Leave the Gun, Take the Cannoli

The Epic Story of the Making of The Godfather

By: Mark Seal

Narrated by: Phil Thron

Length: 15 hrs and 1 min

Publisher's Summary

This “wickedly pacey page-turner” (Total Film) unfurls the behind-the-scenes story of the making of The Godfather, 50 years after the classic film’s original release.

The story of how The Godfather was made is as dramatic, operatic, and entertaining as the film itself. Over the years, many versions of various aspects of the movie’s fiery creation have been told - sometimes conflicting, but always compelling. Mark Seal sifts through the evidence, has extensive new conversations with director Francis Ford Coppola and several heretofore silent sources, and complements them with colorful interviews with key players including actors Al Pacino, James Caan, Talia Shire, and others to write “the definitive look at the making of an American classic” (Library Journal, starred review).

On top of the usual complications of filmmaking, the creators of The Godfather had to contend with the real-life members of its subject matter: the Mob. During production of the movie, location permits were inexplicably revoked, author Mario Puzo got into a public brawl with an irate Frank Sinatra, producer Al Ruddy’s car was found riddled with bullets, men with “connections” vied to be in the cast, and some were given film roles.

As Seal notes, this is the tale of a “movie that revolutionized filmmaking, saved Paramount Pictures, minted a new generation of movie stars, made its struggling author Mario Puzo rich and famous, and sparked a war between two of the mightiest powers in America: the sharks of Hollywood and the highest echelons of the Mob.”

“For fans of books about moviemaking, this is a definite must-read” (Booklist).

©2021 Mark Seal. All rights reserved. (P)2021 Simon & Schuster, Inc. All rights reserved.

A great book that draws from many, many sources

Every time I find the definitive book, someone comes out with another.

Because the film is now fifty years old many of the creators are no longer with us. At the Academy Awards this year even Francis is showing his age, but he graciously gave credit to Robert Evans publicly for the movie coming together. If you want to know why that was a monumental moment in the history of cinema- or at least this terrific movie, this book will help. The author almost certainly did some interviews himself, but he openly admits that he has drawn from fifty (or more) years of interviews, articles and documentary information. Mark Seal has delivered an authoritative history of one of the greatest films in cinema history.

The detail is amazing, even before the film is a thought in anyones mind. He tells a detailed, yet still concise history of Mario Puzo creation of the novel, the deals he went through, risks he took, and recklessness he embraced. It's a great story even before a brilliant, yet still young and untried, director named Francis Ford Coppola entered the picture.

If you're a fan of The Godfather, cinema history, or filmmaking in general this book will be right up your alley. It's well told and detailed. It surpasses The Godfather Legacy by Harlan Lebo (a darn good book in it's own right) and uses it as a primary source. Then it includes 25 more years of scholarship to create the definitive book on the subject- and maybe the last one while several key players are still with us.

The narration was well done. Phil Thron didn't do impressions, but he changed his voice enough to match the characters he was quoting- those who have a distinctive cadence or voice.

I know I'll listen to it again, probably on my next long road trip. There are lots of great stories associated with this film. If we're very lucky Mark Seal will have culled enough material for books on G2 and G3 as well.

Awesome story behind the best movie ever!

If you are a fan of The Godfather, this is a must listen, it’s long, but then again, so was the movie. The author tells the entire history of the original film including the writing of the book, casting, filming, etc. it’s filled with amazing stories and details about this movie came to fruition. It’s interesting and funny with lots of references to the film that are nostalgic. Definitely was worth my time and money.

Great story. Compelling characters.

Breezed through it. Great supplement to a rewatching of The Godfather. Do it. It won't waste your time.

Made me feel like the movie producer!

Great story about the making of one of the epic movies of all time. Mark Seal does a great job of putting the reader right on the movie set!

One of the best listens

One of the best listens. You'll want to watch the movie again after this listen.

An ofter you can’t refuse

I loved the movie and loved this book too. All of the behind the scenes stories and just how difficult it was to bring it all together is entertaining and fascinating. I keep hindsight is 20 20, but the thought of anyone BUT Brando, Pacino, Caan, Duvall and Keaton in the roles and the Nino Rota soundtrack is hard to imagine.

Can I give a 10??

Excellent audiobook and narrator! Wished I could have given it a 10!!! Interesting insight into one of the most iconic movies of all time. After listening to this audiobook I went back and rewatched the movies but this time with the backstory in my mind from this book.

Enjoyable

As a fan of The Godfather, I found this book fascinating. I watched “The Offer” so it seemed only natural to follow up with this book. Phil Thron gives a great performance. He reads as if he was there through the entire production. I recommend this book to anyone who has a love for movie making and background.

Great telling of a great story

If you’re into behind the scenes doc-books, you can’t do much better than this. Incredible detail told I’m a whistful, thorough way. I couldn’t put it down. Great fun to read after just reading The Godfather as well!

Fascinating

The Godfather is an all time great - and I might be one of the only people who likes the book better than the movie. This is a compelling account into how it all came together. Terrific narration brings it home. As with the movie, it’s a little too long for my taste. Could have been a few hours shorter and still told the story.

Silver not quite gold

Its good and hard to say where to improve. Clearly written with a viewpoint that benefits some at the expense of others. I fount the story and the various tangents interesting but there is a bit too much pandering to the giant egos of the actors

Simply stunning

I listened ro this right after having watched the Paramount series “The Offer”. As always, the book is even better. Anyone who loves “The Godfather” and the world of classic movies would love it, I believe.

Just read the thing, eh?

If you're a fan of either the book or the film of "The Godfather" this is essential. Talk about life imitating art...

Solid narration, just the right tone for the material.

Fascinating

Makes me want to immediately reread the book and rewatch the film, brilliant book and performance.

Great insight into the making of a masterpiece

Hard to stop listening to this. Full of interesting facts, and background information which makes the movie even more of a draw to watch. Every charcter has a story behind their getting the part, every scene has a story as to it's conception. Any fan of the movie should listen.

Bada-bing

If you like the Godfather ..you’ll love this insight into the making of perhaps one of the best films ever made 👌🏼

Very well researched

A very worthy book about the greatest film ever made.
Great performance and the book is so well researched.

A Book You Shouldn't Refuse

Just loved every second of this fascinating, meticulously researched account of a perfect film. BADA-BOOM!

The story behind the greatest of films

For anyone like me who places the Godfather (and no doubt GF2) at the very top of their all time best films lists, this is a fascinating journey into how the film came about (and almost didn’t). Learn how everyone played their part - the writer, director, producers, film studio, the actors and even the mob. Perfectly narrated. Enlightening and enjoyable.