The Godfather (1972)

Taglines:

An offer you can't refuse.

Parents Guide:

View content advisory »

Official Sites:

Official site | Add/edit official sites  »

Country:

USA

Language:

English | Italian | Latin

Release Date:

24 March 1972 (USA) See more »

Also Known As:

Mario Puzo's The Godfather See more »

Filming Locations:

110 Longfellow Road, Staten Island, New York City, New York, USA See more »

Budget:

$6,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend:

$302,393 (USA) (19 March 1972) (6 Screens)

Gross:

$245,066,411 (Worldwide) (11 May 1997)

Production Co:

Paramount Pictures, Alfran Productions See more »

Show detailed company contact information on IMDbPro »

Runtime:

175 min

Sound Mix:

DTS (re-release) | Mono

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Trivia

Martin Sheen and Dean Stockwell auditioned for the role of Michael Corleone. Oscar-winner Rod Steiger campaigned hard for the role of Michael, even though he was too old for the part. Warren Beatty, Jack Nicholson, and Dustin Hoffman were all offered the part of Michael Corleone, but all refused. (Beatty was also offered directing and producing duties.) Suggestions of Alain Delon and Burt Reynolds were rejected by Francis Ford Coppola. Paramount production chief Robert Evans wanted Robert Redford to be cast in the part, but Coppola demurred as he was too WASPy. Evans explained that Redford could fit the role as he could be perceived as "northern Italian". Evans eventually lost the struggle over the actor he derided as "The Midget". The Irish-American Ryan O'Neal then became the front-runner for the part, though it eventually devolved onto James Caan. Before being cast as Michael, Al Pacino was committed to starring in The Gang That Couldn't Shoot Straight. Coppola, in a 2003 "Cigar Aficionado" interview, said that Paramount pulled some strings and managed to get Pacino released. The Paramount brass, particularly Evans, were adamantly opposed to casting Pacino, who did poorly in screen tests, until they saw his excellent performance in The Panic in Needle Park. Caan went back to his original role of Sonny when Pacino came on board. Robert De Niro tested for both Michael and Sonny and was almost cast as Carlo before being cast as Paulie. Then, De Niro was offered Pacino's former role in "Gang". With Coppola's blessing, De Niro backed out to take the part. This, in turn, enabled De Niro to star as a young Vito in the sequel, which won him an Oscar and made his career. See more »

Goofs

Continuity: When Michael returns to New York from meeting Moe Green in Vegas, two black sedans pull into the Corleone compound, with Michael and Kay apparently in the second sedan. The cut to the interior of the vehicle shows Michael, Kay and their son in the back seat of a two-door vehicle, not a four door. See more »

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]
[...]
See more »

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. See more »

Connections

Referenced in "The Office: Whistleblower (#6.25)" (2010) See more »

Soundtracks

"I Have But One Heart"
Written by Johnny Farrow
Lyrics by Marty Symes
Performed by Al Martino See more »