Category: Drama
All Genres: Drama, Thriller
Release Year: 1972
Country: USA
Runtime: 175
Rating: 6.6 (0)
Languages: English, Italian, Latin
Director: Francis Ford Coppola
Sound: DTS, Mono
Taglines:
Inspired by the true story of five students who changed the game forever.
Writing by: Mario Puzo – (novel)
Mario Puzo – (screenplay) and
Francis Ford Coppola – (screenplay)
Produced by: Gray Frederickson – associate producer
Albert S. Ruddy – producer
Cast: Marlon Brando – Don Vito Corleone
Al Pacino – Michael Corleone
James Caan – Santino Sonny Corleone
Richard S. Castellano – Peter Clemenza (as Richard Castellano)
Robert Duvall – Tom Hagen
Sterling Hayden – Capt. McCluskey
John Marley – Jack Woltz
Richard Conte – Don Emilio Barzini
Al Lettieri – Virgil The Turk Sollozzo
Diane Keaton – Kay Adams
Abe Vigoda – Sal Tessio
Music: Nino Rota
Official Website: Visit Website
Plot Outline: The aging patriarch of an organized crime dynasty transfers control of his clandestine empire to his reluctant son.
Plot: The story begins as “Don” Vito Corleone, the head of a New York Mafia “family”, oversees his daughters wedding. His beloved son Michael has just come home from the war, but does not intend to become part of his fathers business. Through Michaels life the nature of the family business becomes clear. The business of the family is just like the head of the family, kind and benevolent to those who give respect, but given to ruthless violence whenever anything stands against the good of the family. Don Vito lives his life in the way of the old country, but times are changing and some dont want to follow the old ways and look out for community and “family”. An up and coming rival of the Corleone family wants to start selling drugs in New York, and needs the Dons influence to further his plan. The clash of the Dons fading old world values and the new ways will demand a terrible price, especially from Michael, all for the sake of the family.
Crazy Credits: We know about 3 Crazy Credits. One of them reads:
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.
Goofs: We know about 77 goofs. Here comes one of them:
Continuity: A glass of wine in the wedding scene.
Trivia: There are 108 entries in the trivia list – like these:
- Ernest Borgnine, Edward G. Robinson, Orson Welles, and George C. Scott were considered by Paramount Pictures for the role of Vito Corleone. Burt Lancaster wanted the role but was never considered. When Paramount considered casting Italian producer Carlo Ponti, director Francis Ford Coppola objected, as Vito was Italian-American and more a New Yorker than Italian, and thus wouldnt speak with Pontis Italian accent. When asked his opinion by the Paramount brass, Coppola said he wanted to cast either Laurence Olivier or Marlon Brando as the Don. In a September/October 2003 “Cigar Aficionado” magazine cover story, Coppola said, “I wanted either an Italian-American or an actor whos so great that he can portray an Italian-American. So, they said, Who do you suggest? I said, Lookit, I dont know, but who are the two greatest actors in the world? Laurence Olivier and Marlon Brando. Well, Laurence Olivier is English. He looked just like Vito Genovese. His face is great. I said, I could see Olivier playing the guy, and putting it on. [And] Brando is my hero of heroes. Id do anything to just meet him. But hes 47, hes a young, good-looking guy. So, we first inquired about Olivier and they said, Olivier is not taking any jobs. Hes very sick. Hes gonna die soon and hes not interested. So, I said, Why dont we reach out for Brando?” Frank Sinatra, despite his reported distaste for the novel and opposition to the film, had discussions with Coppola about playing the role himself and at one point actually offered his services. Coppola, however, was adamant in his conviction that Brando take the role instead. This would be the third time Brando performed in a part sought by Sinatra, after playing Terry Malloy in On the Waterfront (1954) and Sky Masterson in Guys and Dolls (1955/I). Brandos previous film, Queimada (1969), had been a terrible flop and he could not get work in American pictures, being considered by many producers as “washed up”. Paramount executives initially would offer Marlon Brando only union scale for the role of Don Corleone. Finally, the studio relented and paid Brando $300,000, according to Coppolas account. In his autobiography The Kid Stays in the Picture (2002), former Paramount production chief Robert Evans claims that Brando was paid $50,000, plus points, and sold back his points to Paramount before the release of the picture for an additional $100,000 because he had female-related money troubles. Realizing the film was going to be a huge hit, Paramount was happy to oblige. This financial fleecing of Brando, according to Evans, is the reason he refused to do publicity for the picture or appear in the sequel two years later.
- At Connies wedding, Sonny is seen in close quarters with Lucy Mancini (Jeannie Linero) Connies maid of honour at the event (wearing a pink dress). According to the novel, Sonny takes Lucy as his mistress (she is “that young girl” Don Corleone mentions to Sonny; she is also seen before Sonny visits Connie). The novel and film trilogy differ on her fate, though: in the novel she eventually moves on, settling down with a Las Vegas doctor; she is briefly seen in The Godfather: Part III (1990), with her son Vincent playing a major role.
- A promotional board game titled “The Godfather Game” was released in 1971.