This is the original film poster for ‘The Godfather’ produced in 1972. The poster depicts a sinister looking face of the main protagonist in the film (actor Marlon Brando) who is captured emerging from the darkness as a chiaroscuro lighting effect highlights the form of his emotionless face.
Within the poster there is a simple yet effective use of composition which makes the poster bold and pleasing to the eye. The actor’s face is on a ‘power point’ towards the top left of the poster, which makes it stand out as the focal point. The face is also met by a leading line as we follow the white tuxedo to the quote below which reads “I’m gonna make him an offer he can’t refuse”. Having this specific quote (anchor) on the film poster, makes an impact on the viewer as a sense of mystery and danger is conveyed.
The sinister looking face of the actor, whose eyes have been blackened to invisible, reinforces the sense of danger within the quote below and captures the viewer’s eye. Using a strong contrast of black and white there is a suggestion of symbolism of contrasting themes such as that between heroes and villains. The actor is wearing a tuxedo which is often a classic signification of a ‘film noir’ and the darkness within the poster enforces this. There is little colour in the poster, only the red of the rose which in this context subconsciously suggests feelings of danger and possibly blood therefore violence within the film.
Overall, the film poster is successful in communicating the target audience to the viewer which is the adult male, this is due to the boldness and sense of danger and violence as well as the featured actor being an older male. The poster fits in well with other ‘film noir’ posters produced around this time and is a classic example of these with muted or absent colours and the use of chiaroscuro lighting to convey a sense of danger, appealing well to its target audience.