From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
This article is about the 1972 film. For other uses, see
Godfather.
The Godfather is a 1972 crime film based on the 1969 novel of the same name by Mario Puzo and directed by Francis Ford Coppola, with a screenplay by Puzo, Coppola, and an uncredited Robert Towne.[1] It stars Marlon Brando, Al Pacino, James Caan, Robert Duvall and Diane Keaton, and features Richard Castellano, Abe Vigoda and Sterling Hayden. The story spans ten years from 1945 to 1955 and chronicles the Corleone crime family.
The Godfather received Academy Awards for Best Picture, Best Actor, and Best Adapted Screenplay, and has been selected for preservation in the United States National Film Registry. In addition, it is ranked as the second greatest film in American cinematic history, behind Citizen Kane on the AFI's 100 Years... 100 Movies (10th Anniversary Edition) list by the American Film Institute. It is also ranked #1 on Internet Movie Database's Top 250 list,[2] as well as #1 on Metacritic's top 100 list and in the top 10 on Rotten Tomatoes' all-time best list.[3][4]
Two sequels followed The Godfather: The Godfather Part II in 1974, and The Godfather Part III in 1990.
- Marlon Brando as Vito Corleone — the boss (the "Don") of the Corleone family, Formerly known as Vito Andolini. He is the father of Sonny, Fredo, Michael and Connie and surrogate father to Tom Hagen. Husband of Carmella Corleone. A native Sicilian.
- Al Pacino as Michael Corleone — the Don's and Carmella's youngest son, recently returned from military service following the end of World War II. The only college-educated member of the family, he initially wants nothing to do with the Corleone family business. His evolution from doe-eyed outsider to ruthless boss is the key plot-line of the film.
- James Caan as Santino "Sonny" Corleone — Vito and Carmella's hot-headed eldest son; he is being groomed to succeed his father as head of the Corleone family. He is the family's underboss.
- Robert Duvall as Tom Hagen — an informally adopted son of Vito and Carmella Corleone, he is also the family lawyer and the new consigliere (counselor).
- Diane Keaton as Kay Adams — Michael's girlfriend and, ultimately, his wife and mother to his children.
- John Cazale as Fredo Corleone — the middle son of Vito and Carmella Corleone. Fredo is not very bright and appears to be the weakest of the Corleone brothers.
- Talia Shire as Constanzia "Connie" Corleone — Vito and Carmella's only daughter. She marries Carlo Rizzi.
- Richard S. Castellano as Pete Clemenza — a caporegime for the Corleone family.
- Abe Vigoda as Sal Tessio — a caporegime for the Corleone Family.
- Al Lettieri as Virgil "The Turk" Sollozzo — a heroin dealer associated with the Tattaglia family.
- Gianni Russo as Carlo Rizzi — Connie's husband. Becomes an associate of the Corleone family.
- Sterling Hayden as Captain McCluskey — a corrupt police captain on Sollozzo's payroll.
- Lenny Montana as Luca Brasi — an enforcer utilized by Vito Corleone.
- Richard Conte as Emilio Barzini— Don of the Barzini family.
- Al Martino as Johnny Fontane — a world-famous popular singer and godson of Vito.
- John Marley as Jack Woltz — a powerful Hollywood producer.
- Alex Rocco as Moe Greene — longtime associate of the Corleone family who owns a Las Vegas hotel.
- Morgana King as Carmella Corleone — Vito's wife and mother of Sonny, Fredo, Michael and Connie, and surrogate mother to Tom Hagen.
- John Martino as Paulie Gatto — A "button man" (soldier/hit man) under Capo Pete Clemenza and Vito's driver.
- Victor Rendina as Philip Tattaglia— Don of the Tattaglia family.
- Simonetta Stefanelli as Apollonia Vitelli-Corleone — A stunningly beautiful young girl Michael meets while in Sicily.
- Louis Guss as Don Zaluchi — Don of the Zaluchi family of Detroit.
- Tom Rosqui as Rocco Lampone — a caporegime in the Corleone family.
- Joe Spinell as Willi Cicci — a soldier in the Corleone family.
- Richard Bright as Al Neri — Michael Corleone's bodyguard. He eventually becomes a caporegime.
- Julie Gregg as Sandra Corleone — wife of Sonny.
