The Godfather (1972)

Director:

Francis Ford Coppola

Writers:

Mario Puzo (novel)
Mario Puzo (screenplay) and
Francis Ford Coppola (screenplay)

Release Date:

24 March 1972 (USA)

Genre:

Crime | Drama | Thriller

Tagline:

An offer you can't refuse.

Plot:

The aging patriarch of an organized crime dynasty transfers control of his clandestine empire to his reluctant son.

Plot Keywords:

Mafia | Wedding | Organized Crime | Lawyer | Violence

Awards:

Won 3 Oscars. Another 19 wins & 17 nominations

Cast

  (Cast overview, first billed only)

Marlon Brando	...	Don Vito Corleone
Al Pacino	...	Michael Corleone
James Caan	...	Santino 'Sonny' Corleone
Richard S. Castellano	...	Peter Clemenza (as Richard Castellano)
Robert Duvall	...	Tom Hagen
Sterling Hayden	...	Capt. McCluskey
John Marley	...	Jack Woltz
Richard Conte	...	Don Emilio Barzini
Al Lettieri	...	Virgil 'The Turk' Sollozzo
Diane Keaton	...	Kay Adams
Abe Vigoda	...	Sal Tessio
Talia Shire	...	Connie Corleone Rizzi
Gianni Russo	...	Carlo Rizzi
John Cazale	...	Fredo Corleone
Rudy Bond	...	Don Carmine Cuneo

Also Known As:

"Mario Puzo's The Godfather" - USA (complete title)
"Godfather" - Japan (English title)

Runtime:

175 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English | Italian | Latin

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

DTS (re-release) | Mono

Certification:

Colombia:18 | Canada:14A (Manitoba) | Canada:AA (Ontario) | Spain:13 (re-rating) | Canada:14A (Alberta) (2010) | Philippines:R-18 | UK:15 (DVD) (2007) | Australia:MA (2008 re-rating) | Australia:R (original rating) | India:A | Italy:T (DVD re-rating) | Japan:G (2010) | Argentina:18 | Austria:16 | Canada:13+ (Quebec) (2007) | Chile:18 | Denmark:15 | Finland:K-16 (re-rating) | Finland:K-18 (original rating) | France:-12 | Hong Kong:IIB | Iceland:16 | Ireland:18 | Israel:PG | Italy:VM14 | Japan:R-15 | Mexico:C | Netherlands:16 | New Zealand:R16 | Norway:18 | Peru:18 | Portugal:17 (original rating) | Portugal:M/18 (re-rating) | Singapore:M18 | South Korea:18 | Spain:18 | Sweden:15 | UK:18 (video rating) (1987) | UK:X (cut) | USA:R | West Germany:16 | Poland:15 | Brazil:14

Filming Locations:

110 Longfellow Road, Staten Island, New York City, New York, USA

Company:

Alfran Productions

Trivia:

Al Pacino wore a foam latex facial appliance that covered his entire left cheek and was made up with colors to match his skin tone and give the effect of bruising, to simulate the effect of having his jaw broken by Captain McCluskey.

Goofs:

Anachronisms: When the funeral procession drives into the graveyard, modern 18-wheelers and vehicles can be seen on the freeway at the top left and top right of the scene. The freeway with these vehicles is visible throughout the scene during various shots.

Quotes:

[first lines]
Bonasera:I believe in America. America has made my fortune. And I raised my daughter in the American fashion. I gave her freedom but I taught her never to dishonor her family. She found a "boy friend," not an Italian. She went to the movies with him. She stayed out late. I didn't protest. Two months ago he took her for a drive, with another boy friend. They made her drink whiskey and then they tried to take advantage of her. She resisted. She kept her honor. So they beat her. Like an animal. When I went to the hospital her nose was broken. Her jaw was shattered, held together by wire. She couldn't even weep because of the pain. But I wept. Why did I weep? She was the light of my life. A beautiful girl. Now she will never be beautiful again.
[He breaks down at this point, and the Don gestures to his son to get him a drink]
Bonasera:Sorry...
[He regains his composure and carries on]
Bonasera:I went to the police, like a good American. These two boys were brought to trial. The judge sentenced them to three years in prison, and suspended the sentence. Suspended sentence! They went free that very day! I stood in the courtroom like a fool, and those two bastards, they smiled at me. Then I said to my wife, "For justice, we must go to Don Corleone."
Don Corleone:Why did you go to the police? Why didn't you come to me first?
Bonasera:What do you want of me? Tell me anything. But do what I beg you to do.
Don Corleone:What is that?
[Bonasera gets up from his seat and whispers into the Don's ear; for a long moment the Don is silent]
[...]

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "Peep Show: Wedding (#2.6)" (2004)

Soundtrack:

The Bells of St. Mary's

perfect

This movie is strong, good script, great casting, excellent acting, and over the top directing. It is hard to fine a movie done this well, it is 29 years old and has aged well. Even if the viewer does not like mafia type of movies, he or she will watch the entire film, the audiences is glued to what will happen next as the film progresses. Its about, family, loyalty, greed, relationships, and real life. This is a great mix, and the artistic style make the film memorable.