The key to this film is the evolution of Al Pacino's role: Michael; the younger son: a war hero determined to love his family without being drawn into its illegal business, until his family is attacked. You can watch Michael grow up before your eyes, and the subtlty of Pacino's performance is the perfect offset for the naked violence and vividness of the plot. Brando became synonymous with the canonical mafia Don in this unforgettable role. Truly a brilliant film whose only flaw is that it became such a standard that seeing it now it seems almost cliche; but only because it is such an epito…