What is 'The Godfather' movie about?

The Godfather , set in the 1940s, revolves around the Corleones, a fictional Mafia family in New York. The story begins at the wedding of Don Vito Corleone's daughter, Connie. Vito's youngest son, Michael, attends with his girlfriend, Kay, despite distancing himself from the family business. After Vito is nearly killed by a rival family, Michael saves him and takes revenge, fleeing to Sicily as a gang war erupts. The violence escalates, reaching Michael when his wife is killed. Michael returns home, marries Kay, succeeds his father as don, and launches a campaign to eliminate all who attacked the Corleones. The screenplay, co-written by director Francis Ford Coppola and Mario Puzo, won an Academy Award.

Who directed 'The Godfather' and when was it released?

The Godfather , a gangster epic released in 1972, was directed by Francis Ford Coppola . Adapted from Mario Puzo 's 1969 novel, the film is a multigenerational saga of the Corleone family. The Godfather was the highest-grossing film of 1972 and won three Academy Awards, including Best Picture. Coppola and Puzo also won an Academy Award for their screenplay.

Who are the main characters in 'The Godfather'?

The Godfather , a film set in the 1940s, revolves around the Corleones, a fictional New York Mafia family. The main characters are: * Don Vito Corleone: The family patriarch, also known as the Godfather, is played by Marlon Brando. * Michael Corleone: Vito’s youngest son, played by Al Pacino, who initially distances himself from the family but later becomes the Don. * Sonny Corleone: Vito’s eldest son, played by James Caan. * Kay Adams: Michael's non-Italian girlfriend and later his wife, played by Diane Keaton. * Tom Hagen: The Corleones' family lawyer, played by Robert Duvall. * Connie Corleone: Vito's daughter, played by Talia Shire. * Fredo Corleone: Played by John Cazale.

Why is 'The Godfather' considered an important film in movie history?

The Godfather , released in 1972, is an important film due to its creative cinematography, haunting score, and unforgettable performances by actors such as Marlon Brando and Al Pacino . Adapted from Mario Puzo 's novel, it redefined the gangster genre by humanizing its characters and questioning the legitimacy of power gained through violence. Its impact is evident in its commercial success as the highest-grossing film of 1972 and its critical acclaim, including multiple Academy Awards. The film made a star of Robert Duvall and revitalized Marlon Brando's career. The Godfather was added to the National Film Registry in 1990 and was named one of the National Society of Film Critics’ 100 Essential Films in 2002.

What are some themes explored in 'The Godfather'?

The Godfather , both the novel and film , explores themes of family, power, and violence. The Corleone family's rise demonstrates how power can be won through violence, challenging conventional morality. The story questions the legitimacy of power gained through violence. It portrays the complexities of loyalty, betrayal, and the immigrant experience, as well as the dark side of the American dream.

The Godfather

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Images

Salvatore Corsitto leans in to speak to Marlon Brando as Vito Corleone in a dimly lit scene from the film The Godfather, directed by Francis Ford Coppola.

Still from The Godfather showing Marlon Brando as Vito Corleone in a tuxedo with a red rose, having his hand kissed by a man, with Al Pacino as Michael Corleone in the background.

Robert Redford as Bill McKay stands at a microphone in a suit and striped tie, with a large campaign poster of himself in the background, in the film The Candidate.

Warren Beatty as Clyde Barrow, wearing a fedora and vest, sits on the bumper of a vintage car holding a gun in the 1967 film Bonnie and Clyde.

Jack Nicholson, wearing work clothes and holding a hard hat, crouches on an oil rig with other workers in the background in a scene from Five Easy Pieces.

Sofia Coppola smiling at the camera with shoulder-length wavy hair, wearing a sparkly top at the premiere of The Bling Ring in Los Angeles.

Still from The Godfather showing Diane Keaton as Kay Adams in a straw hat and red dress, sitting at a table and talking to Al Pacino as Michael Corleone in military uniform.

Still from The Godfather, Part II, showing Michael Corleone, played by Al Pacino, holding Fredo Corleone, played by John Cazale, by the face at a crowded party.

