PEARL begins a short series of Francis Ford Coppola films with the Daddy of them all The Godfather, the director's everyday story of Mafia folk (horse heads in the bed, brains in the fettucini, etc), which is, quite simply, one of the best movies ever made.
Made in 1971, The Godfather (Pearl 9.30pm, Original Running Time 175 mins) is a moody, murky and murderous film portraying the insidious rise of the criminal cartel which would become the most powerful in the US. The film, which closely followed Mario Puzo's book, chronicles this rise from within one family, the Corleones, led by puff-cheeked, gravel-voiced Marlon Brando.
The Corleones' resurgence as a power in the Mob is paralleled by Al Pacino's transformation from white sheep of the family to full-blown bad guy and new Godfather. Strangely, it was Marlon Brando who won Best Actor Oscar for his shrewd rasping Don - eventhough soft-voiced Pacino is far more riveting in his increasingly ruthless role.
But then the acting throughout is flawless: stand-outs being James Caan as Sonny, Robert Duvall as the consiglieri and Diane Keaton as Pacino's wife.
This was Coppola's first attempt at the pulse-quickening technique of cross-cutting religious ceremony with blood-soaked massacre, a style he would use to lesser effect in the two sequels. His efforts also brought The Godfather Oscars for Best Picture and Best Screenplay.
Trivia File: The baby in the movie's big christening scenes is none other than director's daughter Sofia Coppola who in 1990 would star (ineffectively) in The Godfather III. ROBIN Parke and SCMP Racing Editor Lawrence Wadey are in the starting gates again, ready for the off on another season of Racing Night Live (World 8.30pm) broadcast every Wednesday from Happy Valley.
They'll be attempting to separate the wonder horses from the also-rans, as well as carrying out the post mortems on each event. Live coverage has been extended to take in the third race.