The Godfather: Part II (1974)

The early life and career of Vito Corleone in 1920s New York City is portrayed, while his son, Michael, expands and tightens his grip on the family crime syndicate.

Director:

Francis Ford Coppola

Writers:

Francis Ford Coppola (screenplay by), Mario Puzo (screenplay by)

Stars:

Al Pacino, Robert De Niro, Robert Duvall

Top Rated Movies #3 | Won 6 Oscars. Another 11 wins & 20 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Al Pacino	...	Michael
Robert Duvall	...	Tom Hagen
Diane Keaton	...	Kay
Robert De Niro	...	Vito Corleone (as Robert DeNiro)
John Cazale	...	Fredo Corleone
Talia Shire	...	Connie Corleone
Lee Strasberg	...	Hyman Roth
Michael V. Gazzo	...	Frankie Pentangeli
G.D. Spradlin	...	Senator Pat Geary
Richard Bright	...	Al Neri
Gastone Moschin	...	Fanucci (as Gaston Moschin)
Tom Rosqui	...	Rocco Lampone
Bruno Kirby	...	Young Clemenza (as B. Kirby Jr.)
Frank Sivero	...	Genco
Francesca De Sapio	...	Young Mama Corleone (as Francesca de Sapio)

Storyline

The continuing saga of the Corleone crime family tells the story of a young Vito Corleone growing up in Sicily and in 1910s New York; and follows Michael Corleone in the 1950s as he attempts to expand the family business into Las Vegas, Hollywood and Cuba.

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Plot Keywords:

revenge | corrupt politician | mafia | bloody body of child | 1950s | 

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Taglines:

All the power on earth can't change destiny.

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Genres:

Crime | Drama

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Certificate:

R

Details

Official Sites:

Official Facebook

Country:

USA

Language:

English Italian Spanish Latin Sicilian

Release Date:

20 December 1974 (USA)

Also Known As:

Mario Puzo's The Godfather: Part II

Filming Locations:

2045 N. Hibiscus Drive, North Miami, Florida, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$13,000,000 (estimated)

Gross USA:

$57,300,000

Company Credits

Production Co:

Paramount Pictures,The Coppola Company

Technical Specs

Runtime:

202 min 220 min (The Godfather Trilogy 1901-1980 VHS Special Edition)

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

When Robert De Niro won his Oscar for this film, Francis Ford Coppola had to accept it on his behalf. De Niro was busy filming 1900 (1976). That film also featured Sterling Hayden; who had appeared in The Godfather (1972); and Gérard Depardieu who, like De Niro, would be nominated for an Oscar for playing a role (Cyrano de Bergerac (1990)) that had already been played by another actor (Jose Ferrer).

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Goofs

When Roberto the landlord visits Vito Corleone in his office, he lays money on the desk before Vito. Vito doesn't touch it, however after the cut the money's position on the table is rotated.

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Quotes

[first lines]
Title Card: The godfather was born Vito Andolini, in the town of Corleone in Sicily. In 1901 his father was murdered for an insult to the local Mafia chieftain. His older brother Paolo swore revenge and disappeared into the hills, leaving Vito, the only male heir, to stand with his mother at the funeral. He was nine years old.
[gunshots and screams]
Woman: [subtitled from Italian] They've killed the boy! They've killed young Paolo! They've killed your son Paolo!

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Crazy Credits

As with the first film no opening credits are shown. Although it is now commonplace for films not to have opening credits, it was considered innovative in 1974.

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Alternate Versions

The original theatrical release in New Zealand was cut for a PG rating. It's unknown what was removed. (The cuts were later waived at PG for a theatrical re-release, although the rating was upgraded to M on video for the 2008 restored version).

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Connections

Referenced in The Wind and the Lion (1975)

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Soundtracks

U Sciccareddu Sicilianu
(uncredited)
Traditional

User Reviews

Great ensemble acting, great story, greatest sequel ever made.

The Godfather Part 2 is the finest sequel ever made and is arguably a finer film than the original Godfather. The film is divided into two main parts - the story of a young Vito Corleone (flawlessly acted by Robert De Niro and a worthy Oscar winner) and the rise to power of Michael as the head of the family. Francis Coppola recollaborated with many of the crew members of the first film and again achieves a quite superb period piece thanks to the cinematography of Gordon Willis and set design of Dean Tavoularis. The acting performances are outstanding, hence three supporting oscar nominations for acting guru Lee Strasberg (Hyman Roth), Michael Gazzo (Frank Pentangeli) and Robert De Niro (young Vito Corleone). Duvall, Keaton, Cazale and Shire all provided first rate performances but it is the performance of Al Pacino which steals the show, expertly portraying Michael as a cool, calculating, suspicious Don Corleone. The film expands upon the original movie and brings us into the family's activities in Nevada, Florida and Havana. Arguably the finest movie of the 70s, a cinematic masterpiece with the greatest ensemble acting you will probably see.