Quick Facts

Awards And Honors:: Academy Award (1973)

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The Godfather

Q: How did 'The Godfather' influence other movies or popular culture?

The Godfather , a 1972 American gangster film adapted from Mario Puzo's novel, has had a significant influence on popular culture. The film's memorable dialogue, such as "I'll make him an offer he can't refuse," has become common parlance, and scenes from the film have been frequently quoted in other movies and TV shows. The success of The Godfather led to the creation of The Godfather Part II , which became the first sequel to win an Academy Award for best picture. Moreover, the novel remains the driving force behind the mobster culture industry, later influencing the long-running television series The Sopranos . The film also revitalized Marlon Brando's career and made a star of Robert Duvall. The Godfather was selected for the National Film Registry in 1990 and was named one of the National Society of Film Critics' 100 Essential Films in 2002.

film by Coppola [1972]

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Plot

The Godfather is set in the 1940s and takes place entirely within the world of the Corleones, a fictional New York Mafia family. It opens inside the dark office of the family patriarch, Don Vito Corleone (also known as the Godfather and played by Brando), on the wedding day of his daughter, Connie (Talia Shire). Vito’s youngest son, Michael (Pacino), who has distanced himself from the family business, attends the festivities with his non-Italian girlfriend, Kay (Diane Keaton).

A few months later, Vito is nearly killed by gunmen sent by a rival family, and Michael saves him from another attempt while he is recovering in the hospital. Michael then takes revenge, killing a corrupt police captain as well as the man who ordered the hit on Vito, after which he flees to Sicily as a gang war breaks out. Vito’s eldest son, Sonny (James Caan), is gunned down, and the violence eventually reaches Michael when his Sicilian wife is killed during an attempt on his life.

Empty movie theater and blank screen (theatre, motion pictures, cinema).

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Michael returns home and marries Kay, and Vito makes peace with the rival families. Michael succeeds his father as don, and, after bringing prosperity to the family, he launches a campaign to systematically wipe out all those who had ever attacked the Corleones.

Reception and notes

Francis Ford Coppola, at right, directs Marlon Brando, in a tuxedo at left, during a crowded outdoor wedding scene from The Godfather, surrounded by extras in formal attire. — *The Godfather*Francis Ford Coppola (right) directing Marlon Brando (left) in *The Godfather* (1972).

Director and cowriter Francis Ford Coppola shared an Academy Award for the screenplay that he and Puzo wrote. Dialogue from the movie—especially the line “I’ll make him an offer he can’t refuse”—became common parlance, and scenes from the film were frequently quoted in other movies and TV shows. Nino Rota’s score was nominated for an Academy Award but was removed from the list after it was learned that portions of the music were originally composed for the 1958 Italian film Fortunella.

The Godfather made a star of Robert Duvall, who played the family consigliere, and it also revitalized Brando’s career. Brando, however, refused the Oscar that he won for his performance in order to protest the treatment of Native Americans by the film industry. Coppola’s The Godfather Part II, a sequel and companion piece to The Godfather, was released in 1974, and it became the first sequel to win an Academy Award for best picture.

The Godfather was in the second group of films selected for the National Film Registry (1990) and was named in 2002 as one of the National Society of Film Critics’ 100 Essential Films.

Production notes and credits

Studios: Paramount Pictures and Alfran Productions
Director: Francis Ford Coppola
Writers: Mario Puzo and Francis Ford Coppola
Music: Nino Rota
Cinematographer: Gordon Willis

Cast

Marlon Brando (Don Vito Corleone)
Al Pacino (Michael Corleone)
James Caan (Sonny Corleone)
Robert Duvall (Tom Hagen)
Diane Keaton (Kay Adams)
Talia Shire (Connie)
John Cazale (Fredo)
Abe Vigoda (Tessio)

Academy Award nominations (* denotes win)

Picture*
Lead actor (Marlon Brando)*
Supporting actor (James Caan)
Supporting actor (Robert Duvall)
Supporting actor (Al Pacino)
Costume design
Directing
Editing
Sound
Writing*

Patricia Bauer