the godfather is a 1972 american crime movie directed by francis ford coppola. it is based on mario puzo's novel of the same name. mario puzo and francis ford coppola wrote the screenplay. its lead stars are marlon brando and al pacino. the movie is about the history of the corleone crime family. it takes the story up to michael corleone becoming crime boss in 1955. it is the first movie in "the godfather" trilogy.