Francis Ford Coppola’s The Godfather isn’t just a movie—it’s a cinematic monument. Released in 1972 and based on Mario Puzo’s bestselling novel, it redefined gangster films, elevated the mafia genre, and introduced audiences to a darkly elegant, morally complex world of power, loyalty, and family. Anchored by unforgettable performances, sharp writing, and Nino Rota’s haunting score, The Godfather is widely regarded as one of the greatest films ever made.
Detailed Summary
The Wedding: A Family Business
The movie begins with the iconic wedding of Connie Corleone, daughter of Don Vito Corleone (Marlon Brando), the powerful and feared head of the Corleone crime family. During this Sicilian-American celebration, people from all walks of life come to pay their respects and ask the Don for favors, following the old Sicilian tradition that “no Sicilian can refuse a request on his daughter’s wedding day.” This sequence sets up the characters, hierarchy, and rules of the family.
Meanwhile, we meet Michael Corleone (Al Pacino), a decorated WWII hero and Vito’s youngest son, who wants nothing to do with the family business. His girlfriend, Kay Adams (Diane Keaton), is introduced to the more shadowy elements of Michael’s world.
The Offer Refused
A narcotics dealer named Sollozzo approaches the Don with an offer to invest in the drug trade. Vito declines, believing drugs are a dirty business and dangerous for the family’s political influence. This decision sets off a chain of violent events. Sollozzo attempts to have Vito assassinated, leaving him gravely wounded.
The power vacuum forces Vito’s hot-headed eldest son, Sonny (James Caan), to step up. Michael, reluctantly drawn in, visits his father in the hospital and is forced to protect him from a second assassination attempt. This moment marks Michael’s first real step into the underworld.
Michael’s Transformation
In a shocking escalation, Michael volunteers to murder Sollozzo and a corrupt police captain, McCluskey, in a Bronx restaurant. The execution is brutal and clinical. After the murders, Michael is sent to hide in Sicily.
Back home, Sonny is murdered in a violent ambush, riddled with bullets at a tollbooth—one of the film’s most famous scenes. With his oldest son gone and his health fading, Vito reluctantly brings Michael back into the family fold. Vito makes peace with the rival families to end the bloodshed but warns that whoever approaches Michael about a meeting is the traitor.
The New Don
Michael returns to America a changed man. He marries Kay and takes over the family business, slowly becoming the man he swore he wouldn’t be. After Vito’s death, the rivals make a move to destroy the Corleones. Michael acts decisively and ruthlessly.
In a chilling and brilliant montage—intercut with the baptism of Connie’s baby—Michael has all his enemies assassinated. This sequence signals the full transformation of Michael into the new Don.
Connie confronts Michael after her husband is killed on his orders, and Kay, horrified, asks if it’s true. Michael lies, denying it, and then allows his men to address him as “Don Corleone” while the door to his office closes on Kay’s devastated face.
Movie Ending
The ending of The Godfather is cold and masterful. Michael, once the innocent outsider, has become the very thing he wanted to escape. The door literally shuts on his old life, his relationship with Kay, and any illusions of morality. He has fulfilled his destiny—not as a war hero, but as a Mafia kingpin.
Are There Post-Credits Scenes?
No, The Godfather does not include any post-credits scenes. In the tradition of classic 1970s cinema, the film concludes definitively with its final scene and ends with a traditional credits sequence.
Type of Movie
The Godfather is a crime drama and mafia/gangster film. It blends intense family dynamics with organized crime, offering a slow-burning narrative about power, legacy, and corruption.
Cast
- Marlon Brando as Don Vito Corleone
- Al Pacino as Michael Corleone
- James Caan as Sonny Corleone
- Robert Duvall as Tom Hagen
- Diane Keaton as Kay Adams
- Talia Shire as Connie Corleone
- John Cazale as Fredo Corleone
- Sterling Hayden as Captain McCluskey
- Richard S. Castellano as Clemenza
Film Music and Composer
The film’s haunting and iconic score was composed by Nino Rota, with additional pieces by Carmine Coppola. The main theme—“Speak Softly, Love”—has become synonymous with the mafia genre and Italian-American culture.
Filming Locations
- New York City: Many key scenes were shot in NYC, particularly in Staten Island, which served as the Corleone family compound.
