When it became a phenomenon and Coppola came calling again for the sequel, Chianese couldn't refuse and became Hyman Roth's right hand man Johnny Ola. Not only do they naturally owe a debt of gratitude to Coppola's masterpieces, but to their casting director too, as both have employed some of the same talented actors from the three films into their own masterworks. Martin Scorsese called the original 'an epic Hollywood picture, an old‐fashioned movie - in the good sense - like 'Gone With the Wind,' only better,' while 'Part III' actor Joe Mantegna has said, 'For a guy like me, 'The Godfather' was the Italian 'Star Wars'.' One film and one television series that followed in its wake - Scorsese's 'Goodfellas' and David Chase's 'Sopranos' (which he said was 'a mob show about the first generation of people who were influenced by the movies about the mob') - are the closest things to match the brilliance of the 'Godfather' films. The trilogy has had a major influence on cinema, television, and culture ever since their release. While the third installment from 1990 was much derided, it still was nominated for seven Academy Awards, and Coppola's recent re-edited cut has found more receptive audiences and admiration.

Taken as a pair, the two 'Godfather' films are considered among the greatest of all time.

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