The story begins as "Don" Vito Corleone, the head of a New York Mafia "family", oversees his daughter's wedding. His beloved son Michael has just come home from the war, but does not intend to become part of his father's business. Through Michael's life the nature of the family business becomes clear. The business of the family is just like the head of the family, kind and benevolent to those who give respect, but given to ruthless violence whenever anything stands against the good of the family. Don Vito lives his life in the way of the old country, but times are changing and some don't want to follow the old ways and look out for community and "family". An up and coming rival of the Corleone family wants to start selling drugs in New York, and needs the Don's influence to further his plan. The clash of the Don's fading old world values and the new ways will demand a terrible price...
Written by Charlie Ness
A young Sylvester Stallone auditioned for the role of Paulie Gatto and Carlo Rizzi, but didn't get the role. Stallone instead decided to try writing and did the screenplay for the modestly successful
The Lord's of Flatbush. He would later get his break in
Rocky, coincidentally alongside Talia Shire (Connie Corleone).
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Goofs
Audio/visual unsynchronized:
During Sonny and Carlo's fight, one of Sonny's "movie" punches is shot from the wrong angle and clearly misses, but still produces the sound of an impact.
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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]
[...]
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Crazy Credits
Although Mario Puzo is given possessory credit at the beginning, and is
credited as a screenwriter at the end, no credit is given to him on-screen
as author of the original novel, even though that credit is given on the
poster. This credit does appear in the second film, however.
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