Having watched the first two films of The Godfather over consecutive weeks, I have to say they are both great exemplars of cinema. Personally, I preferred the first, with its linear plot and character arc. Al Pacino in the first one is absolutely compelling (as is Robert de Niro in the second). The second one is more subtle, making you think more which is enjoyable in itself. However, aside from a youthful Vito Corleone, the anti-heroes of the first instalment become outright villains here, making it harder to sympathise with them though at least you understand their credible transformations. This is not to detract from its art though. Each of them is a masterpieces of the 1970s.