Partially based on puzos 1969 novel the godfather, the film is both sequel and prequel to the godfather. The roman catholic church names michael a commander of the order of saint sebastian. Moving through the deep shadows and heavy glooms of his vast estate, michael corleone presides over the destruction of his own spirit in the godfather, part ii. Small sub plot where jonny fontaine asks for a favour, and the godfathers advisorlawyeradopted son hagen goes to the house of woltz a film producer and is very persuasive on jonnys behalf including chopping up his favourite horse.
The godfather part iii is a 1990 american crime film written by mario puzo and francis ford coppola, and directed by coppola. The godfather part ii presents two parallel storylines. Learn more about the godfather with a detailed plot summary and plot diagram. Could someone please explain the plot of godfather ii to. It completes the story of michael corleone, a mafia kingpin who tries to legitimize his criminal empire. See a complete list of the characters in the godfather trilogy and indepth analyses of vito corleone, michael corleone, kay adams, tom hagen, and sonny corleone. The godfather, part ii 1974 rotten tomatoes movie trailers. I started with the first one on tuesday, but i didnt finish it until thursday because of homework and sleeping and all those other things that get in the way of movie watching, and its a fairly long movie. The godfather 1972 movie summary and film synopsis on mhm. Michael seems to be uninterested in being a part of the family business.
It often follows suit in lists of greatest films ever and has gone down in history as the best sequel of all time. He and tom hagen robert duvall, the corleone family lawyer, are hearing requests for favors because, according to. This is another lynch pin scene to the essential degree of. Francis ford coppolas legendary continuation and sequel to his landmark 1972 film, the godfather, parallels the young vito corleones rise with his son michaels spiritual fall, deepening the godfather s depiction of the dark side of the american dream. One involves mafia chief michael corleone in 19581959 after the events of the first movie. Ruddy, based on mario puzo s bestselling novel of the same name. Michael corleone is now a legitimate business man with his old criminal enterprises under joey zasas control. The movie also weaves into its plot a fictionalized account of reallife events the 1978 death of pope john paul i and the papal banking scandal of 19811982. It stars marlon brando and al pacino as the father and son of a fictional new york crime family.
It is the second installment in the godfather trilogy. Johnny wants a plum role in a movie, but the studio head, jack woltz, wont give it to him. The godfather, american gangster epic film, released in 1972, that was adapted from the 1969 bestselling novel by mario puzo and has been regarded as a masterpiece since its release. Im not sure if id go so far to say i wouldnt have chosen it as best picture, but i might because i really love chinatown which was also nominated from 74. The godfather, part iii takes up the saga of michael corleone in 1979, as the now guiltridden sixtyyearold don is receiving the order of san sebastian, the highest honor the catholic church can bestow upon a layman. It opens inside the dark office of the family patriarch, don vito corleone also known as the godfather and played by brando, on the wedding day of his daughter, connie talia shire. The other examines vitos early years in sicily and new york. Why the godfather, part ii is the best of the trilogy far. Have an open mind and see this film if you get the chance. Vito marlon brando, the head of the corleone mafia family, is known to friends and associates as godfather. Popularly viewed as one of the best american films ever made, the multigenerational crime saga the godfather is a touchstone of cinema. Biggest plot hole in godfather ii, and probably the whole trilogy posted by jim rockford on 814 at 2. Aug 29, 2018 generally speaking, the first godfather film can be considered flashier than the second, but when it comes to some of the series most valuable traits such as its stirring revelations, the impact of michael listening to fredo reveal himself accidentally as the family traitor in part ii is by no means any less shocking than that of the don. The godfather 2 study guide contains a biography of francis ford coppola, literature essays, quiz questions, major themes, characters, and a full summary and analysis.
Michael corleone al pacino is now approaching 60 and feels tremendous guilt for indulging in his ruthless. Marlon brando and al pacino star as vito corleone and his youngest son, michael, respectively. Could someone please explain the plot of godfather ii to me. Approaching 60, michael thinks about his legacy and his regrets. Francis coppolas breathtakingly ambitious prequelsequel to his first godfather movie is as gripping as ever. Michael kills all his mafia enemies including his brotherinlaw in nyc during his godsons baptism.
Part ii 1974, plus mistakes, quotes, trivia and more. Part ii was the first sequel to win an academy award for best picture. Part iii takes place in the year 1979 roughly 22 years since the events of the godfather ii. If the movie is 120 pages, it would come closer to page 90. The godfather 2 shuttles back and forth constantly from past and present, contrasting the life of vito corleone in the early twentieth century, from his humble beginnings through his ascent into power, with that of his son michael corleone in the second half of the twentieth century, whose influence is declining. Part iii takes place in the year 1979 with don michael corleone turning over a new leaf at the tender age of 60. The godfather begins with don vito corleonethe head of the corleone mafia family in new york. Starts at connies wedding, the godfather is granting various favours. Movie and character low points should be end of the second act. The godfather don vito corleone is the head of the corleone mafia family in new york. In august 1945, during the lavish wedding reception of his daughter connie, don vito corleone, head of a large new york crime family and godfather to the italianamerican community, listens to requests for favors, honoring a longstanding sicilian tradition that a father cannot refuse a request on his daughters wedding day.
