BTEC Media Zakaria Osman j | Page 7

theorists is Tzvetan Todorov. Todorov proposes that there are five stages to the narrative development which are the following;

•The Equilibrium, which when displayed needs to be clear to establish the films beginning.

•The disruption. As the equilibrium is the neutral state of the films atmosphere the disruption needs to take place to make the plot progress.

•Next is the Recognition. The disruption that took place is then recognised so that there can be a response to it.

•Followed by the Restoration, which is is an attempt to repair the damage done by the disruption.

•His fifth and final stage is the New Equilibrium and this is suggesting that the repair is complete and a new equilibrium is achieve and then a change is left to the original state hence the New Equilibrium. Putting Todorov’s theory into effect of the Godfather film this would imply that the ‘equilibrium’ of the film would be Vito Corleone’s daughter’s wedding and business is carrying on as usual with the family business. Moving on with the film Vito is gunned down which would be the ‘disruption’ of the films plot. This then put the family into a shocked state and also causing an Enigma as we wonder who shot Vito down. Moreover this is the source of the ‘recognition’ as Michael Corleone Vito’s youngest son realises he needs to avenge his father.

Michael’s acts lead onto a vendetta tied by family bloods and his brother also killed in the mix of the things that took place and so this is where the ‘restoration’ comes in. Michael takes out all five heads of the opposing mob families in an attempt to repair all damage and restore the all order of his the enemies he faced. Additionally as the father was gunned down he gave his rein to Michael as Vito grew old and he gave all control to Michael. Things went back to normal after all the hits initiating the ‘equilibrium reinstatement. The family were not faced with any problems and business ran as usual. The change was that in the end Michael is now the head of the family and as Vito dies he is the new ‘Don Corleone’ which adds something new to the equilibrium. What the theory suggests is that transformation is a key in the ingredients to a good plot and also the plot was compelled by the characters attempts to restore the equilibrium.

Unit 26 - Film Studies

Task 1 - Analytical Approaches