Francis Coppola's Notebook on 'The Godfather' 

Coppola's Godfather notebook should be published by Taschen as a facsimil. Priceless for anyone who's into movies in general.

Coppola noting "pitfalls" for the film and basically every scene shows you how self-disciplined and self-critical he was. An invaluable practice for any director.

The "Studio" didn't want Pacino or Brando and they wanted it in 1970's Kansas City. Shows you what Studio Executives know.

Wow, his notebook, works and writing a script based on a book you love... is even beyond writing a PhD thesis.

I've now caught a glimpse into exactly how hard a normal person has to sweat to become a legend. Coppola is a true genius.

You know how sometimes someone is just perfectly born and destined to do something? Coppola was born to direct, thank God he figured that out.

I can’t believe my emotions was being manipulated so carefully in that shooting scene in the restaurant .. now I get it.

What a genius, Jesus thats a lot of work

Absolutely incredible. Keep in mind he was in his early 30's when he co-wrote the screenplay and directed the movie.

Detail , Detail, Detail.

PURÉ GENIUS! Evidence that great things happen when we pay attention to the DETAILS

Please release that book for free for the betterment of humanity. We need more directors like this.

I think it's great how much Coppola respected Mario and the book in preparing the movie. Mario was with him throughout and Francis let Puzo edit lines and scenes if he felt it shud be changed. A great partnership!

I would expect this with most writers, cinematographers or directors but apparently not. No wonder this film was so revolutionary and iconic. The lengths this man went to in ensuring the depiction of the book was as accurate as possible captivating every character and aspect. The notebook not only speaks volumes in work and effort but also the detail in which the film was written, revisiting ideas that could improve or decrease the films quality. This is a lesson for all passionate filmmakers and writers a like. Not for making any old big blockbuster piece of garbage thought up in a staff room full of C grade writers. Real passionate and determined writers who think of stories and films as iconic and cultural as The Godfather.

Kubrick and Coppola are detailed film makers

Francis Coppola is a genius bottom line. he didn't have enough money and power to crack the system but he tried. he's one of my artistic heroes. GF2, Apocalypse Now, and the Conversation are masterpieces, them alone were enough to solidify him as one of the greats of our time.

notice how he went above and beyond for the film...the writing, self analyzation of scenes, the markers and how excited he got about certain scenes. look what it led him to...one of the most iconic films

there is infinite genius in his approach, great vid!

This man is a genius, totally talented and ahead of his time. Bravo 🎉

The greatest thing that Coppola and Puzo did with the script was to identify the spine of the story and leave absolutely everything else out. The most perfect book adaptation ever.

What a legend... he directed The Godfather: Parts I & II, The Conversation and Apocalypse Now within 10 years of each other. Coppola reigned supreme over the 70s.

Wow! I could listen to Francis for hours and never get bored! He is a master filmmaker whose attention to detail is spellbinding!

Absolutely Essential Insights for ANY ARTIST

I love that he is so pleased with his very down-to-earth process. What a great creator he is.

I love Francis Ford Coppola's personality he is very very down-to-earth and he did never change he is a lovable man

Pure genius. Just pure genius. I believe that is how films shall be done, with careful studying of the story, notes, re-reading and only then typing "FADE OUT".

The Notebook, by Francis Ford Coppola.

this is ingenious, the way he made audience think in that scene where Michael kills Sollozo and McCluskey

That book is so valuable!

One of the greatest film director of all time.

I'm in the middle of writing my PhD thesis right now but struggling for inspiration. This video has just given me the motivation to get back to my desk and write! Amazing work and incredible attention to detail. It's no accident he's one of the greatest directors in history.

It is absolutely fascinating to have Coppola, one of the old masters who has arguably made two of the greatest films ever made, take you into the "engine room" of his film making - it is a revelation to know that he had a "Godfather Bible" which he created and used to fill in all of the blanks left by the script. Brilliant stuff.

It's fun to read the comments saying "please, please release this!" because of course now it is available and it is glorious. Thank you, Francis!

Coppola’s notes on the Vaginal surgery chapter: “No”.

Francis is so skilled it's humbling. OMG the prep he did. Overwhelming!

This is genius. He really knew it inside out. I'd love to see one on Apocalypse Now or Dracula.

Brilliant Legend! I would die to have that notebook !!!!!

Thank you for making the 2 greatest movies of all time.

Fascinating... the nuts and bolts of the making of a masterpiece. Detail, detail and more detail. That's what makes it happen.

This book is coming out on Nov 16, 2016

Makes total sense why I’ve been watching this movie for over 20 years and find several new things each time I watch it. Coppola’s attention to detail is unrivaled here.

