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The Godfather

(1972, Rated R, Drama, Starring Marlon Brando, James Caan, Al Pacino)
  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

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    Not age appropriate for kids under 15, age appropriate for kids over 16; suggested age 15.
  • Is it any good?

    5.0
  • Common Sense says

    The classic tale of a Mafia family. Not for kids.

Themes in this movie include:   family relationships
updated 10.09.09

Why We Rated This iffy for Ages 15–16

What to watch out for

  • Messages:

    Disobeying the law and murdering enemies is a necessary evil. All authority is corrupt.
  • Role models :

    Not too many characters you would want your kid emulating...
  • Violence:

    Numerous graphic murders, domestic fights, beatings.
  • Sex:

    Brief nudity (breasts), brief sex scene (fully clothed).
  • Language:

    A few curses, numerous racial slurs.
  • Consumerism:

    Not an issue.
  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking:

    Extensive use of alcohol and tobacco.
 

What Parents Need to Know

About The Godfather

Parents need to know this movie contains graphic violence. There are machine gun killings, brutal beatings, betrayals, blood. The murders are not unnecessarily gory or lengthy, but their startling abruptness and the expressions of horror on the victims' faces make these images unforgettable. The violence always has gravity. There is brief nudity and sex, and a few curse words. Children too young to see the violence in this film wouldn't be able to appreciate the intricacies of the plot and so would have no interest in the movie.

Did this review help you decide?

Families Can Talk About

  • Families can talk about whether or not they feel the level of violence in the movie is necessary.
  • When, if ever, it is okay to operate outside of a corrupt legal system? Do the ends justify the means?
  • What might lead an individual, or a group, to systematically disobey the law?
  • What makes this movie a classic?

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Our Members Say

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  • What did you think about The Godfather?
  •  I think this movie is

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See all 32 member reviews

Most Recent Reviews

  1. Teen Reviewer Age 14
    I rate this title iffy for age 15 and give it 5.0
    My concerns are:
    • Excessive violence
    • Inappropriate sexual content
    • Inappropriate language
    • Negative message
    • Negative role models

    Excellent Movie; Not for the Kiddies

    Ah, The Godfather. Probably one of my favorite movies all time. Of course I'm not a parent. A parent would probably find the violence alone to be too much for their child, and I admit, it is pretty brutal. Not just the actual gore, but the sheer violence and abruptness of it is what merits the "R" rating. While I did list language as a concern, obcene words are sporatic throughout the movie, and any teen should be able to deal with. There is also a single, brief topless scene in which sex is implied, but never shown. All in all, a classic film, but not for kids. Teens should be able to handle it, though.

  2. I rate this title iffy for age 9 and give it 5.0
    My concerns are:
    • Excessive violence
    • Inappropriate sexual content

    It's a mafia movie that is fairly violent. There is also a topless scene. Very little profanity. There are also mature themes but anyone over 12 should handle it fine

  3. Parent Reviewer
    Lives in Ohio
    I rate this title on for age 12 and give it 5.0
    My concerns are:
    • Excessive violence

    Great movie, Very Realistic Violence

    This movie has absolutely no nudity, but Michael is seen holding up a girl against a door, pushing her and she is moaning, they are fully clothed. The main thing to be worried about is the realistic violence. A character named Sonny is massacred at a tollbooth and blood is all over him and he is screaming. They are also bad role models, stealing, killing.

  4. Parent Reviewer
    Lives in Ohio
    I rate this title on for age 12 and give it 5.0
    My concerns are:
    • Excessive violence

  5. Adult Reviewer
    Lives in Tennessee
    I rate this title on for age 17 and give it 5.0
    My concerns are:
    • Negative message

    This is a great mafia movie. Filled with action, and makes you want to see part two. I believe that only 17 and up should see this because of the violence in it.

  6. Teen Reviewer Age 15
    Lives in Virginia
    I rate this title on for age 14 and give it 5.0
    My concerns are:
    • Negative message

    Good movie, bad role models

    Awesome mafia movie, a little violent for younger veiwers, but the best of it's kind. Can give bad role model for younger children though.The question is, would you want the kind of people in this movie hanging out with your kids?

