The Godfather
Movie, 1972, The Corleones, Set in 1945–1955
The Godfather is #1 of 3 in release order and #1 of 3 in chronological order in the The Godfather.
The story
Spanning the years 1945 to 1955, a chronicle of the fictional Italian-American Corleone crime family. When organized crime family patriarch, Vito Corleone barely survives an attempt on his life, his youngest son, Michael steps in to take care of the would-be killers, launching a campaign of bloody revenge.
The Godfather recap
In 1945, at his daughter Connie's wedding, Vito Corleone, head of a powerful New York crime family, grants favours to those who ask. His youngest son Michael, a Marine back from the war, brings his girlfriend Kay Adams and tells her he wants nothing to do with the family business. Drug dealer Virgil Sollozzo, backed by the Tattaglia family, asks Vito to protect his narcotics business; Vito refuses, and Sollozzo has him shot. Vito survives. Michael, visiting the hospital, finds Vito unguarded and saves him from a second attempt. He then volunteers to kill Sollozzo and his protector, a corrupt police captain, and does so in a restaurant. He hides in Sicily, where he marries a local girl, Apollonia, who is killed by a car bomb meant for him. In New York, his hot-headed brother Sonny is gunned down at a toll booth.
The Godfather ending explained
Michael returns, marries Kay and takes over the family. Vito dies of a heart attack in his garden. During his nephew's baptism, Michael's men kill the heads of the other families and the traitor Moe Greene, and Michael has Connie's abusive husband Carlo, who set up Sonny, murdered. Michael lies to Kay, saying he had nothing to do with it, and she watches the door close as his men pay him respect.
Post-credits scenes
No. There is no post-credits scene.
Where to watch The Godfather
The Godfather is streaming on Prime Video and Paramount+ in the US. You can rent or buy it on Amazon, Apple TV, and Google Play.
Ratings
IMDb 9.2/10, Rotten Tomatoes 97%
Where it fits
- Release order: first, before The Godfather Part II.
- Chronological order: first, before The Godfather Part II.
What to watch before The Godfather
Nothing. The Godfather is the first of the The Godfather essentials, so it's the place to start.
Cast
- Marlon Brando as Don Vito Corleone
- Al Pacino as Michael Corleone
- James Caan as Sonny Corleone
- Robert Duvall as Tom Hagen
- Richard S. Castellano as Clemenza
- Diane Keaton as Kay Adams
- Talia Shire as Connie Corleone Rizzi
- Gianni Russo as Carlo Rizzi
- Sterling Hayden as Captain McCluskey
- John Marley as Jack Woltz
- Richard Conte as Barzini
- Al Lettieri as Sollozzo
Directed by Francis Ford Coppola.