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The Godfather (1972)

 -  Crime | Drama  -  24 March 1972 (USA)
9.2
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Ratings: 9.2/10 from 690,791 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 30 wins & 19 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:

| |

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

The Location for the assassination of Sonny Corleone was filmed at the old Outerbridge Toll Booth on Staten Island, New York. See more »

Goofs

In several scenes wine bottles are shown with the DOC Italian wine classification designation shown on the bottle. DOC designations did not come in effect until 1963. 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 Chuck: Chuck Versus the Colonel (2009) See more »

Soundtracks

"Mall Wedding Sequence"
(1972)
Music by Carmine Coppola
See more »

Frequently Asked Questions

See more (Spoiler Alert!) »

User Reviews

 
The world inside the underworld!
4 July 2005 | by (United States) – See all my reviews

The godfather trilogy is an exclusive set of movies that will continue to live with humanity, every generation will see them to say, "Oh that was 10 out of 10." If you watch them you will know that the world that lives inside the underworld is same as the one we live in except that people in underworld are so smart, in fact smartness is the only thing that can keep them there. Don Vito Caroleone's early life shown in part-II is very well done to show the Don in making, how a kid who couldn't even tell his name went on becoming a underworld don who keep most senators, judges and lawyers in his pocket. Meeting of don with the so call five families are among most impressive scenes.

A saga that goes on for 9 continuous hours takes you around various walks in life of Mike (Don's younger son who become Don later), his school days, love life, personal life, family life, business life, political life and religious life. How all of these different roles Mike plays in his life and how intertwined these are.

I enjoyed watching these movies so much, I wish I had seen them much before then I did. Its amazing to see how the Part-III was made 18 years later the part-I was made and everything looks so continuous if watch them together.

I need not say much! The Godfather father trilogy been around for a while and everyone knows that they are great set of movies, its just the matter of when you actually get to see them.

Watch them! Kudos to Francis Ford Coppola! -Vishy


220 of 352 people found this review helpful.  Was this review helpful to you?

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