Mario Puzo's novel The Godfather was a best-seller many times over when filming began in 1971. Controversy and turmoil surrounded the announcement of the project; protests were lodged by the Italian-American Civil Rights League and by Senators, Congressmen and New York State legislators. Bomb threats and actual intimidation took place. But meetings were held to reassure many of the discontented parties. [and negotiations reassured many of the querulous, who were convinced] Former foes became allies who agreed to participate in the making of the movie.
It was the task of producer Albert S. Ruddy and director Francis Ford Coppola to assemble the brilliant cast. Marlon Brando was one of the many distinguished actors being considered for the role of Don Vito Corleone, but the feeling for him was not uniformly positive. So eager was Brando for the part that he improvised props and makeup, darkening the shadows under his eyes with shoe polish and stuffing his cheeks with tissue for a privately filmed [Kleenex, and filmed a private] screen test. His classic characterization is one of moviedom's most memorable.
Glamorous and renowned contenders for the crucial supporting roles of the sons were ruled out in favor of lesser-known, more authentic-looking actors: James Caan, John Cazale and young Al Pacino, who skyrocketed to fame with his portrayal of Michael Corleone. [Later] in PART II, surprise choice Robert De Niro turned in an Oscar-winning performance as the young Vito Corleone. Robert Duvall, Talia Shire, Diane Keaton, Lee Strasberg, Morgana King and many others etched their portraits with great skill to contribute to the epic films. The tradition of impeccable casting continued in Part III, made 18 years after the first Godfather saga. Al Pacino, Diane Keaton and Talia Shire reprised their original roles. Andy Garcia gave an Oscar-nominated performance as ambitious young firebrand Vincent Mancini. Sofia Coppola, Eli Wallach, Joe Mantegna and others in the unerring cast provided compellingly effective portrayals.
This care in casting extended to the smaller roles and even the extras, all of whom were coached in the atmosphere, mannerisms and attitudes of the times being filmed. In addition, meticulous attention to details of setting, place and time made the films models of depth and subtlety. Great care was taken to obtain correct costumes, props, cars and even properly-dated posters and handbills.
"It was my intention," says director-producer-screenwriter Coppola, "to make this an authentic piece of film about gangsters who were Italian, how they lived, how they behaved, the way they treated their families, celebrated their rituals." Coppola and Puzo collaborated on the three films' scripts, faithfully maintaining the spirit and complexity of THE GODFATHER.
The rhythm of the film is called by Coppola "legato, rather than staccato," easily flowing and building as the stories are developed. This cohesiveness is no small accomplishment, as the chronicle deals with three generations, encompassing literally hundreds of characters and complicated story lines.
THE GODFATHER was nominated for ten Academy Awards, and won three for "Best Picture of 1972," "Best Actor" (Brando) and "Best Screenplay"
THE GODFATHER PART II captured twelve Academy Award nominations, and won six Oscars, including "Best Picture of 1974," "Best Supporting Actor" (De Niro), "Best Director" and "Best Screenplay"
THE GODFATHER PART III added to the legacy with seven Academy Award nominations, including "Best Picture of 1990.) It also introduced the saga to filmgoers who were toddlers or not even born when the first film was released. The series that had captured the imaginations of Americans almost 20 years earlier reconfirmed its lasting appeal by entertaining both its original fans and a new generation of viewers.
The Story: An Overview
THE YOUNG VITOEight-year-old Vito Corleone, the lone survivor of a family cut-down in a Sicilian vendetta, is smuggled into New Yorks's Little Italy at the turn of the century. When he reaches manhood, Vito (De Niro) returns to Italy to avenge the murder of his family. Back in New York, Vito works his way to the top of the organized-crime world. Feared and respected, Don Vito is known by all as the Godfather.
THE OLD VITO: A Patriarch of CrimeAging Don Vito Corleone (Brando) rules his empire with the aid of his four sons: quick-tempered Sonny (Caan), weak Fredo (Cazale), Ivy League-educated Michael (Pacino) and adopted son Tom Hagen (Duvall). Don Vito refuses to join the five ruling Families in the narcotics trade, touching off a gang war.
