The Godson — 1971

For decades, was considered a lost film—a legend whispered about in South African film circles. Then, in 2018, a crumbling 16mm print was discovered in a garage in Durban, hidden inside a rusted can labeled “TV Sports Reel.” The print was sent to the University of Cape Town’s film archive, where a restoration project began. In 2021, a digitally restored version of The Godson 1971 screened at the Cape Town International Film Festival to a standing ovation.

The film was shot on location in New York City and its surrounding areas, and the cast was a veritable who's who of Hollywood talent. Marlon Brando, Al Pacino, James Caan, Robert Duvall, and Diane Keaton all starred in the film, which was produced by Albert S. Ruddy. The Godson 1971

was nominated for nine Academy Awards and won three, including Best Picture, Best Actor for Marlon Brando, and Best Adapted Screenplay for Francis Ford Coppola and Mario Puzo. For decades, was considered a lost film—a legend