Yes, this is a tough question, but what in your opinion was the best performance in The Godfather Trilogy?

I personally think it was James Caan's. It wasn't boring and plain, but he didn't go over the top either, with a fake accent and fake gestures.

I have to go with Brando's. Pachino was also great considering his inexperience at the time.

Definitely James Caan. Best performance ever, IMO

Marlon Brando.

James Caan. He was just great playing the ill-tempered Santino.

mmm... Trilogy?
If I'd mean 1 and 2 films, I'd go with Pacino. But in 3 there's no best performance. They were all beneath their level, beginning with Coppola.

Pacino hands down! Over the first two films we see such a morphing of his character, going from a nice young man over to a cold blooded murderer. Just a brilliant piece of acting. Then in GFIII, while it maybe not one of his best performances, he still is very convincing in his attempted conversion of having his character revert back to a caring family man, etc. The man is like a chameleon with the character of Michael. We like him, despise him, admire him, repel him, and then wind up feeling sorry and hurt for him. Not many actors can be so convincing in their roles as to make a viewer have so many different emotions and feelings about the same character.

Don Cardi

Pacino and Duval

Caan for me!

Michael V Gazzo

Brando anyday of the week, but still, if somebody says to me 'the godfather', i think pacino rather than Brando

Well, you have to keep in mind that each had a role to play that allowed various degrees of latitude. For example, Brando's was rather limited since he had to pretty much maintain a stoic attitude through all the family's trials and tribulations. His character was pretty much set. That said, within those parameters he did a fantastic job. Pacino had the 'evolution of the character" latitude, so naturally he is more appealing perhaps in that regard. But, he did a fantastic job too. For my, money, Brando.

Pacino. Whenever I think of GF, pacino's "who is being naive kay?" and "today I settled all family business" comes to my mind. Then in GF2, the pacino-connie-merle scene and the whole abortion scene. Great performance.

Pacino, despite Brando's excellent performance, him being in only one of the films means he is overshadowed by Pacinos excellent performance in all 3

Pacino by far.

A nod to Shire whose character evolved from "spoiled guinea brat," to abused spouse, to promiscuous widow, to matriarch of the family.

Shire's performance is under-rated. Both Shire's acting as well as the character she portrayed, Connie, are integral parts of the success of trilogy.

Part I : Marlon Brando, James Caan.
Part II : Al Pacino, John Cazale, Robert DeNiro.
Part III : Al Pacino, Talia Shire.

I think the reason Connie is underrated is because she is SO damn ugly. Espicially in GF 1, like in the final scene. I was blown away with her face. Marlon Brando would look better in a dress than her.

Brando made the first movie and Pacino ran with it.