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Francis Ford Coppola is a famous American director, producer and screenwriter who had a very great influence on the development of foreign cinema.
It is always interesting which films have most influenced the work of this or that brilliant director: they allow you to better understand his own creative ideas.
In this article, we reviewed ten of Coppola’s favorite films.
10 Ash and diamond | 1958
End of World War II, spring, 1945. The inhabitants of Poland, who were previously united by one misfortune and a common enemy, began to kill each other due to political differences. The country becomes “Soviet territory”.
Maciek used to be a student, but now he is a brave and experienced fighter who needs to kill a communist who is very important for the Resistance. However, he is mistaken and takes the lives of ordinary workers who have nothing to do with party activities.
Now the fighter and his commander are forced to hide.
9. The best years of our lives | 1946
Three US Army officers returned to their loved ones after the end of hostilities.
Homer was left without upper limbs, and his beloved girl, whom he wanted to marry, will face a serious test of the strength of her feelings.
Fred’s wife did not really miss her husband: when her husband was gone, she left his parents and began to live on her own. In addition, Fred has big problems with money, and they are in no hurry to hire him.
Al’s children have just begun to grow up by his return: the former fighter has to re-gain the trust and love of family members.
8. Mommy’s sons | 1953
Adriatic, small town. After poverty, devastation and other sufferings of the war times, the inhabitants of Italy are just beginning to have fun, arrange family life, work and enjoy the sea, sunlight.
However, several characters in the film feel dissatisfied, they want to escape from these places, and as soon as possible. These are grown-up “mama’s sons” who strive to leave their native nest, but cannot do it in any way.
7. Bad sleep peacefully | 1960
Koichi Nishi is a young man whose thoughts are filled with dreams of revenge. His father was driven to suicide by the head of a prominent land company. Nishi wants all the people involved in this crime to be imprisoned.
Using documents that do not belong to him, Koichi gets a job at this company. After a while, the young man’s enemies begin to trust him: he is even going to marry Yoshiko, the vice president’s daughter. Seeing an unusual wedding cake, company executives begin to guess what awaits them.
6. Bodyguard | 1961
A samurai who has come to a certain Japanese city looks very unusual for a samurai: he is shaggy and has a bad haircut. Local oligarchs, who are wanted and under investigation, have created two criminal gangs in this town.
People suffer greatly from the lawlessness of criminals, and the samurai decides to help them and reduce the number of members of these gangs. He is hired first in one, then in another group – and kills the villains, while not forgetting about achieving his own goals.
5. Singing in the rain | 1952
This legendary film was based on old Broadway songs. Popular actor Don Lockwood began his career as an ordinary stuntman and musician.
He constantly has to shoot with Lina Lamont – a selfish, spoiled and self-confident person. She has no doubt that there is a love affair between her and her partner, but this is just a studio trick to provide the actors with additional advertising. In fact, Lina is very annoying to Don, and he does not imagine her next to him.
4. King of Comedy | 1982
Rupert Papkin is a resilient loser who does not doubt his genius. He believes that his destiny is to become a famous humorist. You only need to be on stage once, and luck will surely smile at him.
Papkin asks Jerry Langford, the host of the famous evening show, for permission to perform on this show. However, the popular showman is not at all eager to let an obsessive mediocrity on his program.
Rupert is refused, but he still does not lose hope and continues to move towards his goal, not at all doubting his strength and talent.
3. Raging bull | 1980
The Bronx Bull is the nickname of Jake LaMotta, who successfully performs in the boxing ring. Boxing allows you to splash out all his sexual and psychological complexes. Joey is Jake’s brother, who is his promoter and trainer.
The boxer has a wife, Vicki. He married a girl when she was a teenager. Their family life was unsuccessful: LaMotte had no doubt that his wife was cheating on him. He constantly shouted at her, and sometimes even dissolved his hands.
Even his brother’s persuasion did not help Jake become more accommodating. As a result, the boxer, who never learned to control his aggression, ruined his relationship with loved ones and was left completely alone.
2. Apartment | 1960
CC Baxter is an employee at a New York insurance company. In order to achieve promotion through the ranks, he gives the keys to his apartment not only to friends who often spend time with mistresses, but also to his boss.
When Baxter nevertheless begins to move up the career ladder, the unexpected happens: he develops tender feelings for the boss’s beloved. The girl tries to commit suicide, but CC saves her, distracts her from new suicide attempts by playing cards and talking.
1. Sunrise | 1927
The Woman from the City convinces the Man to stage the murder of his Wife. The protagonist is in love with the instigator, so there is no need to persuade him for too long. They set up an accident on the boat: The Man must drown the Wife.
Already during a boat trip, the protagonist realizes that he is not able to kill a person. The wife guesses what he wants to do and runs away when the boat is at the city pier. After that, the couple finds out the relationship and eventually reunites.