The Godfather is a 1972 American Mafia film. Popularly viewed as one of the best American films ever made, The Godfather, the multi-generational crime saga is considered a touchstone of cinema. It is one of the most widely imitated, quoted, and lampooned movies of all time.
One of the iconic symbols from the cinema during 1970s, the puppet strings from The Godfather represent the strict rule of Mrs. Lisbon. The six strings represent each member of the family (Lux, Cecilia, Bonnie, Mary, Therese, and Mr. Lisbon) whom are controlled by Mrs. Lisbon’s Rules.
Coppola has often said that his favorite word is “hope,” and it is that sense of hope and belief in redemption that best defines “The Godfather” films as Catholic art. King goes on to say that the films are “full of Catholic themes, including justice and mercy, fate.
I find it interesting that Francis Ford Coppola’s “The Godfather” (1972) does not care for the romanticization of a life of crime, but it rather focuses on Michael Corleone (Al Pacino); it wishes to tell us how the presence of evil within a family is an abyss that can corrupt anyone, no matter how sensible or rational.
Having designed the iconic black and white puppeteer logo for the cover of the original novel. American graphic designer S. Neil Fujita was called upon to create the haunting artwork of Brando in blood red profile for the British release. I could not find information that she created this version of the poster, but I believe it fallowed the same over all theme she used on the other posters.
The Godfather had a font created just because of the film. The Corleone font, aka The Godfather font is a fancy, various fonts designed by FontMesa.
One of the most significant aspects of The Godfather’s cinematography and this poster is the use of shadows. Willis used shadows to create a sense of mystery and intrigue, which perfectly complemented the film’s themes of power, corruption, and family. The red rose obviously is the symbol associated with love and romance. Placed over the Don’s left breast, or over his heart, it may represent passion or foretell the spilling of blood.
