The Godfather At 50: An Empire Podcast Discussion Special

Explicit content warning

01/27/22 • 46 min

2 Listeners

We believe in America. And we also believe in Francis Ford Coppola's seminal classic, The Godfather, which turns 50 this year. In fact, we believe in it so much that we've only gone and put it on the cover of the brand-new issue of Empire (on sale now!), along with an exclusive interview with Coppola himself, as well as many of his key cast members. And, accordingly, we've decided to do a podcast in which we talk about The Godfather, and why it's still one of the greatest films of all time. So join Chris Hewitt, Nick de Semlyen, and Ian Freer for 45 minutes of chat about the film's amazing characters, visual style, themes, death scenes, and other memorable moments. And there are absolutely no terrible impressions of Marlon Brando. Well, ok, there's maybe the odd one or two or dozen. Enjoy!

Previous Episode

#498 — Guillermo del Toro, Jamie Dornan

2022 is only a few weeks old, but this week alone sees the release of two films that are almost certain to be up there come year's end: Guillermo del Toro's atmospheric noir, Nightmare Alley, and Kenneth Branagh's wonderfully warm childhood tale, Belfast. And we're delighted to be joined on this week's episode by del Toro, who chats with Chris Hewitt about doom, black-and-white, and Bradley Cooper's eyes; and Belfast star Jamie Dornan, who goes full Norn Iron with Helen O'Hara. Who, despite her protestations to the contrary, does thicken her accent for that interview, so she does. Then, in the podbooth, Chris and Helen are joined by James Dyer for an episode in which they talk about the legacy sequels they'd like to see, discuss the week's movie news, including the Moon Knight trailer and talk of a third Equalizer film, review Nightmare Alley, Belfast, A Journal For Jordan, and Mass, reveal more exciting details about our upcoming 500th episode, and can't tell the difference between their waking life... and dreams. Enjoy.

Next Episode

#499 — Alan Ritchson, Romola Garai

Reacher may say nothing, but thankfully Alan Ritchson -- the actor who steps into the shoes of Lee Child's man-mountain master detective, Jack Reacher, on a new Prime Video series called REACHER that launches on February 4 -- says plenty. He talks to Chris Hewitt this week, and tells him all about his audition for Reacher, acing Reacher's physicality, and what inspiration he drew from Child. Chris also has a natter this week with Romola Garai, the British actress who makes her directorial debut with the ultra-creepy horror film, Amulet. They talk about how Garai made the transition behind the camera, working with creature FX, and much more. Then, in the virtual podbooth, Chris is joined by Helen O'Hara, James Dyer, and Amon Warmann for a jam-packed episode in which they discuss the week's movie news (including a new Wallace & Gromit movie), review Amulet, Sing 2, Pedro Almodovar's Parallel Mothers, and Munich: The Edge Of War. Plus, the listeners' question this week will almost certainly see us get sued by the BBC. Not least for hesitation, repetition and deviation. Enjoy.