THE NEXT GENERATIONSonny takes over the Family when the Godfather is wounded in an ambush. Michael, who wanted to avoid a life of crime, kills to avenge his father and escapes to Sicily. There he marries, but his wife is killed when rivals try to assassinate him. Sonny beats up Carlo (Russo), the abusive husband of his sister Connie (Shire). In retaliation, Carlo arranges Sonny's murder. Heartbroken, Don Vito agrees to join in the drug trade. Michael returns to New York, marries his college sweetheart (Keaton) and promises her he'll make the Family business legitimate.
MICHAEL: The New DonDon Vito dies of a stroke. In a grab for power, Michael kills of the heads of the other New York crime Families and becomes the new, even more powerful Godfather. Michael moves to Nevada and muscles in on the gambling business. Attempting to expand operations into Cuba, Michael is double-crossed by his partner Hyman Roth (Strasberg) and his brother Fredo. Michael omnipotent, he gets a U.S. Senate hearing on organized crime dismissed and has both Roth and Fredo killed. Distraught over his ruthlessness, Kay leaves Michael.
A NEW FORCE IN THE FAMILYIn 1979, the Catholic Church honors Michael, now a legitimate billionaire businessman, for his charitable work. The family reunites for the celebration. Hot-headed Vincent (Garcia), Sonny's illegitimate son, is take into the family business. An Atlantic City conclave of Michael's associates is attacked by revenge-minded Joey Zasa (Mantegna). The cycle of retribution Michael hoped to avoid begins anew. Michael's European venture goes sour, turning the operatic debut of his son Anthony (D'Ambrosio) into a bloody vendetta that results in the murder of daughter Mary (Coppola). Michael dies. Vincent is now the Godfather.
"If you work with the same group of people for over 20 or 30 years, they become an important part of your life. Certainly, in The Godfather Trilogy, using old collaborators who knew each other over many years, who had worked together and learned together, had to give some flavor that would strongly influence the theme...because finally it is a film about a family being made by a family" —Francis Ford Copolla
It was the task of producer Albert S. Ruddy and director Francis Ford Coppola to assemble the brilliant cast. Marlon Brando was one of the many distinguished actors being considered for the role of Don Vito Corleone, but the feeling for him was not uniformly positive. So eager was Brando for the part that he improvised props and makeup, darkening the shadows under his eyes with shoe polish and stuffing his cheeks with tissue for a privately filmed [Kleenex, and filmed a private] screen test. His classic characterization is one of moviedom's most memorable.
Glamorous and renowned contenders for the crucial supporting roles of the sons were ruled out in favor of lesser-known, more authentic-looking actors: James Caan, John Cazale and young Al Pacino, who skyrocketed to fame with his portrayal of Michael Corleone. [Later] in PART II, surprise choice Robert De Niro turned in an Oscar-winning performance as the young Vito Corleone. Robert Duvall, Talia Shire, Diane Keaton, Lee Strasberg, Morgana King and many others etched their portraits with great skill to contribute to the epic films. The tradition of impeccable casting continued in Part III, made 18 years after the first Godfather saga. Al Pacino, Diane Keaton and Talia Shire reprised their original roles. Andy Garcia gave an Oscar-nominated performance as ambitious young firebrand Vincent Mancini. Sofia Coppola, Eli Wallach, Joe Mantegna and others in the unerring cast provided compellingly effective portrayals.
This care in casting extended to the smaller roles and even the extras, all of whom were coached in the atmosphere, mannerisms and attitudes of the times being filmed. In addition, meticulous attention to details of setting, place and time made the films models of depth and subtlety. Great care was taken to obtain correct costumes, props, cars and even properly-dated posters and handbills.
