The Power of a Zoom

Coppola has been using camera pans and angles throughout the Godfather so far to help the audience understand different ideas. I believe the way Coppola zooms in and out in many shots symbolizes what the audience wants, and doesn’t want to see as well as the gaining of information. 

My first example of a zoom is during the scene in Woltz’s bedroom. This is an interesting scene for many reasons. First of all, the camera lens acts as the audience’s eyes. As an audience member you feel that what is on the screen is what you are seeing. So by the camera slowly zooming forward almost eye level with with what you would be seeing if you were standing there, creates suspense because you feel that you are there in the scene, slowing creeping forward to Woltz’s bed. Second of all, you are waiting and wanting to see what is going to happen and the camera zooms in at a slow pace. This is a great shot because it is zooming towards something that the audience wants to see and learn more about; however, once Woltz wakes up and you see the blood, the camera starts zooming out because the audience no longer wants to see what is happening. The camera is zooming in and out at the same speed that the audience’s want for more information is gaining and retreating. 

Another example of the use of the zoom is when Michael is sitting in the office and discussing how he will kill McClusky. As the audience gains more information the camera zooms in symbolizing this gain of information. 

There have many other examples of zooming in and out in the film and I believe that as the story continues the same technique will continue to be used.