  7. Teen Reviewer Age 14
    Lives in New Jersey
    I rate this title iffy for age 13 and give it 5.0

    If There was a billion star option, thats what I would give It

    I saw this for the first time a year and a half ago and i've seen it 5 times since. This is hands down the greatest movie I've ever seen. The acting is incredible and everything about it is as well. However, it is very violent, and has a brief seen of nudity. It is okay for anyone over 12 or 13 who is mature.

  8. Kid Reviewer Age 11
    I rate this title iffy for age 14 and give it 1.0

    lame

    boring as hell ( I dont care if it is a classic it is boring!!!)

  9. Parent Reviewer
    Lives in Minnesota
    I rate this title on for age 13 and give it 5.0

  10. Parent Reviewer
    Lives in Iowa
    I rate this title iffy for age 14 and give it 5.0

  11. Parent Reviewer
    Lives in Iowa
    I rate this title iffy for age 13 and give it 5.0

  12. Teen Reviewer Age 16
    Lives in Texas
    I rate this title iffy for age 16 and give it 1.0

    Complex, interesting, graphic violence

    After seeing this movie, it's clear to me why it's considered a classic. It's not among my favorites because it's just not my type of film, but I have to admit that it was an amazing movie. The story is complex and gives you a lot to think about, and all the actors are very good. This movie is way too violent for kids and younger teens - at one point I had to cover my eyes - but if you can deal with it, it's definitely worth seeing.

  13. Teen Reviewer Age 16
    I rate this title iffy for age 2 and give it 5.0

    Relentless Perfection

    First let me say that this is not my favorite movie of all time but, i must admit it is the best motion-picture ever definatly in my top 3. It's reely not that violent, let your kids watch this one, Mabey they'll learn a thing or two? even so, considering that it's the best movie ever made, Why not make an exeption?

  14. Teen Reviewer Age 15
    Lives in California
    I rate this title iffy for age 2 and give it 5.0

    This is classic and a must-see for everybody!

  15. Kid Reviewer Age 11
    Lives in Ohio
    I rate this title on for age 2 and give it 5.0

    should have been pg-13

    why r

  16. Kid Reviewer Age 12
    I rate this title iffy for age 2 and give it 5.0

    This is the best movie ever!!!

    There are no words to explain how good this movie was. I thought it would be sooooo violent but i guess i was wrong. The sex in this movie is not explicit. Marilin Brando played Vito Corleone, a criminal mastermind and the Don of the Corleone family. I just can't figure out how he made that soft and carring voice. I think he put cotton balls in his cheeks or something. Al Pacino played the young and serious Micheal Corleone, The son of Vito. My favourite line in this film is when Micheal is telling his girlfriend about how his father made someone an offer he couldn't refuse by pointing a gun to a mans head and saying "Either your signiture or your brains will be on this contract. In the end this isn't only one of the best mob movies of all time it is one of the best movies period.

  17. Teen Reviewer Age 15
    Lives in Delaware
    I rate this title iffy for age 2 and give it 5.0

    Stars times a MILLION

    WOW!!!!! This movie was amasing!!!!! Truelly one of the graitest movies of all time! If your 14+ you should definintly see this! But plese be careful thair is lots of blood and some talk of drugs, so young kids should stear clear beyond the first scean (witch every one can see) But by far THE BEST MOVIE!!!

  18. Teen Reviewer Age 15
    Lives in Indiana
    I rate this title iffy for age 2 and give it 5.0

    One of the Greatest movies of all time!!!!!!

    This is a great movie but it is very violent not any language that is really bad and brief female nudity and a fully clothed sex scene. don't miss it

  19. Teen Reviewer Age 17
    I rate this title on for age 2 and give it 5.0

  20. Adult Reviewer
    Lives in Washington
    I rate this title iffy for age 13 and give it 5.0

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