1. The Godfather (1972)
The first of a trilogy based on Mario Puzo's original novel, The Godfather sets a high standard in terms of quality crime thrillers in cinema. Set in post-war America and spanning a decade, the film introduces audiences to the Corleone family, headed by patriarch Vito Corleone (Marlon Brando, in an Oscar winning role), and chronicling their highs and lows as they suffer through business disagreements with rival mob families. Director Francis Ford Coppola puts considerable emphasis on the familial bonds between father and sons, namely Sonny (James Caan) and Michael (Al Pacino), resulting in a powerful tale about family loyalty and the inner workings of organized crime in the 1940s. The film earned a Best Picture Oscar in 1972. 9.5/10