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IMDbPro

The Godfather

  • 1972
  • R
  • 2h 55m
IMDb RATING
9.2/10
1.9M
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
49
19
Marlon Brando in The Godfather (1972)
The aging patriarch of an organized crime dynasty transfers control of his clandestine empire to his reluctant son.
Play trailer1:16
9 Videos
99+ Photos
CrimeDrama

The aging patriarch of an organized crime dynasty in postwar New York City transfers control of his clandestine empire to his reluctant youngest son.The aging patriarch of an organized crime dynasty in postwar New York City transfers control of his clandestine empire to his reluctant youngest son.The aging patriarch of an organized crime dynasty in postwar New York City transfers control of his clandestine empire to his reluctant youngest son.

  • Director
    • Francis Ford Coppola
  • Writers
    • Mario Puzo
    • Francis Ford Coppola
  • Stars
    • Marlon Brando
    • Al Pacino
    • James Caan
  • See production, box office & company info
  • IMDb RATING
    9.2/10
    1.9M
    YOUR RATING
    POPULARITY
    49
    19
    • Director
      • Francis Ford Coppola
    • Writers
      • Mario Puzo
      • Francis Ford Coppola
    • Stars
      • Marlon Brando
      • Al Pacino
      • James Caan
    • 5.3KUser reviews
    • 201Critic reviews
    • 100Metascore
  • See more at IMDbPro
  • Top rated movie #2
    • Won 3 Oscars
      • 32 wins & 31 nominations total

    Videos9

    Official Trailer
    Trailer 1:16
    Watch Official Trailer
    The Godfather
    Trailer 2:03
    Watch The Godfather
    'The Godfather' | Anniversary Mashup
    Clip 1:16
    Watch 'The Godfather' | Anniversary Mashup
    'The Godfather' | Filming Locations
    Clip 0:43
    Watch 'The Godfather' | Filming Locations
    The Godfather
    Clip 1:42
    Watch The Godfather
    The Godfather
    Clip 0:48
    Watch The Godfather
    The Godfather
    Clip 1:49
    Watch The Godfather
    Ben Schwartz Is Don Corleone, James Bond, and Pennywise
    Video 3:21
    Watch Ben Schwartz Is Don Corleone, James Bond, and Pennywise
    '2001: A Space Odyssey' Changed Michael Mando's View of Life
    Video 1:20
    Watch '2001: A Space Odyssey' Changed Michael Mando's View of Life

    Photos514

    Marlon Brando and Salvatore Corsitto in The Godfather (1972)
    Al Pacino and Simonetta Stefanelli in The Godfather (1972)
    Marlon Brando, Robert Duvall, James Caan, John Cazale, Talia Shire, Julie Gregg, Morgana King, Tere Livrano, and Gianni Russo in The Godfather (1972)
    Marlon Brando and Al Martino in The Godfather (1972)
    Al Pacino in The Godfather (1972)
    Marlon Brando and Salvatore Corsitto in The Godfather (1972)
    Marlon Brando in The Godfather (1972)
    Al Pacino and Diane Keaton in The Godfather (1972)
    Al Pacino in The Godfather (1972)
    Marlon Brando in The Godfather (1972)
    Marlon Brando, Al Pacino, James Caan, and John Cazale in The Godfather (1972)
    Abe Vigoda in The Godfather (1972)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Marlon Brando
    Marlon Brando
    • Don Vito Corleone
    Al Pacino
    Al Pacino
    • Michael Corleone
    James Caan
    James Caan
    • Sonny Corleone
    Diane Keaton
    Diane Keaton
    • Kay Adams
    Richard S. Castellano
    Richard S. Castellano
    • Clemenza
    • (as Richard Castellano)
    Robert Duvall
    Robert Duvall
    • Tom Hagen
    Sterling Hayden
    Sterling Hayden
    • Capt. McCluskey
    John Marley
    John Marley
    • Jack Woltz
    Richard Conte
    Richard Conte
    • Barzini
    Al Lettieri
    Al Lettieri
    • Sollozzo
    Abe Vigoda
    Abe Vigoda
    • Sal Tessio
    Talia Shire
    Talia Shire
    • Connie Corleone Rizzi
    Gianni Russo
    Gianni Russo
    • Carlo Rizzi
    John Cazale
    John Cazale
    • Fredo Corleone
    Rudy Bond
    Rudy Bond
    • Cuneo
    Al Martino
    Al Martino
    • Johnny Fontane
    Morgana King
    Morgana King
    • Mama Corleone
    Lenny Montana
    Lenny Montana
    • Luca Brasi
    • Director
      • Francis Ford Coppola
    • Writers
      • Mario Puzo(screenplay by) (based on the novel by)
      • Francis Ford Coppola(screenplay by)
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Cinematographer Gordon Willis earned himself the nickname "The Prince of Darkness," since his sets were so underlit. "Paramount Pictures" executives initially thought that the footage was too dark, until persuaded otherwise by Willis and Francis Ford Coppola that it was to emphasize the shadiness of the Corleone family's dealings.
    • Goofs
      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.
    • Quotes

      Michael: My father is no different than any powerful man, any man with power, like a president or senator.

