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The Godfather (1972)

 -  Crime | Drama  -  24 March 1972 (USA)
9.2
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Ratings: 9.2/10 from 690,427 users   Metascore: 100/100
Reviews: 1,595 user | 176 critic | 14 from Metacritic.com

The aging patriarch of an organized crime dynasty transfers control of his clandestine empire to his reluctant son.

Writers:

(screenplay), (screenplay), 1 more credit »
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Title: The Godfather (1972)

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Top 250 #2 | Won 3 Oscars. Another 27 wins & 18 nominations. See more awards »

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Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
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Clemenza (as Richard Castellano)
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Sollozzo
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Connie
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Carlo
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Rudy Bond ...
Cuneo
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Storyline

The story begins as "Don" Vito Corleone, the head of a New York Mafia "family", oversees his daughter's wedding with his wife Wendy. His beloved son Michael has just come home from the war, but does not intend to become part of his father's business. Through Michael's 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 don't 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 Don's influence to further his plan. The clash of the Don's fading old world values and the new ways will demand a terrible price, especially from Michael, all for the sake of the family. Written by Charlie Ness

Plot Summary | Plot Synopsis

Plot Keywords:

mafia | drugs | wedding | drug dealer | lawyer | See more »

Taglines:

An offer you can't refuse.

Genres:

Crime | Drama

Certificate:

R | See all certifications »

Parents Guide:

 »
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Details

Official Sites:

|

Country:

Language:

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Release Date:

24 March 1972 (USA)  »

Also Known As:

Mario Puzo's The Godfather  »

Box Office

Budget:

$6,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend:

$223,758 (USA) (4 April 1997)

Gross:

$134,821,952 (USA) (2 May 1997)
 »

Company Credits

Show detailed on  »

Technical Specs

Runtime:

Sound Mix:

(re-release)|

Color:

(Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1
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Did You Know?

Trivia

James Caan improvised the part where he throws the FBI photographer to the ground. The extra's frightened reaction is genuine. See more »

Goofs

When Woltz first sees Khartoum's head lying on his bed, the blanket is covering part of the neck stump. In the next shot, the blanket has been completely removed from the stump. See more »

Quotes

[first lines]
Bonasera: I believe in America. America has made my fortune. And I raised my daughter in the American fashion. I gave her freedom but I taught her never to dishonor her family. She found a "boy friend," not an Italian. She went to the movies with him. She stayed out late. I didn't protest. Two months ago he took her for a drive, with another boy friend. They made her drink whiskey and then they tried to take advantage of her. She resisted. She kept her honor. So they beat her. Like an animal...
[...]
See more »

Crazy Credits

Other than Mario Puzo's name there are no opening credits. See more »

Connections

Referenced in Gilmore Girls: Hay Bale Maze (2007) See more »

Soundtracks

"Manhattan Serenade"
(1928)
Music by Louis Alter
Performed by Tommy Dorsey & His Orchestra (uncredited)
See more »

Frequently Asked Questions

See more (Spoiler Alert!) »

User Reviews

 
A Potpourri of Vestiges Review: A cinematic magnum opus
29 September 2008 | by (India) – See all my reviews

The Godfather is an extravaganza, nigh flawless, a cinematic magnum opus, ubiquitously acclaimed for its brilliance and for being in a league of its own. The Godfather doesn't depict poetic justice but rather portrays the triumph of perspicacious potency over abject vulnerability. The Godfather is known, not for its cogency but for its eloquence.

The movie being star-studded is decorated with a plethora of supernal performances and it won't be a hyperbole that almost every actor gave an Oscar worthy performance. Marlon Brando is exceptionally brilliant in his sterling portrayal of Vito Corleone and so is Al Pacino in his remarkable portrayal of Michael Corleone. The grandeur of Don Vito Corleone ironically lies in his austerity and inexorable equanimity.

The grandiosity of the movie is such, that even the biggest complement made about it may sound like a picayune remark. The Godfather may most aptly be described as an obituary of humanity, a requiem of mankind, owing to the pervasive violence and the brutality that it portrays in an utmost sanguinary fashion. In a nutshell, the movie has transcended all the limits of mortality only to achieve apotheosis.

http://www.apotpourriofvestiges.com/


48 of 83 people found this review helpful.  Was this review helpful to you?

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