It is incredible that The Godfather has consistently been one of the top liked movies in the world. Is it the violence? Is it because people feel as though they have to like it? Is it the Christian allusions that show up repeatedly? Well there are many Christians in the world, so maybe they like to see their religion being shown subtly.
It starts with the fact that from the beginning, The Don is a holy character. With a nickname like The Godfather, it is clear he is a god in the Mafia community.
The camera angles Coppola used characterizes The Don as a god. There is a camera shot where The Don's head is in the middle of a window, where there is light all around his head, as if it was a halo. Not only that, but in the same shot, half of the screen is black, because of Bonosera's black suit. This is a classic "black and white" shot, with the Don in the light, and Bonosera in the dark.
Coppola is interestested in the relationship between God and people. It just so happens that the first scene happens on the day of The Don's daughter's wedding, where The Don cannot refuse a request. Even though The Don is so powerful, much like God is viewed, when people ask him for a simple request, much like prayers, he cannot refuse, even with all his power.
Later in the movie, The Don is shot five times, but survives. Five shots could be viewed as unnecessary from Sollazzo, because he is angry at The Don, but it is not a coincidence that Jesus Christ was struck five times, and after he died, he came back to life.
Michael, The Godfather's son, is moving up in the family business now, so I am personally interested in what is going to happen, and if it will somehow be connected to another Christian allusion.
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