After examining the opening scene of "The Godfather" (Dir. Francis Ford Coppola, 1972) discuss how the director engages and holds our attention.

                          The slow build up towards the actual visual image of Don Corleone adds tension to the scene. The desk separates the two characters and also acts as a barrier between them, this gives us the impression that, unless he chooses, he is untouchable. He sits listening to the plea whilst the men in the shadows watch and wait, guarding Don Corleone ready to do his bidding by a simple gesture. The audience is aware that the mere presence of this man commands respect. He simply moves his hand slightly and out of the shadows a character gives Bonasera a drink and then merges back into the shadows. At this point the audience would be in suspense wondering what Don Corleone’s reaction to the request will be. Also they would be eager to see what this character looks like.

                            When the mise-en-scene changes to reveal a view of the Godfather’s study the audience’s impression would have changed from the opening shot. It is now obvious that this is not simply one character speaking his thoughts aloud. It is not a character in a court scene pleading for a fair trial. It is a Sicilian asking a favour from a powerful fellow Sicilian because the so-called American justice has let him down. The study itself gives the feeling of opulence and the shuttered window and figures hidden in the shadows give the audience an uneasy, threatening feeling. It’s an almost claustrophobic feeling because everything is half hidden in shadow and there is a closed secretive air about the room, daylight is not allowed in and the characters speak quietly. It seems to be a private world within the house. Men standing silent in shadows would instil an uneasy feeling of fear in the audience.

                    One major theme that is revealed in this opening scene is the importance of the family. Don Corleone is granting favours because it his daughter’s wedding day. Bonasera is not satisfied with American justice and so decides to ask a fellow “family” member to help him find justice. Don Corleone sits at his desk with members of his family half hidden in the shadows around his room.

                      The power of the Godfather is shown in the opening scene, indeed he has the ultimate power, the power to say if a man should live or die. Bonasera asks for the  two men to be killed but the Godfather decides not to kill them but just to punish them for their deeds. He chooses the men to do it so that they won’t get carried away and murder them. This shows that he does have men who, if instructed, would murder others for him.

He grants people wishes because it is his daughter’s wedding day, this must mean that he has the power  and the means to do these favours for people. Minor actions in this scene also show the power of the Godfather such as a simple flick of the fingers and a drink is brought. When he stands up and moves around the room the men come out of the shadows and follow him, he grants the wishes and he gives the orders. He is calm and in control at all times he listens carefully and, when he feels ready he gives him a reply. He does not raise his voice but he remains in control throughout the scene.

                             Overall, the opening scene to “The Godfather” is very effective because it sets the tone for the rest of the play. We meet the main character who “pulls the strings.” It makes the viewer aware that there are two kinds of justice, firstly the American judicial system, which let Bonasera down, and the Mafia system of justice.