Der Pate 2

The Godfather Part II is the finest sequel ever made and sits alongside the original Godfather as the two best films ever made. The film is divided into two main parts - the story of a young Vito Corleone (flawlessly acted by Robert De Niro) and the rise to power of Michael Corleone as the head of the family.

Francis Coppola collaborated with many of the crew members of the first film and again achieves a quite superb period piece thanks to the cinematography of Gordon Willis and set design of Dean Tavoularis. The acting performances are outstanding; notably from Lee Strasberg (Hyman Roth), Michael Gazzo (Frank Pentangeli) and Robert De Niro (young Vito Corleone).

Duvall, Keaton, Cazale and Shire all provided first rate performances but it is the performance of Al Pacino which steals the show, expertly portraying Michael as a cool, calculating, suspicious Don Corleone. The film expands upon the original movie and brings us into the family's activities in Nevada, Florida and Havana.

Along with The Godfather, this is a cinematic masterpiece with the greatest ensemble acting you will ever see.