"It was my intention," says director-producer-screenwriter Coppola, "to make this an authentic piece of film about gangsters who were Italian, how they lived, how they behaved, the way they treated their families, celebrated their rituals." Coppola and Puzo collaborated on the three films' scripts, faithfully maintaining the spirit and complexity of THE GODFATHER.
The rhythm of the film is called by Coppola "legato, rather than staccato," easily flowing and building as the stories are developed. This cohesiveness is no small accomplishment, as the chronicle deals with three generations, encompassing literally hundreds of characters and complicated story lines.
THE GODFATHER was nominated for ten Academy Awards, and won three for "Best Picture of 1972," "Best Actor" (Brando) and "Best Screenplay"
THE GODFATHER PART II captured twelve Academy Award nominations, and won six Oscars, including "Best Picture of 1974," "Best Supporting Actor" (De Niro), "Best Director" and "Best Screenplay"
THE GODFATHER PART III added to the legacy with seven Academy Award nominations, including "Best Picture of 1990.) It also introduced the saga to filmgoers who were toddlers or not even born when the first film was released. The series that had captured the imaginations of Americans almost 20 years earlier reconfirmed its lasting appeal by entertaining both its original fans and a new generation of viewers.
The Story: An Overview
THE YOUNG VITOEight-year-old Vito Corleone, the lone survivor of a family cut-down in a Sicilian vendetta, is smuggled into New Yorks's Little Italy at the turn of the century. When he reaches manhood, Vito (De Niro) returns to Italy to avenge the murder of his family. Back in New York, Vito works his way to the top of the organized-crime world. Feared and respected, Don Vito is known by all as the Godfather.
THE OLD VITO: A Patriarch of CrimeAging Don Vito Corleone (Brando) rules his empire with the aid of his four sons: quick-tempered Sonny (Caan), weak Fredo (Cazale), Ivy League-educated Michael (Pacino) and adopted son Tom Hagen (Duvall). Don Vito refuses to join the five ruling Families in the narcotics trade, touching off a gang war.
THE NEXT GENERATIONSonny takes over the Family when the Godfather is wounded in an ambush. Michael, who wanted to avoid a life of crime, kills to avenge his father and escapes to Sicily. There he marries, but his wife is killed when rivals try to assassinate him. Sonny beats up Carlo (Russo), the abusive husband of his sister Connie (Shire). In retaliation, Carlo arranges Sonny's murder. Heartbroken, Don Vito agrees to join in the drug trade. Michael returns to New York, marries his college sweetheart (Keaton) and promises her he'll make the Family business legitimate.
MICHAEL: The New DonDon Vito dies of a stroke. In a grab for power, Michael kills of the heads of the other New York crime Families and becomes the new, even more powerful Godfather. Michael moves to Nevada and muscles in on the gambling business. Attempting to expand operations into Cuba, Michael is double-crossed by his partner Hyman Roth (Strasberg) and his brother Fredo. Michael omnipotent, he gets a U.S. Senate hearing on organized crime dismissed and has both Roth and Fredo killed. Distraught over his ruthlessness, Kay leaves Michael.
A NEW FORCE IN THE FAMILYIn 1979, the Catholic Church honors Michael, now a legitimate billionaire businessman, for his charitable work. The family reunites for the celebration. Hot-headed Vincent (Garcia), Sonny's illegitimate son, is take into the family business. An Atlantic City conclave of Michael's associates is attacked by revenge-minded Joey Zasa (Mantegna). The cycle of retribution Michael hoped to avoid begins anew. Michael's European venture goes sour, turning the operatic debut of his son Anthony (D'Ambrosio) into a bloody vendetta that results in the murder of daughter Mary (Coppola). Michael dies. Vincent is now the Godfather.
"If you work with the same group of people for over 20 or 30 years, they become an important part of your life. Certainly, in The Godfather Trilogy, using old collaborators who knew each other over many years, who had worked together and learned together, had to give some flavor that would strongly influence the theme...because finally it is a film about a family being made by a family" —Francis Ford Copolla
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