Hailed as the finest sequel ever crafted, the iconic crime drama The Godfather: Part II will grace BBC screens tonight.

Debuting two years after its predecessor, The Godfather: Part II serves as both a continuation and prequel to the original film. It delves into the life of Mafia boss Michael Corleone as he grapples with an assassination attempt and his role as the head of New York’s most notorious crime family.

Simultaneously, it traces the roots of Vito Corleone, from his humble beginnings in Sicily to his rise as a formidable figure in Hell’s Kitchen, New York, culminating in the establishment of his criminal empire.

The stellar cast sees Robert Duvall and Diane Keaton reprising their roles, with Robert De Niro making his debut as a young Vito Corleone. Released in 1974 under the masterful direction of Francis Ford Coppola, who also co-penned the script, the film was met with eager anticipation and, like the first instalment, garnered a slew of accolades.

It clinched seven Oscars out of 11 nominations, including Best Director for Coppola, Best Supporting Actor for De Niro, Best Adapted Screenplay for Coppola and Puzo – the author of the novel on which the film is based – and Best Picture, marking the first time a sequel has claimed this prestigious award, reports the Mirror.

Widely regarded as among the finest gangster films in cinema history, The Godfather: Part II earned recognition from the American Film Institute as the 32nd greatest film ever produced.

Upon its debut, American film critic Pauline Kael said: “The Godfather was the greatest gangster picture ever made, and had metaphorical overtones that took it far beyond the gangster genre. In Part II, the wider themes are no longer merely implied. The second film shows the consequences of the actions in the first; it’s all one movie, in two great big pieces, and it comes together in your head while you watch.”

The picture continues to command admiration from critics and audiences decades later, boasting an impressive 96 per cent score on Rotten Tomatoes, the film review platform. One reviewer wrote: “Pacino’s performance is like that of a simmering volcano, powerful through what is being withheld from the audience.”

A second added: “The finest example of when a sequel is superior to its predecessor. The Godfather Part II is one of the best films of all-time. A masterpiece. It’s that simple.”

Meanwhile, a third wrote: “Director Francis Ford Coppola furnished a fully-fashioned gangster melodrama in the first film: in this one he stretches his talent to encompass a genuine American tragedy.”

Admirers overwhelmingly echoed the glowing assessments. One fan wrote: “The Godfather Part II is not merely a sequel; it is the rare film that towers even higher than its perfect predecessor, a devastating, majestic double-epic that somehow manages to be both the greatest prequel and the greatest sequel ever made at the same time.”

Another devotee said: “A masterpiece and the greatest sequel to a film ever made. Without a doubt, the greatest achievement in the history of cinema.”

Whilst a third observer added: “No film has ever depicted how the sins of the father are passed on to the son as well as this poetic opera of a film. Excellent writing, directing, acting, cinematography and ending. It is a flawless film.”

The Godfather: Part II is on BBC2 at 10pm on December 29.

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