Pleasurable peek into the scriptwriting process

This short book by Coppola is about the writing of the script for the first Godfather movie. It stops short of the actual making of the film.

That's because, as Coppola tells us in the fascinating introduction, this nonfiction title is based on a notebook he created prior to writing the script. In the notebook, he divided the book by Mario Puzo into scenes. Then for each scene, he wrote down the core of that scene. What is this scene really about? He also looked at images that would be important to that scene and possible pitfalls to be aware of as writer/director. For example, not building up the happy mood that follows Don Corleone's homecoming from the hospital to contrast with the ensuing bad news about youngest son Michael.

Coppola reads the meaty introduction, detailing his history with the project and the script writing process, and then dictates a smattering of entries from his Godfather Notebook. Then Joe Mantegna comes in to read the dramatized rendering of the entry.

Mantegna, by the way, narrates a version of Puzo's The Godfather on Audible. Also on Audible, you can find an essay Puzo wrote in 1972 about the writing of The Godfather, the book's adaptation to film and his uncomfortable encounter with Frank Sinatra.

3 people found this helpful

It says unabridged but really just a snippet

Would you try another book from Francis Ford Coppola and/or Francis Ford Coppola and Joe Mantegna ?

Certainly Joe Mantegna. Coppola needs to stick to making wine and movies.

Would you be willing to try another book from Francis Ford Coppola? Why or why not?

Yes. He is one of the greats and The Godfather alone makes him a great director.

What about Francis Ford Coppola and Joe Mantegna ’s performance did you like?

Coppola OK. Mantegna has a great voice and is a professional unlike Coppola.

Did The Godfather Notebook inspire you to do anything?

It inspired me to buy the whole book.

Any additional comments?

Saying unabridged is deceptive.

2 people found this helpful

not enough!

what was included was excellent. However the exclusion of the films most important scene is extremely disappointing.

2 people found this helpful

Good but way to short

I really enjoyed this book, What there is of it. This is way to short for the price.

1 person found this helpful

Some interesting notes, but half is recycled

very few behind the scenes notes, and the ones Coppola gives you are surface deep and not terribly interesting. Half the book is Coppola reading the description of a scene, then the other half is recycling a clip of the same scene from The Godfather audio book read by Joe Mantegna. Honestly, it's not worth buying.

My only complaint is I wish it was longer

This books is about the process Coppola used in adapting Mario Puzo’s book into one of the best movies of all time. The physical book is, to a large extent, a picture book with set photos and photos of Coppola’s handwritten notes supplementing the text. Accordingly, this is just over an hour long, which is short for an audiobook. Still, I don’t regret spending an Audible credit on it: Coppola’s an excellent storyteller, and Joe Mantegna reading, for contrast, the completed script of scenes we’ve heard Coppola’s notes on, is amazing.

Interesting. Only Get it When Cheap

Was a pleasant hour. Starts off strong but peters out in an anticlimax. Just stick with the audiobook of The Godfather for maximum value.

excellent book

Loved the book learning about Francis's trials and tribulations in making the movie was great. I loved joe's reading every scene was amazing. A very good book

Teaches You The Battles To Get A Film Made

FFC walks you through, in his own voice, the steps it took to get the classic film made, from his own diary.

A good history and tech lesson for film makers.

A notebook you can't refuse.

Would you consider the audio edition of The Godfather Notebook to be better than the print version?

I can't say.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Of all the characters I like in the book, the one that stands out is Michael, because his character develops throughout the book.

Which scene was your favorite?

My favorite scene was the scene in which Michael shoots the cop, and Salotzo.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

I did. I wanted to hear what Coppola took from the book, and what he decided to change or totally ignore.

Any additional comments?

If you have scene the film, and want to listen to this note book for background information, I would also suggest that you purchase the godfather book, since you can hear portions in the notebook.