Don Vito with his sons Sonny, Michael and Fredo

The Godfather is a cinematic extravaganza that is widely regarded by many as the best motion picture of all time. The Godfather is studded with a plethora of supernal performances, and it won't be a hyperbole to say that almost every actor has given an Oscar worthy performance. Marlon Brando is exceptionally brilliant in his sterling portrayal of Vito Corleone, and manages to bag his second Oscar for the part. The level of Brando's dedication to the part is such that he lives through the role to such an extent that it's impossible to separate him from his on-screen alter-ego, whose grandeur ironically lies in his austerity and inexorable equanimity.

The famous restaurant shoot-out scene featuring Al Pacino

Al Pacino is singularly remarkable in his portrayal of Michael Corleone. His character goes through a complete role-reversal in the second half as Michael turns to the dark side. The contrast that Pacino brings in his dichotomous portrayal is incredible to say the least. The restaurant shoot-out scene featuring Pacino is arguably the most powerful scene filmed in the history of American Cinema, and it is this very scene that Coppola deliberately pre-scheduled to convince the Studio personnels of Pacino's acting talent. It's indeed sad that Pacino was overlooked by the Academy, despite being nominated in the supporting category, and had to wait for almost two decades to bag his first Oscar statuette.

Robert Duvall as Tom Hagen