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Leave the Gun, Take the Cannoli

The Epic Story of the Making of The Godfather

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Leave the Gun, Take the Cannoli

By: Mark Seal
Narrated by: Phil Thron
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About this listen

This “wickedly pacey page-turner” (Total Film) unfurls the behind-the-scenes story of the making of The Godfather, 50 years after the classic film’s original release.

The story of how The Godfather was made is as dramatic, operatic, and entertaining as the film itself. Over the years, many versions of various aspects of the movie’s fiery creation have been told - sometimes conflicting, but always compelling. Mark Seal sifts through the evidence, has extensive new conversations with director Francis Ford Coppola and several heretofore silent sources, and complements them with colorful interviews with key players including actors Al Pacino, James Caan, Talia Shire, and others to write “the definitive look at the making of an American classic” (Library Journal, starred review).

On top of the usual complications of filmmaking, the creators of The Godfather had to contend with the real-life members of its subject matter: the Mob. During production of the movie, location permits were inexplicably revoked, author Mario Puzo got into a public brawl with an irate Frank Sinatra, producer Al Ruddy’s car was found riddled with bullets, men with “connections” vied to be in the cast, and some were given film roles.

As Seal notes, this is the tale of a “movie that revolutionized filmmaking, saved Paramount Pictures, minted a new generation of movie stars, made its struggling author Mario Puzo rich and famous, and sparked a war between two of the mightiest powers in America: the sharks of Hollywood and the highest echelons of the Mob.”

“For fans of books about moviemaking, this is a definite must-read” (Booklist).

©2021 Mark Seal. All rights reserved. (P)2021 Simon & Schuster, Inc. All rights reserved.
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What listeners say about Leave the Gun, Take the Cannoli

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A truly remarkable story about the making of a truly remarkable movie.

A wonderful listening experience with an excellent naration. If you love movies then you will adore this book!

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Superb

In depth, accessible, well narrated. Exactly what a book of this genre should be. Can’t recommend it highly enough.

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2 people found this helpful

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A Book You Shouldn't Refuse

Just loved every second of this fascinating, meticulously researched account of a perfect film. BADA-BOOM!

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Fascinating

Makes me want to immediately reread the book and rewatch the film, brilliant book and performance.

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Bada-bing

If you like the Godfather ..you’ll love this insight into the making of perhaps one of the best films ever made 👌🏼

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An audiobook you can’t refuse

Truly fantastic. I could listen to this all day. Rich, interesting and utterly compelling. Narration is great too. The full package. Wow.

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Perfect.

A blow by blow account of the making of GF1.
Was it going to be a turkey? Was it going to be one of the best movies ever made? Was Coppola going to wind up insane?
The scale of the GF1 project was overwhelming from the start, it was never going to be an easy shoot. But add the in-fighting, the over-runs, the studio negativity etc, and it becomes an almost impossible feat.
But they pulled it off big-time, against all odds. And this book documents this journey in great detail.
I found this book exciting and fascinating from start to finish, a story well told and well researched, really good narration.
2/3rds through this book I was inspired to watch the movie again, probably for the 6th ot 7th time.
It came up fresh, definitely enhanced by this book.
Watch the Coppola restoration version if you are inspired to watch it. So beautiful.
A brilliant movie, one brilliant book.

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Great insight into the making of a masterpiece

Hard to stop listening to this. Full of interesting facts, and background information which makes the movie even more of a draw to watch. Every charcter has a story behind their getting the part, every scene has a story as to it's conception. Any fan of the movie should listen.

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Silver not quite gold

Its good and hard to say where to improve. Clearly written with a viewpoint that benefits some at the expense of others. I fount the story and the various tangents interesting but there is a bit too much pandering to the giant egos of the actors

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Very well researched

A very worthy book about the greatest film ever made.
Great performance and the book is so well researched.

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