      Kay Adams: Do you know how naive you sound, Michael? Presidents and senators don't have men killed.

      Michael: Oh. Who's being naive, Kay?

    • Crazy credits
      In the end credits, Marlon Brando's name is the only one that is not accompanied by the character name that he plays (e.g. "as Vito Corleone").
    • Alternate versions
      In 1972, Paramount was owned by Gulf & Western, so that company's name appears on the opening Paramount logo. When the film was re-released in 1997, Paramount was owned by Viacom, which placed its named on the re-release Paramount logo, and all subsequent video releases.
    • Connections
      Edited into The Godfather Saga (1977)
    • Soundtracks
      Mall Wedding Sequence
      (1972)

      Music by Carmine Coppola

    User reviews5.3K

    Review
    Review
    Featured review
    10/10
    I'm finding it hard to describe how amazing this movie was
    There is very little that I can add to the reviews on here, that have explained what is so wonderful about The Godfather so well. I have seen many amazing movies, as well as some clunkers, but The Godfather was beyond amazing. There are so many images, details and scenes that I seriously cannot get out of my head since watching it for the first time just nine hours ago. The Godfather is so incredibly well-made and acted that it stands out among the rest of those other amazing films I've seen, so much so I couldn't think of a single flaw, and I am struggling to think of a good enough reason to why I didn't see this film before now.

    True, The Godfather is a little slow-moving and the plot takes a while to unfold, but neither of these are flaws as such. The slow pacing added to the elegiac quality The Godfather has, and as for the plot what is special about this plot is that it is very unpredictable because you have next to no idea where it is next going to take you. Being 18, I was worried whether I was old enough to appreciate this film or even understand it, but luckily I understood it perfectly, and I can well and truly appreciate it for the masterpiece it is considered to be.

    The Godfather for one thing looks stunning. I strongly disagree with the previous reviewer who said the cinematography was horrid, for me the cinematography was one of the best assets of the film. In some scenes you have cinematography and lighting that is quite dark and mysterious, and then in scenes such as the wedding it is evergreen, autumnal and very picturesque. It is not just the cinematography that makes The Godfather look stunning, the costumes are beautifully tailored, the houses are gorgeous and majestic to look at and even the cars were immaculate.

    Then there is the score by Nina Rota. One word, outstanding! I have heard many wonderful scores in my lifetime, but after hearing this score few stick in the memory as much as the score for The Godfather. This score is both beautiful as seen with the main theme, and haunting in the way it sticks in your head after watching the film itself. Other outstanding assets are the masterly direction from Francis Ford Coppola, and the brilliantly written screenplay that is intelligent, thought-provoking and darkly humorous. As for the violence, some of it is shocking and intense especially in the climax which was enough to almost make your heart either beat twice as fast or stop, and I almost covered my eyes when the producer found the horse's head in his bed, but underneath that this family is somewhat loyal and honourable come to think of it.

    The acting is absolutely fantastic, bringing to life characters that are rich and complex, perhaps unlikeable at first but as you get to know them you warm to them. And I have to say, The Godfather is one of those rarities where no actor gives a weak performance. In particular, Marlon Brando is brilliant as Don Vito, very heavily disguised yet stately. Every word of dialogue, every subtle hand gesture and every facial expression was brilliantly judged. Al Pacino's casting was admittedly risky, but he still did a truly wonderful job carrying the film, while James Caan is dignified and loyal, Diane Keaton beautiful and alluring and Robert Duvall nicely understated.

    In conclusion, absolutely amazing, and I can see completely why it is considered one of the 10 greatest movies ever made, it is that good. In fact my 15-year old brother loved it so much, he wants to see it again. 10/10, though this film is too good for that rating. Bethany Cox
    helpful•90
    27
    • TheLittleSongbird
    • Jul 18, 2010

    FAQ45

    • Was Tom Hagen the one who put the horse's severed head in Jack Woltz's bed?
    • Why didn't the Don do anything to stop Carlo from beating Connie?
    • What was Michael's rank as a Marine? What commendations -- medals -- was he awarded?

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • March 24, 1972 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Official sites
      • Official Facebook
      • Official Instagram
    • Languages
      • English
      • Italian
      • Latin
    • Also known as
      • Mario Puzo's The Godfather
    • Filming locations
      • Forza d'Agrò, Messina, Sicily, Italy(as Corleone village)
    • Production companies
      • Paramount Pictures
      • Albert S. Ruddy Productions
      • Alfran Productions
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $6,000,000 (estimated)
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $136,381,073
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $302,393
      • Mar 19, 1972
    • Gross worldwide
      • $250,341,816
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      2 hours 55 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Mono
      • Dolby Digital
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.85 : 1

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