Overview

• Steven Spielberg praised 'The Godfather' as 'the greatest American film ever made' during a speech honoring Francis Ford Coppola at the April 26 AFI Life Achievement Awards.
• Spielberg lauded Coppola for redefining American cinema and inspiring generations of filmmakers, including himself and peers like George Lucas.
• Coppola's 'The Godfather,' initially doubted by Paramount Studios in 1972, became a critical and commercial success, winning Oscars for Best Picture and Adapted Screenplay.
• Robert De Niro and Al Pacino, stars of 'The Godfather' series, joined the tribute, with De Niro humorously reflecting on not being cast as Sonny Corleone in the original film.
• The ceremony, held at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles, will be broadcast on TNT in June and TCM in July, continuing the celebration of Coppola's cinematic achievements.