JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure creator, Hirohiko Araki, commented on The Godfather film, which is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year. The film initially premiered in the United States on March 14, 1972. It released in Japan on July 15, 1972.
Araki’s Comment
Undoubtedly one of the best movies ever made. How many times have I watched it already? Each time I watch it as I grow older, I begin to understand the reality it depicts. But for the nearly 3 hour run time of the movie, I even think that I would like to be together with these mafia families in the same time period. Everything was in good taste; the music, the shoes, the shape of the window frames in the rooms, the small glasses of liquor they drink, the backyard where they play with their grandchildren, they’re all nice.
Hirohiko Araki
Araki’s Favorite Scene in the Trilogy
When Sonny, the eldest son, accidentally gives a glimpse of his thoughts to the rival family after his father, Vito, tried to change the atmosphere by offering a small glass of alcohol. The relationship between father and son, the eldest son’s personality, the upcoming attack after this, and fate are all deeply connected.
Hirohiko Araki
Others have commented on the movie as well:
- Koki Mitani (Japanese screenwriter and film director)
- Yuko Yuzuki (Novelist)
- Masayoshi Yokoyama (Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio Writer / Executive Producer)
Source: Paramount Japan Official Website
The Godfather 50th Anniversary Screening Trailer
About The Godfather
The Godfather is a trilogy of American crime films directed by Francis Ford Coppola. He co-wrote the screenplay with Mario Puzo, who wrote the 1969 novel of the same name which the films are based on. The films chronicle the trials of the fictional Italian American mafia Corleone family, whose patriarch, Vito Corleone, rises to prominence. Vito is eventually succeeded by Michael Corleone, his youngest son. Paramount Pictures distributed the films, which were released in 1972, 1974, and 1990. Coppola and Puzo discussed creating a fourth film, but it was canceled.
In commemoration of the 50th anniversary, the films are receiving a special screening in Japan for three days at Toho Cinemas from February 25 to 27, 2022. Paramount Pictures is also releasing a 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray remaster with a thorough restoration under Coppola’s supervision. It releases on March 22, 2022 in America and three days later on March 25 in Japan.
About Hirohiko Araki
Araki is a manga artist from Sendai, the capital city of Miyagi Prefecture, Japan. JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure is his most successful series being in serialization for nearly 35 years and highly regarded internationally. The story is divided into eight parts, with the ninth part just announced last August.
In the JOJO A-GO!GO! art book released in 2000, Araki ranked The Godfather series as #4 in his list of top ten most watched films. The Great Escape, Jaws, and Dawn of the Dead (1978) ranked in his top three. In addition, Araki referenced The Godfather several times in JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure, with some backstories and scenes inspired by the series. The fifth part of the JoJo series, Golden Wind, also revolves around the mafia.
