Francis Ford Coppola

         

    Many names come to mind when discussing Post-classical film making. Names like George Lucas, Steven Spielberg, Martin Scorsese, Woody Allen and Robert Altman, but one stands out amongst them all; Francis Ford Coppola. Francis Ford Coppola is renowned as one of Hollywood’s most influential and celebrated filmmakers. He is often considered to be the epitome of a group of directors known as the Young Turks. His films have had a significant impact on American cinema. Francis Ford Coppola is best known for his works such as The Godfather, The Godfather Part II, and Apocalypse Now. Not only has Coppola been an influence with his directing, he has made a significant impact with his writing and producing. Before Coppola gained fame from his Godfather movies, he won his first Academy award alongside Edmund H. North for Best Original Screenplay in 1970 for co-writing the film Patton. Over the years the opening scene from Patton has become iconic and has been mimicked by other artists such as South Park, Johnny Knoxville, The Carol Burnett Show, Little Shop of Horrors, Sesame Street and Boston Legal.

            Francis Ford Coppola would not gain true cinematic success until two years later when he directed The Godfather, his near three hour long epic which followed the Corleone family. To this day, the original Godfather is considered one of cinemas greatest milestones. This film would get Coppola an Academy award for Best Original Screenplay, which he shared with Mario Puzo and two Golden Globes for Best Directing and Best Screenplay. Marlon Brando also won an academy award that year for his portrayal of Vito Corleone, which he refused to accept. The Godfather is ranked third behind Citizen Kane and Casablanca on AFI's 100 Years....100 Movies list. Although The Godfather is honored as one of cinemas greatest achievements, it is not without controversy. There is a scene in which animal rights activists highly object to in Coppola’s film in which a real severed horse head is in the bed of one of the characters. Coppola stated that the head was sent to him from a dog food factory and so thus the horse was not killed specifically for the film. This is not the only time one of Coppola’s films has been attacked by animal rights activists. In Coppola’s masterpiece, Apocalypse Now, a water buffalo has its head cut off as part of a ceremonial act put on by a local tribe. The American Humane Society gave his film an “unacceptable” rating.

          Coppola’s impact on film is not only through his writing, but through his producing as well. Coppola has produced many films including; American Graffiti, Frankenstein, Sleepy Hallow and Marie Antoinette. Coppola’s influence can be seen throughout American cinema and popular culture. George Lucas (a long time friend of Coppola) even stated that he based the character of Han Solo off of Coppola. Coppola’s nephew is the famous Nicholas Cage and Coppola befriended Jim Morrison in California and later used his band’s song “The End” at the beginning and end of Apocalypse Now. Francis Ford Coppola will always be an inspiration for years to come and we all are looking forward to what is coming next from this controversial and brilliant filmmaker.