That is a priceless interview. Wow, just in those 10 minutes 13 seconds, such a masterful way of teaching. Learning how to construct those notes by putting that paper around the book and the grommets. He is a master of not just his own thoughts, but also of other screen writers and authors.

Thank you Mr.Coppola for the greatest movie of all time.👏🏼

Greatest filmmaker to me. 1: Francis Ford Copola 2: Stanley Kubrick 3: Alfred Hitchcok 4: Orson Welles 5: Martin Scorsese 6: Steven Spielberg 7: Quentin Tarantino 8: Christopher Nolan 9: Akira Kuroswana 10: George Lucas I'm not putting them in order for who I like more, it's the order that I think is correct. But hey it's just my opinion.

I only got to know Coppola from these RU-vid interviews, but I have become such a fan and admirer of his. He is humble and brilliant, and a wonderful artist. Thank you for this!

coppola is a genius. this is incredible. his attention to detail is awesome.

Amazing director.

Very impressive! Real love of the craft.

An incredibly valuable and interesting piece of film making history.

Hopefully that book will be preserved until the end of time

Wow! What a masterclass of script research!

Now that's how you truly adapt a book into a film!

very inspirational indeed!

The Michelangelo of cinema. EPIC.

Men like these don't need no computers, CGI, Technical mumbo jumbo....a good old fashioned non-digital reel sony pan vision camera and the rest is just pure skill...its gets crafted into timeless classic..simply serene screenplay and cinematogrophy. Dont recall any other movie showing rural Sicily so beautifully. One look and you want to go there and walk around those mountains, deserted villages. That Appolonia is a beauty, greek godess!

I was so excited to find a paper back book, documenting the day by day location shots, and the work that was done, real locations,etc. they even had the recipe for the blood used in the horse head in the bed / Hollywood scene.. wish I still had this book ! I think it was called, “ the filming of The Godfather “ or “ behind the scenes “ something like that..

this is the most important film school video ever for sure core and pitfalls are so good

I first saw this piece on a DVD extras disk in a Godfather set. Mind blown. This was the first time that I truly appreciated what the work of making a movie was. The performances in this movie were great because Coppola attended to the nuances of each and every performance.

He directs with passion, who else can compare?

pure. gold.

Wonderful video. Could watch Coppola discuss Godfather movie all day long. Thanks

I am very happy to see that another director has done this before me.

Art... Simply a mastermind. I'm consumed by the detail.

Amazing craftwork

this is SO interesting to me because its very inspiring to know that an experienced director like Coppola broke down even some of the simplest things of the scene. It just shows how even an expert likes to operate. very inspiring.

Thanks for uploading! Priceless

amazing level of commitment to work...

This is almost a masterclass for anyone who is adapting literature to film. Most adaptations are a mess, and I’m convinced a lot of directors do little more than glance at the source material. That’s the difference you get with Coppola and others of his quality, of which there are few.

One person left the cannoli and took the gun.

The process of the creation of art. GF, top 5 greatest movies of all time.

Good god the detail in this is absolutely amazing and is making me fall in love with filmmaking all over again.

one of the best youtube videos i watched in a long time

A masterclass. Really remarkable man. The details alone! ❤️ that’s how you research

Very Cool Idea for Coppola or keep track of the ideas that that stuck out to him!

1970s. Prompt book. 2010s. Just CGI it.

Truly inspiring

Just amazing. Thank you so much. Namaste.

That book must be worth millions now

i know i'm just repeating what everyone else is saying and this will only be seen by people who have watched the video, but this is just terrific

BRILLIANT information...

Impressive and Informative. Great attention to detail.

Thank you so so much for this!

wow...that was interesting!! wish there was more...

Thanks for uploading This.

Could listen to Coppola talk about this film and its sequels for hours!

Proof that this masterpiece was no accident but a true heroic climb by the great Coppola

It goes to show, it all comes down to preparation. That's what I learned in my directing classes, and on sets working with Sidney Lumet. Do your homework.

Amazing, thank you

Every director making a novel adaptation should be required to make a notebook like this.

Wow, I believe he did the same for Apocalypse Now

Some people are born with it. In music too .

this almanac is the handy work of Coppola, he really fought for his art and his vision. Fought for Pacino, fought for so many other things for Brando... He really believed in his art form and it really paid off

what it takes to create one of the most respected films ever

WOW! , WOW ! ... WOW ! What a genius

film school 101

Thank you for the tips

Wow, great video

This is gold.

My God, he has his own way of making organize notations of his craft, VERY IMPRESSIVE. This notations could be reproduce as is in a GOOD PACKAGING for REFERENCE in film directing.🙂🙂🙂🙂

Wait, are you saying to become a genius, you actually have to do hard work? But seriously, this is amazing.