Which is the better film... I or II?

Reasons for I:

1. Brando in possibly the best role of all time.
2. We get to see the good times.
3. The gang's all there.
4. A more balanced film -- more suspense, more humor and more drama.
5. More colorful characters.

Reasons for II:

1. More ambitious -- Mike's fall set against Vito's rise is perhaps one of the most brilliant cinematic devices ever used.
2. Complexity -- its plot is perhaps the most discussed subject on the boards.
3. More Fredo.
4. More tragic feel.
5. Michael P. Gazzo as Franki "Five Angels" Pentangelli.
6. Lee Strasberg as Hyman Roth.
7. Robert DeNiro as Young Vito.
8. The flashback scenes -- including Vito's birthday.
9. The expanded score (The Immigrant)
10. More historically & socially resonant.

I think I've answered my own question with this. I can honestly say that Part II is the "better film" as it's deeper than Part I and has as many, if not more, excellent performances, though it lacks a center of gravitas in Brando.

However, Part I is the more enjoyable film, if you will... it's a much more comfortable movie. You can warm up to certain characters. Its pace is very fluid unlike the jumps between past and present in Part II. Part II also has a very cold feel to it. But I like it.

So I guess my answer is the same as its always been. I love them equally as much, but for different reasons. I guess its still safe to say that they are just one long movie, hence the saga.

All I can say is, "Damn... I love these movies!"

Your thoughts?

It's like trying to decide which is the better treat: chocolate cake or pizza? A comparison may not be necessary at all.

The happiest contest in the world is to decide which movie is better--no losers!. I come out exactly where you do, DBCH--love those movies!

What, no argument for III?

I love Part III as much as any one on these boards, but I'm not crazy...

Like you said DBCH,i look at it as one big movie.A brilliant second to none one long movie.

And for the record i enjoy watching part 3 now.Its grown on me.Ive let go of the disappointment and accepted it for what it is.

By seeing your analysis DBCH i dont understand how part 1 can be seen as one of the greatest movie ever made (AFI ranking and others) whilst Godfather part 2 is well behind, doesnt make sense as your analysis supports that part 2 has more going for it then part 1.

I think both movies are part of the whole corleone story. You have to watch part 1 to see what the corleones were and part 2 to see what happens to them in the end and the start.

Part 3 shouldnt have been made.