The Godfather Part III
Movie, 1990, The Corleones, Set in 1979–1980
The Godfather Part III is #3 of 3 in release order and #3 of 3 in chronological order in the The Godfather.
The story
In the midst of trying to legitimize his business dealings in 1979 New York and Italy, aging mafia don, Michael Corleone seeks forgiveness for his sins while taking a young protege under his wing.
The Godfather Part III recap
In 1979, an ageing Michael Corleone has sold his casinos and is trying to make the family legitimate through a charitable foundation, which honours him at a ceremony at the Vatican. He seeks to buy a controlling stake in Immobiliare, a real estate company tied to the Vatican Bank. Archbishop Gilday, who runs the bank and is in debt, is part of the deal. Vincent Mancini, Sonny's illegitimate son, is quick-tempered and ambitious, and Michael takes him in. Vincent starts a romance with Michael's daughter Mary, his own cousin. Joey Zasa, who took over the family's New York business, opposes Michael, and a helicopter attack kills most of the bosses at a meeting. Michael suffers a diabetic stroke. He confesses Fredo's murder to Cardinal Lamberto, who becomes Pope John Paul I.
The Godfather Part III ending explained
Michael names Vincent as head of the family on the condition that he ends things with Mary. At the opera in Palermo, where Michael's son Anthony sings, assassins kill Michael's enemies across Italy, including Gilday, but the new Pope is poisoned. On the opera house steps, an assassin shoots at Michael and kills Mary. Years later, the elderly Michael dies alone in a garden in Sicily.
Post-credits scenes
No. There is no post-credits scene.
Where to watch The Godfather Part III
The Godfather Part III is streaming on Prime Video in the US. You can rent or buy it on Amazon, Apple TV, and Plex.
Ratings
IMDb 7.5/10, Rotten Tomatoes 67%
Where it fits
- Release order: after The Godfather Part II, the latest.
- Chronological order: after The Godfather Part II, the last.
What to watch before The Godfather Part III
In release order, the essentials before The Godfather Part III (1990) are The Godfather (1972) and The Godfather Part II (1974).
Cast
- Al Pacino as Michael Corleone
- Diane Keaton as Kay Adams
- Talia Shire as Connie Corleone Rizzi
- Andy Garcia as Vincent Mancini
- Eli Wallach as Don Altobello
- Joe Mantegna as Joey Zasa
- George Hamilton as B.J. Harrison
- Bridget Fonda as Grace Hamilton
- Sofia Coppola as Mary Corleone
- Raf Vallone as Cardinal Lamberto
- Franc D'Ambrosio as Anthony Corleone
- Donal Donnelly as Archbishop Gilday
Directed by Francis Ford Coppola.