The Godfather is the embodiment of a classic movie.  If we movie lovers come together, we can watch it at the Egyptian Theatre where it originally screened in Boise 40 years ago!   So, why should you see the Godfather on June 14th? Here are five solid reasons to grab tickets by this Friday, June 8:

5. Social literacy

The Godfather has one of the most commonly referenced plot lines and scripts in all of American film.  You’ll see the origin of dozens of references you already know, including:

• “I’m going to make him an offer he can’t refuse”
• …sleeps with the fishes.
• Go to the mattresses
• A Mo Green special
• Creative uses for horse heads

4. See the film that single-handedly saved Paramount Studios

Paramount was on the brink of bankruptcy in 1972.  The Godfather turned everything around, becoming the highest grossing film of all time (a title that previously belonged to Gone with the Wind), and the first movie in history to gross more than $100M at the box office. The studio went on to bring us Serpico, Indiana Jones, the Star Trek movies, Top Gun and hundreds more movies we love.

3.  Watching the Godfather is like reading a book

The Godfather is a thick movie. Even at three hours, it leaves you wanting more at the end.  The scenes patiently unfold, the characters develop gracefully through observation not narration, some scenes are there strictly for their aesthetic.  It sets the bar for film storytelling, even today.

2. Critical acclaim

The Godfather is one of the best movies ever made, period. Upon its release, it won three Oscars: Best Picture, Best Actor (Marlon Brando), and Best Screenplay. And the cast is unbeatable. Al Pacino was nobody until he played Michael Corleone in the Godfather.  Brando was the master of method acting and nowhere is that mastery better showcased than in the character of Vito Corleone. Robert Duvall as the cunning, cool-headed consigliere, James Caan as the reckless heir apparent, Diane Keaton as the voice of the outsider. The Godfather is Hollywood at its best.

1. The Egyptian Theatre

The Egyptian is Boise’s last standing independent, single screen theater that was built to be a theater.  It’s a *real* movie theater like we remember going to growing up.  It has the giant marquis, the grid of lights in the entry way, the single-window box office, and the huge amphitheater.  It’s a magical place to watch a movie.

When the Godfather was first released 40 years ago, it was shown at the Egyptian.  We can recreate that magical night at the movies, and add to it our favorite beer or wine. The Egyptian is one of our city’s treasures, and we can use it for its original purpose: to watch great movies!

Tickets close on Friday, June 8.  We need to hit the tipping point of 250 tickets by then to make make the screening a go; right now, about 60 tickets have moved.  It’s up to all of us to spread the word that classic movies have returned to the Egyptian!