The Best of Francis Ford Coppola!

When you ask a movie lover what the best film of all time is, there’s a good chance they’re going to answer with The Godfather. In fact, Steven Spielberg -- a legendary director in his own right -- did just that when he called it the best American film ever made over the weekend! It is by none other than Francis Ford Coppola, a leading figure in the American New Wave and who is considered one of the greatest filmmakers of all time.

Over the weekend, Francis Ford Coppola received the AFI Lifetime Achievement Award, the highest honor bestowed by the American Film Institute. So, in honor of Coppola, let’s take a look at some of his greatest movies!

1. The Godfather (1972)

We already teased it above, so we’ll jump right in and start with what so many consider the greatest movie ever made. The Godfather is based on the novel by Mario Puzo which follows the powerful Corleone crime family, led by the aging patriarch Vito Corleone as he tries to secure his legacy. At the same time, we watch his son Michael transform from a classic all-American boy to a ruthless mafia boss. The movie stars an incredible ensemble cast that includes Marlon Brando, Al Pacino, James Caan, Richard Castellano, and Robert Duvall. What sets The Godfather apart as a gangster film is its deep, psychological portrayal of mobsters, combined with its focus on a dysfunctional family at the story’s core. Almost naturally The Godfather went on to win several Oscars. But even today, it hasn’t lost its impact and is ranked as the second-best film in American cinema by the American Film Institute as of 2007. (Stream on Pluto TV)

2. The Godfather Part II (1974)

Following the success of The Godfather, Paramount Pictures greenlit a follow-up movie which was also directed by Coppola. The Godfather Part II is a truly unique movie in that it is both a sequel and a prequel to the first. The film follows two parallel storylines – the prequel depicting the rise of Vito Corleone as a boy who flees Sicily for the U.S. after his family is murdered, and the sequel focusing on Michael Corleone in his new role as Don and protector of the family. Many of the original cast members returned to set, but also new ones joined, such as Robert De Niro and Lee Strasberg. While sequels generally get a bad rap, The Godfather Part II was a huge success and is also frequently cited as one of the greatest films of all time. It was also the first sequel to ever win an Oscar for Best Picture and remains the only one to do so after its predessor also won the award. (Stream on Pluto TV)

3. The Conversation (1974)

Written, directed, and produced by Francis Ford Coppola, The Conversation is a neo-noir mystery thriller that is often regarded as one of the most influential films ever made. The story is about a surveillance expert who finds himself in a moral dilemma when he realizes his recordings might have captured a potential murder. It stars Gene Hackman in the lead role, with John Cazale, Harrison Ford, and Cindy Williams in supporting roles. Coppola’s talent to explore fear and paranoia against a minimalistic backdrop stands out here, making it an ever relevant film as it questions the role of technology in today’s society. Definitely worth a watch! (Stream on Prime Video)

4. Apocalypse Now (1979)

In 1979, Francis Ford Coppola and Marlon Brando teamed up again to make yet another movie that would go on to be considered “one of the best”. Produced and directed by Coppola, Apocalypse Now is a psychological war film based on Joseph Conrad's 1899 novella Heart of Darkness, which Coppola set during the Vietnam War. It follows Captain Willard on a secret mission as he tries to assassinate Colonel Kurtz, who is accused of murder and presumably insane. Captain Willard is played by Martin Sheen, while Marlon Brando shines in the role of Colonel Kurtz. Fellow cast members include Robert Duvall, Frederic Forrest, and Albert Hall. Although it's mostly remembered today for its extremely frought production, Apocalypse Now is nevertheless often credited as being one of the greatest war movies as it captures the horror and thrill of war, revealing dark truths about mankind. If you are ready to explore the darkest corners of humanity, Apocalypse Now is definitely your movie. (Stream on PLEX)

5. Bram Stoker’s Dracula (1992)

Another book adaptation, Bram Stoker’s Dracula is a gothic horror film that redefined the vampire genre and is still considered the definitive adaptation of Bram Stoker's classic tale. Prior to this movie, vampires were portrayed as monsters with long black robes. Coppola, however, made his Count Dracula intelligent, refined,  terrifying, but also desirable through his manipulation. The movie follows Count Dracula (Gary Oldman) as he becomes obsessed with Mina Murray (Winona Ryder), who resembles his long lost love and is the fiancée of Count Dracula’s lawyer (Keanu Reeves). Coppola’s Dracula marks the beginning of prestige monster movies with big stars and directors attached, such as Mary Shelley's Frankenstein (1994). To this day, however, Coppola’s film is the only Dracula adaptation to win an Oscar! What an achievement! (Stream on Pluto TV)

6. The Outsiders (1983)

A bit of a departure from Coppola's typical lavish period pieces, The Outsides is (you guessed it) an adaptation of the S.E. Hinton coming-of-age novel about class conflict between a group of working class teenage "Greasers" and the more affluent "Socials". The film famously launched the careers of just about every hot actor of the 1980s, including Tom Cruise, Patrick Swayze, Matt Dillon, Emilio Estevez, Rob Lowe, and Ralph Macchio, as well as a teenage Diane Lane. Though it didn't create the same Awards Season buzz and accolades as his other movies on this list, it still stands out for its raw portrayal of socio-economic disparities. (Available on VOD/Digital)

At 86 years old, Francis Ford Coppola continues to make movies and stay in the cinematic conversation. He famously self-financed his most recent movie, last year's Megalopolis, which received mixed reviews but was noted for its stunning ambitiousness. All these decades later, FFC is still the talk of the town!