About the Exhibition

The Art of Moviemaking: The Godfather features a wide array of original objects from The Godfather (1972) and The Godfather Part II (1974), offering an exciting glimpse into the process of making a masterpiece. Director Francis Ford Coppola’s interpretation of Mario Puzo’s popular novel provided an operatic and poignant reflection on the American dream, making the films an instant phenomenon that not only radically transformed the moviegoing experience, but also moviemaking in the 1970s. From costumes to props to scripts and equipment, these materials—many on view for the first time—highlight the contributions of several cinematic branches, and how they innovated amid the changing landscape of Hollywood.

The Art of Moviemaking: The Godfather is located on Level 2 of the Stories of Cinema exhibition and is curated by Associate Curator Sophia Serrano with support from former Curatorial Assistant Esme Douglas and in collaboration with Paramount Pictures and American Zoetrope.