The Godfather and its first sequel are both regarded as classics, but there's always been a debate over which of the two is superior. While both are often listed among the best movies of all time, they each have their own strengths and focuses, which means that audiences can make up their own minds about which one they prefer.

The Godfather still holds up today, as does Part II. Although the third movie, released 16 years later, has never been as popular, it didn't damage the immaculate legacy of the original two movies. Despite their clear differences, there may never be a winner in the ongoing debate over The Godfather and The Godfather Part II.

10 Part I - Marlon Brando's Oscar-Winning Performance Has Gone Down In History

The Godfather Is Arguably Brando's Finest Hour

Marlon Brando was already a Hollywood legend by the time he signed on to make The Godfather, but his performance as Vito Corleone is arguably his greatest and most iconic. He brings a potent mix of menace and sincerity to the role, with a hint that there's much more going on behind his eyes than he likes to let on.

Despite his limited screen time, Brando won the Oscar for Best Actor.

The cast of The Godfather is stacked with acting greats, but only the first movie has Brando's performance as Corleone. Despite his limited screen time, Brando won the Oscar for Best Actor. In of impact, it's hard to argue against this decision. His shadow looms large over the remaining two Godfather films.

9 Part II - Robert De Niro Shines As A Young Vito

Not Many Actors Could Have Followed Marlon Brando

Marlon Brando left some big shoes to fill, but Robert De Niro delivers a superb performance as a younger version of Vito Corleone in The Godfather Part II. He maintains a lot of Brando's mannerisms as Vito, such as his languid voice and his deliberate movements, while bringing his unique style to the character.

Without Brando or James Caan, The Godfather Part II could easily have lacked the kind of innate star power that runs throughout the first movie. While several other actors step up, De Niro's performance is also key, and he keeps the flashback sequences just as interesting as Michael's story.

8 Part I - The First Movie Has More Iconic Moments

Most Of The Godfather's Most Memorable Scenes And Quotes Come From The Original

The first Godfather movie has the majority of the franchise's most iconic moments and quotes, perhaps because it isn't burdened with the weight of continuing a story. Many of the best quotes from The Godfather come from the first movie, with Brando claiming several with his distinct voice as Vito.

Francis Ford Coppola's direction still provides highlights in Part II, but it's the first movie that has the horse's head in the bed, Vito's introduction at his daughter's wedding, the baptism sequence at the end, Sonny's death and more. Although Part II is longer, it doesn't squeeze in quite as many jaw-dropping moments.

7 Part II - Part II Presents A Gritter View Of Organized Crime

The Second Movie Corrects One Of The Common Criticisms Aimed At The Godfather

Although The Godfather was met with glowing reviews when it was first released, some critics accused it of glorifying the mafia. A lot of the Corleone family's grizzly work takes place off-screen, and there's a lot of ambiguity over how exactly they make their money at times.

The Godfather Part II has a bit more of an edge in the way that it portrays organized crime. In both Michael's story and Vito's rise to power, there's more violence, betrayal and sleazy political dealing. While the first movie often resembles a darkly absurd family drama, Part II peels back the curtain a little more.

6 Part I - Part I Tells A Perfectly Contained Story

Part II Requires Some Backstory To Really Enjoy

Although The Godfather Part II is a great film, someone could get a lot out of watching just the first movie. The Godfather tells a complete, self-contained story that doesn't immediately set up a sequel. It follows Michael's journey from wanting nothing to do with the family business to becoming the new Don Corleone after his father's death.

Part II is one of the best sequels ever made, but it still relies on the first movie in the same way that all sequels do. This means that for a newcomer to enjoy Part II, they also need to sit through the first movie. This isn't necessarily a drawback, but The Godfather can be appreciated by most people on a first watch without any further context, making it more accessible.

5 Part II - Part II Contrasts Michael's Story With Vito's Rise To Power

Michael And Vito's Stories Play Out Simultaneously

It's often said that watching The Godfather Part II can give someone a deeper appreciation of the first film, mostly becuase the inclusion of Vito's rise to power provides the perfect mirror to Michael's story in the first movie. The similarities and differences between the two men create a fascinating character study.

In Part II, Vito's rise to power is shown alongside Michael's fall from grace. Although Michael ends Part II by tightening his grip on power, he does so at the expense of his personal relationships. Vito would never kill his own brother and destroy his marriage, because family is what motivates him to do the violent and desperate things he does. This contrast is less pronounced in the first movie.

4 Part I - The Original Has A More Unpredictable Narrative

Part II Is A Little Easier To Anticipate

The Godfather is the kind of rare drama film that is genuinely hard to predict from beginning to end. There's no certainty that Michael will assume Vito's position, or that the entire narrative isn't a story of the Corleone family's downfall. There are also some shocking moments, like Vito's shooting and Apollonia's sudden death.

While Part II also maintains a lot of this unpredictability, the very fact that it's a sequel means that it's a little easier to suss out the broad strokes of the narrative. Of course, the flashbacks to Vito's story are also more predictable, even if the specifics are fascinating.

3 Part II - Fredo Is More Interesting In Part II

John Cazale Takes On A Bigger Role

The Godfather was John Cazale's first movie, and it kicked off a flawless run of five consecutive Best Picture nominees for the actor. Although his career was sadly cut short when he died at the age of 42, his performances in the Godfather movies survive as testaments to his skills as an actor. While Fredo is a relatively minor character in the first movie, he comes into his own in The Godfather Part II.

With Sonny and Vito gone, the relationship between Michael and Fredo takes on a whole new meaning. Fredo feels as if he's been ed over, and he eventually conspires against Michael and the rest of the family. Fredo isn't the only character with more importance in Part II, since Kay also takes on a new layer of complexity.

2 Part I - Part I Ends With A Flawless Final Shot

The Ending Wraps Up A Perfect Film

The Godfather saves one of its most powerful moments for the very end, and it ensures that the image of Kay being separated from Michael lingers in the mind. The The Godfather solidifies Michael's transition into a brutal Mafia leader, as he lies to both Connie and Kay about ordering the death of Connie's husband.

The Godfather Part II also has a memorable ending, especially as it uses a flashback to contrast Michael's reign as Don with life before the events of the first film. However, it's hard to replicate the symbolic power of the final shot in the first movie, which neatly ties up the entire sprawling narrative.

1 Part II - The Sequel Expands Its Scope

Part II Has Broader Concerns Than The Original

The first line of The Godfather sets out Francis Ford Coppola's notion that the film is an examination of America, but it's not until Part II that this idea really comes into focus. The sequel has a more ambitious scope than the original, using the parallel stories of Vito and Michael to expose some dark truths about America.

The Godfather Part II accesses some broader universal truths about the human experience.

As well as focusing on the political and the historical elements of the narrative, The Godfather Part II accesses some broader universal truths about the human experience. There are details of Michael's story which seem to be lifted directly from the Bible or the history of the Roman Empire, giving the story an epic quality that eclipses the first movie.