The Godfather: Part III (1990)

In the midst of trying to legitimize his business dealings in 1979 New York and Italy, aging mafia don Michael Corleone seeks to vow for his sins while taking a young protégé under his wing.

Director:

Francis Ford Coppola

Writers:

Mario Puzo, Francis Ford Coppola

Stars:

Al Pacino, Diane Keaton, Talia Shire

Nominated for 7 Oscars. Another 4 wins & 13 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Al Pacino	...	Don Michael Corleone
Diane Keaton	...	Kay Adams Michelson
Talia Shire	...	Connie Corleone Rizzi
Andy Garcia	...	Vincent Mancini
Eli Wallach	...	Don Altobello
Joe Mantegna	...	Joey Zasa
George Hamilton	...	B.J. Harrison
Bridget Fonda	...	Grace Hamilton
Sofia Coppola	...	Mary Corleone
Raf Vallone	...	Cardinal Lamberto
Franc D'Ambrosio	...	Anthony Vito Corleone
Donal Donnelly	...	Archbishop Gilday
Richard Bright	...	Al Neri
Helmut Berger	...	Frederick Keinszig
Don Novello	...	Dominic Abbandando

Storyline

In the final instalment of the Godfather Trilogy, an aging Don Michael Corleone seeks to legitimize his crime family's interests and remove himself from the violent underworld but is kept back by the ambitions of the young. While he attempts to link the Corleone's finances with the Vatican, Michael must deal with the machinations of a hungrier gangster seeking to upset the existing Mafioso order and a young protoge's love affair with his daughter.

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Plot Keywords:

gangster | mafia don | vatican | mafia | revenge | 

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Taglines:

Real power can't be given. It must be taken.

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Genres:

Crime | Drama | Mystery | Thriller

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for violence and language

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English Italian German Latin

Release Date:

25 December 1990 (USA)

Also Known As:

Mario Puzo's The Godfather: Part III

Filming Locations:

Atlantic City, New Jersey, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$54,000,000 (estimated)

Gross:

$66,676,062 (USA)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Paramount Pictures, Zoetrope Studios

Technical Specs

Runtime:

162 min 169 min (video)

Sound Mix:

70 mm 6-Track (70 mm prints) Dolby SR (35 mm prints)

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

In a March 2010 interview, Andy Garcia revealed that Francis Ford Coppola had informally planned fourth Godfather film. Much like The Godfather: Part II, the film would follow a parallel narrative, with one story focusing on Garcia's character, Vincent, leading the Family into the modern era, and the other story following the youth of Vincent's father, Sonny, with Leonardo DiCaprio tipped as Coppola's first choice for the role. Coppola, along with Mario Puzo began work on the story, though Puzo's death cut short the development. Coppola didn't wish to continue without Puzo's involvement, so the project was abandoned. Paramount studios, however, has considered proceeding with a fourth film without Puzo, or even Coppola's involvement (possibly based on the Godfather novels by Mark Winegardner), though as of 2010, no official plans for a fourth film exist.

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Goofs

When Michael lies in the hospital, the oxygen tube on his pillow changes its position.

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Quotes

[first lines]
Michael Corleone: [voiceover] My dear children: It is now better than several years since I moved to New York, and I haven't seen you as much as I would like to. I hope you will come to the ceremony of papal honors given for my charitable work. The only wealth in this world is children; more than all the money, power on earth, you are my treasure.

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Crazy Credits

"Dedicated to Charlie Bluhdorn who inspired it."

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Connections

Referenced in The Sopranos: Guy Walks Into a Psychiatrist's Office (2000)

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Soundtracks

"SANTA ROSALIA"
from "LA BARONESSA DI CARINI"
Performed by Grace Farrugia, Maria Tulumello, Vincenzina Galante & Josephine Attardo
Courtesy of Global Village Music N.Y. Cassettes and Compact Discs

User Reviews

The Godfather Part III

Well done finale to the fantastic saga of the Corleone family with Coppola's daughter Sofia being the only weak link in the acting area. Garcia is brilliant and carries the same vigor and power as Caan before him. Pacino still has that touch as Michael, now in his later years. The film moves along briskly and features great support from Mantegna, Wallach and a surprisingly well used George Hamilton. Wasn't as big a hit at the Oscars as the first two installments, but the saga is still one of the most important series of films ever made.