Francis Ford Coppola is an American film director, producer, and screenwriter. His success’s include such films as The Godfather and The Conversation. He has a tendency to cast family members in his films, and helped his daughter Sofia Coppola go on to direct films herself, and helped his nephew Nicholas Cage into stardom. Coppola made great strides in the Gangster film genre, and was highly successful in the 1970’s. Coppola is also associated with war films, and is associated with multiple highly successful war films. Coppola is one of only eight filmmakers to win two Palme d’Or awards. Coppola is also the second director ever to be awarded three times for the same film. Francis Ford Coppola’s films can often be described as vivid and artistic in their style. Coppola is a gifted screenwriter, and won multiple Oscar’s including those for Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Picture, and Best Director. In 1998 he was awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award by the Directors Guild of America. In 1969, Coppola and George Lucas cofounded the independent film production company American Zoetrope. George Lucas has stated that he based the character Han Solo from Star Wars on Coppola.
We’ve compiled a list of our top 10 Francis Ford Coppola films. Did yours not make the list? Tell us in the comments below.
Photo Courtesy of Wikimedia Commons
[ new page = 10: Jack ]
Coming in at number 10 is Coppola’s Jack. The film stars Robin Williams as a boy with a rare disease that causes him to age at an extremely accelerated rate. While slightly dark and trying to balance comedy and melodrama, the film is really very sad. If you’re able to get past the flaws off the film, it is at its center a very emotional and thoughtful production.
[ new page = 9: The Great Gatsby ]
At number 9 comes the 1974 film, The Great Gatsby. While Coppola didn’t direct the film, he did write the screenplay. The film is based on F. Scott Fitzgerald’s 1925 novel. The film stars Robert Redford and Mia Farrow in the leading roles of Jay Gatsby and Daisy Buchanan. The film received a multitude of awards, including two Academy awards and a BAFTA Award for Best Cinematography. The film was beautifully and artistically shot, and Farrow played a perfect Daisy Buchanan.
[ new page = 8: Peggy Sue got Married ]
Next at number 8 we have Peggy Sue Got Married. Coppola directed the film in 1986. The film features then unknown stars such as Nicholas Cage, and Jim Carrey in one of his first acting roles. Nominated for three academy awards including Best Cinematography, the film follows Peggy Sue who travels back in time to her days in High School. While ultimately making the same choices, the film is comedic and heartwarming.
[ new page = 7: The Outsiders ]
Francis Ford Coppola’s The Outsiders comes in at number 8. The 1983 drama is an adaptation of S. E. Hinton’s novel of the same name. One of the greatest “teen” films of all time, it follows two rival gangs in Tusla, Oklahoma. The film was one of the first to star members of the “Brat Pack”, such as Emilio Estevez and Rob Lowe.
[ new page = 6: Patton ]
At number 6 is the iconic biographical war film, Patton. While not directed by Coppola, it was another film for which he wrote the screenplay. Released in 1970, the film was chosen for preservation in the United States Film Registry in 2003. The films opening monologue, in which General Patton (played by George C. Scott) delivers a speech before a giant American Flag is behind him, remains one of the most recognizable scenes in film.
[ new page = 5: Apocalypse Now ]
At number 5 is another war film, Apocalypse Now. The film was directed and produced by Coppola in 1979. With big names Marlon Brando and Martin Sheen, the film was a widespread success, nominated for the Academy Award for best picture. The film is an epic Vietnam tale, and won two Academy Awards and three Golden Globes among other honors.
[ new page = 4: The Conversation ]
The Conversation comes in at number 4. The film is one that has been preserved in the United States National Film Registry as being “culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant”. It was written, directed, and produced by Francis Ford Coppola. The film was nominated for three academy awards, but lost Best Picture in 1974 to The Godfather PartII, which was also directed by Coppola.
[ new page = 3: Bram Stoker’s Dracula ]
Breaking into the top three is Bram Stoker’s Dracula. The film features a star cast including Gary Oldman as Count Dracula, Winona Ryder, Anthony Hopkins, and Keanu Reeves. Admittedly Reeves performance leaves a lot to be desired, but the film as a whole is a masterpiece.
[ new page = 2: The Godfather ]
At number 2 is 1972’s The Godfather. Probably the most revered gangster movie, the film is ranked behind Citizen Kane as one of the greatest films of all time. Coppola both directed and co-wrote the screenplay, and the film won the Academy Award for best Adapted Screenplay. Coppola was also nominated for the Best Director award.
[ new page = 1: The Godfather Part II ]
Finally, at number 1, we have The Godfather Part II. Both the film and it’s original have been reserved in the U.S National Film Registry. The film won six Oscars, and was the first sequel to win the Academy Award for Best Picture. While the film didn’t make more money than the original, critics argue that The Godfather Part II is the superior of the two films. The film features a split dramatic narrative, standing as both a sequel and prequel to the original The Godfather.