The Godfather

"The Godfather" (1972), directed by Francis Ford Coppola and based on Mario Puzo's novel, is one of the most celebrated films of all time. It chronicles the rise of Michael Corleone, a reluctant family member drawn into the criminal empire run by his father, Don Vito Corleone. With themes of family loyalty, betrayal, and power, the story presents the dark underbelly of organized crime and the lengths people go to protect those they love.

Plot Summary

Act I: The Corleone Family

The film opens with the wedding of Connie Corleone (Talia Shire), daughter of Don Vito Corleone (Marlon Brando), head of the Corleone crime family, also known as "The Godfather." At the wedding, guests come to Don Vito to ask favors, as is customary in Italian culture. Among the visitors are Luca Brasi (Lenny Montana), a loyal enforcer; Johnny Fontane (Al Martino), a popular singer and Vito’s godson; and Bonasera, an undertaker seeking vengeance against the men who attacked his daughter.

Don Vito’s youngest son, Michael Corleone (Al Pacino), attends the wedding with his girlfriend, Kay Adams (Diane Keaton). Unlike his older brothers Sonny (James Caan) and Fredo (John Cazale), Michael has distanced himself from the family business and served as a Marine in World War II. Michael tells Kay that he is different from his family and does not want to be involved in their criminal empire.

The Sollozzo Deal and Attack on Vito

A drug dealer named Virgil "The Turk" Sollozzo (Al Lettieri) approaches the Corleone family, seeking funding and political connections to protect his drug business. Vito, who disapproves of drug trafficking, declines the offer, fearing it will lead to trouble with political allies.

Seeing the Corleones as an obstacle, Sollozzo conspires with the Tattaglia family, one of the Corleones' rivals, to take out Vito. In a carefully orchestrated attack, Vito is shot multiple times on the street, but he survives. This incident marks the beginning of a bitter mob war, as Sonny takes temporary control of the family while Vito recovers. Michael, who had hoped to stay uninvolved, is slowly pulled into the family's conflicts.

Michael's Transformation

Michael visits his father in the hospital and finds that all the guards have mysteriously left, making Vito vulnerable to another attack. Realizing this, Michael moves his father to a different room and stands guard alone, showing his dedication to the family. With help from a nurse, he prevents a second assassination attempt, cementing his loyalty to his family.

In the following days, Michael proposes a daring plan to eliminate Sollozzo and his corrupt police partner, Captain McCluskey (Sterling Hayden), who assaulted Michael at the hospital. Initially dismissed, Michael's idea is ultimately supported by the family, and he agrees to carry out the hit personally.

At a tense dinner meeting, Michael kills Sollozzo and McCluskey, cementing his involvement in the family’s criminal activities. He flees to Sicily for safety, where he lives in exile and falls in love with Apollonia (Simonetta Stefanelli), a young Sicilian woman whom he eventually marries.

Family Tensions and Losses

Back in New York, tensions continue to rise within the Corleone family. Sonny, known for his hot temper, savagely beats Connie's husband, Carlo (Gianni Russo), after discovering that Carlo has been abusing Connie. In retaliation, Carlo arranges a trap with the rival mob family, and Sonny is ambushed and brutally killed at a toll booth in a hail of gunfire. This loss devastates Vito and the entire Corleone family.

Michael’s wife, Apollonia, is later killed in Sicily in a car bombing meant for him, which only deepens his resolve. Heartbroken and hardened, Michael returns to America, ready to take on a more active role in the family’s operations.

Don Vito’s Retirement and Michael’s Rise

Recognizing that Michael is now fully committed, Vito formally retires from the business, allowing Michael to assume control. Vito advises Michael on how to handle the family's business and warns him to be cautious of traitors. In an effort to legitimize the family's business, Michael devises a plan to move operations to Las Vegas, leaving the violence and corruption of New York behind. He also insists that Kay, whom he eventually marries, can believe in his promise that the Corleones will go legitimate.

Don Vito passes away peacefully in his garden while playing with his grandson, Michael’s son. His death leaves a power vacuum in the family, which is complicated by the fact that Don Emilio Barzini (Richard Conte), a rival mob boss, has been conspiring to weaken the Corleones.

The Baptism Murders

In an attempt to consolidate his power, Michael orchestrates a carefully planned series of hits to eliminate all his enemies and establish his dominance once and for all. These attacks coincide with the baptism of Connie and Carlo's child, for whom Michael serves as godfather. While Michael participates in the baptism, reciting vows that renounce evil, his hitmen carry out a massacre, systematically killing the heads of the five major New York crime families, including Barzini and Tattaglia, as well as other enemies.

The Betrayal and Resolution

After the baptism, Michael confronts Carlo, accusing him of conspiring with Barzini to set up Sonny’s murder. Carlo, hoping to be spared, confesses his betrayal, believing Michael’s assurance that he will not be killed. However, once Carlo reveals the details, Michael has him garrotted by Clemenza (Richard S. Castellano), a loyal family capo.

The closing scene reveals Michael as the new Don of the Corleone family, surrounded by his capos as they kiss his hand, acknowledging his position as the new Godfather. Kay, who has been suspicious, confronts Michael about his involvement in the recent murders, but Michael denies any wrongdoing, attempting to maintain an illusion of legitimacy. In the final moments, as Michael’s lieutenants close the door on Kay, the transformation of Michael into his father’s successor is complete.

Themes and Symbolism

• Power and Corruption: Michael’s journey from a reluctant outsider to a ruthless crime boss shows the seductive nature of power and its potential to corrupt even those with initially good intentions.

• Family Loyalty and Betrayal: Loyalty to family is a central theme, often leading characters into moral ambiguity and criminal actions. Betrayals—both within and outside the family—drive the tragic consequences of the Corleones' world.

• Identity and Transformation: Michael’s transformation reflects the conflict between his duty to family and his desire for a different life. His gradual shift from moral idealism to ruthless pragmatism defines the tragedy of his character.

• Legacy and Succession: Vito’s efforts to pass on the family legacy to his sons underscore the theme of generational loyalty and the inevitable pull of family expectations, regardless of personal desires.

Legacy and Impact

The Godfather is not only a defining crime drama but a profound examination of the costs of power and loyalty. Coppola’s masterful direction, combined with the performances of Al Pacino and Marlon Brando, creates an unforgettable story about the complex ties that bind family and power. Its impact on film and culture endures, often cited as one of the greatest films ever made for its nuanced characters, iconic scenes, and haunting portrayal of a morally complex world.