonel on Gomer Pyle last night. Quite a different character.

He was good in Apocalypse Now, as the general who commissioned Willard's mission. I always remembered the lunch scene which also featured Harrison Ford. He says to Willard something like "If you eat this local shrimp, you'll never have to prove your courage to me."

Sure thing Every actor was terrific in the portrayal of their respective characters They even looked like their characters!

All credit to Coppola for his terrific casting

To me, acting is the single biggest difference between the first two movies and GFIII.

While some of the performances in major roles left a bit to be desired (hi, Sofia!), the lack of the perfectly-cast smaller characters also kept GFIII from casting the same spell the first two did.

I mean, George Hamilton?! Really?!

For me,the absence of Tom Hagen was the most disappointing part of Part III. Duvall turned down the role over a salary dispute. He said that he wouldn't have minded Pacino getting twice what Duvall was offered,but the figure was more like 3 or 4 times the amount. It would have been great if they would have negotiated with Duvall and got him to sign on. I would have loved to see the character arc continue for Hagen. Not even Father Guido Sarducci's appearance can ease my pain.

I meant the Godfather and Godfather 2 I forget Godfather 3 exists!

Well, may we say, Coppola save his Winery because nothing will save Godfather 3!

If Michael had died?

Like many Americans, I don't know all that much about Australia. But I recently read about the whole Governor General/Whitlam fiasco. What a crazy situation!

That and the disappearance of Harold Holt are two stories that make me think Australia is very similar to the USA in some ways, but has an appealing bizarreness that we can't really hope to match.

(Don't take offense, I mean that as a compliment.)

Sure thing Woltz Well, may I say! Godfather can't hold a candle!! to our Great Southern Land


The Gangsters have better chance of serving out their terms in the Commission!

Just curious So what piqued your interest recently that you read about Australia?
As regards Down Under crazy! you have not met me!!

And what character did Australia play in the Godfather trilogy ?

That would be Johnny's second wife.

It's more bizarre than you imagine. In his old electorate they dedicated a new building in his honour. Can you guess what it was?

A public swimming pool.

Makes me smile Would that be Fontane's or Ola's

Can't wait to meet Down Under crazy! Lana

No doubt every actor played their part to perfection Flawless

I wasn't specifically searching out Australia reading but I like books about travel, etc. and I think I came across those stories in Simon Winchester's "Pacific."

Still, I'd love to visit one day.



Ugh! That is bizarre.

Australia is an offer you can't refuse!

Other than the main characters, who were all excellent, to me there were a couple that stole the scenes they were in: Moe Greene and Fanucci

The best small part was the dog that was startled when Michael keeled over dying