This book is a treasure trove for film buffs. I think I've found the movies equivalent of the 33 1/3 series.

The way that Lewis intersperses technical details is masterful. As I read the book. I learned not only about the inner life of Michael Corleone, but also how different filming choices led the viewer down the path Coppola wanted to put them on. Terms such as chiaroscuro we're unknown to me previously, but I instantly remembered how the movie employed the technique when it was explained. The atmosphere of the Godfather Part II is one of the reasons it's a classic, and a big part of that was Coppola's imagination and creativity.

Putting the cultural context around Italian mobsters also introduced angles I'd never seen before. In my previous viewings, I never thought much about Hyman Roth. But Lewis puts his importance to the plot on display. Roth is a strategist, much like Michael. But he's near the end, while Michael is still ascending. The mirrors in their world views are so apparent when they're analyzed. It makes me want to watch the movie again ASAP.

I recommend this book to anyone who loves movies or pop culture.

Interesting introduction talking about how the sequel and it's casting came about, followed by an in depth exploration of the film, interspersed with insight and bits of film gossip. Not quite the critique of the film that I may have expected but a good read nonetheless. Would be of particular interest to filmmakers but definitely only read if you've seen the film!

With thanks to netgalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

For fans of The Godfather films and Sicily, this book was full of behind the scenes gossip, Illustrated with photographs of original places where filming took place plus stills from the films, I read this on kindle so may have worked better in the actual book because of the pictures. Fascinating background to the film and the writer. Thank you #NetGalley for the book to review.

In many ways, this is the most simplistically structured BFI Film Classic I have read. Bar an intro which doesn't have to work hard to justify the film's inclusion in the canon, and a short chapter that details its production (and Copolla's position and attempt to create a new studio structure) the majority of the book slips its analysis within a pretty detailed scene by scene synopsis of the film. I initially though it was just doing the opening, but it soon becomes clear that this choice traps the monograph into a certain kind of analysis - themes are tackled as they appear in the film which sometimes means other overarching ideas in the film are given short shrift.

A good example is how the film deals with its poor female representation. Diane Keaton gets one big monologue here, which is rightly discussed at length, whilst Talie Shire Connie flits in and out of the film. Lewis probably spends more time discussing Shire as an actress than Connie's role in the films (she is admittedly a lot more important in Part 1), and yet because hers and Keaton's important moments don't turn up until the end of the film, this discussion feels relegated as an afterthought. But I suppose my main issue was that these monographs are short, circa 20,000 words, and about half of that here it feels is spent physically describing and telling the story of the film. Its a deep dive, and structurally pure method that feels unusual because it has the air of book report about it. I learnt things from the early pre-production part, and lots of interesting tidbits were teased out in the main body of the book, but I felt the structure didn't eventually help the argument.

A tremendous in depth look at The Godfather, Part II. This volume is easy to read and gives a nice balance of historical context and analysis of the film itself. A must read for any true fan of the Godfather series.

Thank You very much for allowing me to read this book. The detail is astonishing and it gives a greater understanding of one of the greatest films of its genre. Very easy to read and digest.

I have recently developed an appreciation for “The Godfather, Part II” having previously dismissed it as being overlong, overblown and unworthy of the vast praise heaped upon it, so Jon Lewis’ book couldn’t have arrived at a better time.
The BFI’s Film Classics are short but deep studies of celebrated movies and, apart from a few clunkers, are always thought-provoking and scholarly. Lewis’ concise dissection begins at the beginning after the release of “The Godfather” and Marlon Brando’s infamous Oscar acceptance/refusal speech read out by Native American Sacheen Littlefeather, followed by a concise critique of the movie’s plot and continues through TG2’s conception, release and legacy.
The book is illustrated with archive photos, film stills and behind the scenes shots, many of which highlight Coppola’s extravagant wardrobe. There is also a wealth of background information, quotes, insider gossip and movie business secrets, much of it new to me, and the book is a brisk, captivating read.