Michael, vitos youngest son and a decorated ww ii marine is also present at the wedding. Why the godfather, part ii is the best of the trilogy. The early life and career of vito corleone in 1920s new york city is portrayed, while his son, michael, expands and tightens his grip on the family crime syndicate. Generally speaking, the first godfather film can be considered flashier than the second, but when it comes to some of the series most valuable traits such as its stirring revelations, the impact of michael listening to fredo reveal himself accidentally as the family traitor in part ii is by no means any less shocking than that of the don realizing who his true enemy had been all along in. This unexpected triumph led many to wonder whether, 16 years later, coppola could pull it. The godfather, part ii movie quotes rotten tomatoes. Part ii frankie pentangeli tells tom a story about the roman empire and then he kills himself. Small sub plot where jonny fontaine asks for a favour, and the godfather s advisorlawyeradopted son hagen goes to the house of woltz a film producer and is very persuasive on jonnys behalf including chopping up his favourite horse. Biggest plot hole in godfather ii, and probably the whole trilogy. In late summer 1945, guests are gathered for the wedding reception of don vito corleones daughter connie talia shire and carlo rizzi gianni russo. Biggest plot hole in godfather ii, and probably the whole. The godfather is a 1972 american crime film directed by francis ford coppola and produced by albert s. Heres where youll find analysis of the film as a whole, from themes and symbols to key facts.
He and tom hagen robert duvall, the corleone family lawyer, are hearing requests for favors because, according to italian tradition, no sicilian can refuse a request on his daughters wedding day. The movie begins in 1979, with a brief flashback establishing the long and tragic history of criminal activity within, and by, the corleone family. Feb 15, 20 despite my personal problems with the film, the godfather part ii is a great film that is a must see just as much as the godfather is. Id like to add something i read once about godfather part ii. Vitos youngest son, michael pacino, who has distanced himself from the family. He sells off all the casinos, and then hands the family business over to a younger mobster named joey zasa joe mantegna in an attempt to go legit as a honest businessman. Michael lies to his american wife, telling her he did not kill his brotherinlaw. The godfather part ii became the first movie sequel to win the academy award for best picture. Partially based on puzos 1969 novel, the film is in part both a sequel and a prequel to the godfather, presenting two parallel dramas. Francis ford coppolas legendary continuation and sequel to his landmark 1972 film, the godfather, parallels the young vito corleones rise with his son michaels spiritual fall, deepening the godfathers depiction of the dark side of the american dream. Read a plot overview of the entire film or a scene by scene summary and analysis. I watched the godfather films for the first time a couple years ago. While he seems quite disinterested in the familys business, the family business is interested in him.
You see, what makes it such a compelling film is that it shows how in an earlier time in america, you could prosper financially while keeping strong family bonds, while after wwii, the force of capitalism became so great it could tear a family apart. Its creative cinematography, haunting score, and unforgettable performances by such actors as marlon brando and al pacino made the multigenerational saga an. A sequel surpasses the original in many regards, the godfather part 2 is a haunting tale of betrayal, revenge and deception that is brought to life thanks to francis ford coppalas amazing. The godfather is simply more than just a mafia film in my opinion. Michael corleone al pacino is now approaching 60 and feels tremendous guilt for indulging in his ruthless ambition many years ago.
It is the first installment in the godfather trilogy. Al pacino, james caan, diane keaton, talia shire and robert duvall join marlon brando, who gives an unforgettable, careerreviving performance as don vito corleone. It is a story about a complex family, fathers and sons, human nature, and the thirst for power and respect. At the end of the movie, michael is literally becoming the godfather to connies child while also becoming the godfather to the corleone family, sealing his position with blood theres a heavy irony in the scene, as michael stands in church saying that he renounces satan and all his works while a massacre that he ordered progresses in the world outside. Who left the drapes open in michaels bedroom the night of the assassination attempt. Robert dineros portrayal of a young vito corleone was superb. Michael is told of the death of his brother sonny, and the very next watches as his new wife apollonia is blown to bits in a bomb meant for him. Most actors from the godfather returned in their original roles, including talia shire as connie corleone, but strasberg, a renowned acting teacher, made his film debut in the movie. The main storyline, following the events of the first film. In august 1945, during the lavish wedding reception of his daughter connie, don vito corleone, head of a large new york crime family and godfather to the italianamerican community, listens to requests for favors, honoring a longstanding sicilian tradition that a father cannot refuse a.
The opening shot is of michael corleone, now godfather, having his ring finger kissed. The godfather 1972 plot summary 6 the aging patriarch of an organized crime dynasty transfers control of his clandestine empire to his reluctant son. The godfather 2 study guide contains a biography of francis ford coppola, literature essays, quiz questions, major themes, characters, and a. The film begins with a flashback to 1901, where the grisly massacre of the. At his daughters wedding, vitos youngest son a decorated wwii marine, michael attends as well. The character we recall from the godfather as the best and brightest of don vitos sons, the one who went to college and enlisted in the marines, grows into a cold and ruthless man, obsessed with power. This outline relates the scenes in the order in which they occur in the movie. Why did frank pentangeli kill himself in godfather 2. The american film institute afi has the godfather listed at number two in 2008 as one of the greatest films in american culture today. I got them all out of the library and watched them over the course of the week. The godfather is set in the 1940s and takes place entirely within the world of the corleones, a fictional new york mafia family. Nov 29, 2017 194 videos play all the godfather 1972 full movie the shawshank redemption 1994 full hd movie the godfather the tragedy of succession duration. In between coping with mafia plotters, crooked vatican officials, and cutthroat european businessmen, michael faces trouble on. In the former storyline, set in the 1950s, michael has moved the family and his base of operations to nevada, seeking to expand.