Guide Note

The Godfather trilogy tells the story of several generations in the fictional Corleone mafia family. The films chronicle the development of Michael Corleone from World War II hero into reluctant mob boss. The story of family patriarch Vito Corleone is also told in the first two films.

Fast Facts

1. Starring: Marlon Brando, Al Pacino, Robert De Niro, Robert Duvall, James Caan, Diane Keaton and Andy Garcia
2. Original Novel by Mario Puzo
3. Director: Francis Ford Coppola
4. Studio: Paramount Pictures
5. 1972: The Godfather
6. 1974: The Godfather: Part II
7. 1990: The Godfather: Part III

In the first Godfather film, Vito Corleone refuses to operate the expanding drug trade in his business, and his competitors attempt to assassinate him. His son, Michael Corleone, is forced to avenge his father and take control of the family business, despite his reluctance to engage in organized crime. He promises his wife, Kay, to legitimize the Corleone family within several years, but this promise becomes hard to keep.

The film won Best Picture at the 1973 Academy Awards and made Al Pacino a household name. Marlon Brando won Best Actor for his portrayal of Vito Corleone.

Francis Ford Coppola did not want to make a sequel to The Godfather, but agreed once Paramount offered funding of his other 1974 film, The Conversation. The film chronicles the Corleone family's move to Nevada and Michael's tightening grip on power. The film also contains flashbacks to the life of young Vito Corleone, played by Robert De Niro. De Niro and Brando are the only actors to both win Academy Awards for playing the same fictional character.

An aging Michael Corleone attempts to legitimize his family business, while protecting his daughter from the advances of Vincent Mancini.

Coppola resisted making a third film in the trilogy, but agreed because of a desire to have a financial success. Sofia Coppola was cast as Mary Corleone and her oft-criticized performance is frequently used as evidence of the film's inferiority to the previous two. Both Julia Roberts and Madonna wanted the role of Mary Corleone, and Winona Ryder was set to take the part before dropping out due to illness.

• "I'll make him an offer he can't refuse."
• "Leave the gun. Take the cannolis."
• "I know it was you, Fredo. You broke my heart. You broke my heart."
• "Just when I thought I was out, they pull me back in."

Marlon Brando | Al Pacino | Robert De Niro | Francis Ford Coppola | Robert Duvall | Diane Keaton | James Caan | AFI Top 100 Films List