What Did Mario Puzo Think Of The Godfather? A Look At The Author’S Legacy

Mario Puzo was a bit of a film buff. He loved movies and, according to him, The Godfather movie was better than his novel. He once said: “The first Godfather is in the best 20 movies of all time – I don’t think you could say that about the book.”

Puzo’s statement is interesting because it suggests that he felt the movie adaptation captured something that his novel didn’t. What could that be?

For one, the movie had a larger-than-life quality that the book couldn’t quite achieve. The stunning visuals, the iconic performances, and the sweeping score all contributed to a sense of epic scale. The film also offered a more direct and visceral experience of the violence, the power, and the corruption of the Mafia.

Perhaps Puzo also felt that the movie’s ending was more satisfying. The book ends with Michael Corleone firmly in control of the family business, but it’s a bleak and ultimately hollow victory. In the movie, Michael’s journey is marked by a sense of tragic inevitability. He is a man who has lost everything he once held dear, and his ultimate triumph is a Pyrrhic victory.

It’s important to note that Puzo’s opinion was not universally shared. Some critics felt that the movie simplified the novel’s themes and characters. Others felt that the film’s violence was gratuitous and unnecessary.

But Puzo’s love for the film was evident. He went on to work on the two sequels, and he was actively involved in the production of both films. In a way, he saw the movie as a culmination of his work. It was a testament to the power of his story, and it showed that his words could be brought to life on the big screen in a way that was both visually stunning and emotionally resonant.