- Los Angeles: Certain scenes, including Hollywood sequences involving producer Jack Woltz, were filmed in L.A.
- Sicily, Italy: Michael’s exile scenes were filmed in authentic Sicilian villages such as Savoca and Forza d’Agrò. These picturesque, rural locations contrast starkly with the violence of his transformation.
These settings provide cultural and narrative authenticity, grounding the story in real immigrant and American landscapes.
Awards and Nominations
- Academy Awards:
- Won: Best Picture, Best Actor (Marlon Brando), Best Adapted Screenplay
- Nominated: Best Director (Coppola), Best Supporting Actor (Pacino, Caan, Duvall), Best Costume Design, Best Sound
- Golden Globes:
- Won: Best Motion Picture – Drama, Best Director, Best Actor (Brando), Best Original Score
The film was later selected for preservation in the U.S. National Film Registry.
Behind the Scenes Insights
- Marlon Brando stuffed cotton balls in his cheeks during his audition to achieve Don Vito’s distinct voice and look.
- Al Pacino was almost fired multiple times during filming. Coppola had to fight the studio to keep him.
- The infamous horse head scene used a real horse head (provided by a dog food company), which shocked actor John Marley during filming.
- Coppola shot scenes in dark lighting to create a painterly, chiaroscuro effect, inspired by Caravaggio.
- Brando refused his Oscar in protest of Hollywood’s treatment of Native Americans, sending activist Sacheen Littlefeather in his place.
Inspirations and References
The film is based on Mario Puzo’s novel The Godfather, which was a bestseller. While the story is fictional, it’s heavily inspired by real-life mafia figures and the structure of Italian-American crime families in mid-20th century America.
Puzo and Coppola combined fact, myth, and fiction to craft a narrative that felt both epic and deeply personal.
Alternate Endings and Deleted Scenes
The film has no alternate endings, but the extended versions released on television (known as The Godfather Saga) include additional scenes such as:
- Michael’s college years and military service
- More detailed flashbacks of Vito’s rise
- Extra scenes between Sonny and Connie
These scenes add depth but weren’t necessary for the film’s tight theatrical release.
Book Adaptations and Differences
The movie streamlines several storylines from the book:
- The novel goes deeper into subplots like Lucy Mancini’s life in Vegas and Johnny Fontane’s career.
- Tom Hagen’s character is more prominent in the book.
- Some of the more salacious material was omitted to maintain tone.
The adaptation is considered one of the best in cinematic history, cutting the fluff and keeping the meat.
Memorable Scenes and Quotes
Key Scenes
- The horse head in the Hollywood producer’s bed
- Michael shooting Sollozzo and McCluskey in the restaurant
- Sonny’s brutal death at the toll booth
- The baptism-assassination montage
- The final “Don Corleone” scene
Iconic Quotes
- “I’m gonna make him an offer he can’t refuse.”
- “Leave the gun. Take the cannoli.”
- “It’s not personal, Sonny. It’s strictly business.”
- “A man who doesn’t spend time with his family can never be a real man.”
- “Don’t ever take sides against the family again.”
Easter Eggs and Hidden Details
- The presence of oranges often foreshadows death or danger.
- Coppola’s daughter Sofia appears as baby Michael’s goddaughter (she’d later star in The Godfather Part III).
- Real mobsters reportedly offered advice on the film’s accuracy.
- Vito’s raspy voice was based partly on Frank Costello, a real-life mob boss.
Trivia
- Brando had cue cards taped to co-stars and furniture so he didn’t have to memorize lines.
- The cat in the opening scene was a stray that wandered onto the set.
- The film grossed nearly $250 million worldwide—a record at the time.
- Al Pacino was paid only $35,000 for his role.
Why Watch?
Because it’s not just a movie—it’s the movie. The Godfather is essential viewing for anyone who loves cinema, storytelling, or epic character arcs. It’s a masterclass in acting, direction, and tension, with a legacy that continues to influence pop culture and filmmaking.
Director’s Other Movies
- The Godfather Part II (1974)
- Apocalypse Now (1979)
- The Conversation (1974)
- The Outsiders (1983)
- Bram Stoker’s Dracula (1992)
