The Godfather

Based on a Novel by       Mario Puzo

Screenplay by          Mario Puzo

               Francis Ford Coppola

Produced by          Albert S. Ruddy

Directed by          Francis Ford Coppola

Cast List:

Marlon Brando         Don Vito Corleone

Al Pacino       Michael Corleone

James Caan         Sonny Corleone

Harry Dean Stanton      Brett

Richard Castellano      Clemenza

Robert Duvall        Tom Hagen

Sterling Hayden         McCluskey

John Marley         Jack Woltz

Richard Conte       Barzini

Diane Keaton       Kay Adams

John Cazale       Fredo Corleone

FADE FROM BLACK

Int. Don Corleone's home office – day

BONASERA

(seated in front of the Don's desk, facing the camera)

I believe in America. America has made my fortune. And I raised my daughter in the American fashion. I gave her freedom, but – I taught her never to dishonor her family. She found a boyfriend; not an Italian. She went to the movies with him; she stayed out late. I didn't protest. Two months ago, he took her for a drive, with another boyfriend. They made her drink whiskey. And then they tried to take advantage of her. She resisted. She kept her honor. So they beat her, like an animal. When I went to the hospital, her nose was a'broken. Her jaw was a'shutted, held together by wire. She couldn't even weep because of the pain. But I wept. Why did I weep? She was the light of my life – beautiful girl. Now she will never be beautiful again.

Bonasera breaks down. The Don gestures to Sonny to give Bonasera a drink.

BONASERA

Sorry...

Bonasera, taking the drink, sips from the shot glass.

BONASERA

I-I went to the police, like a good American. These two boys were brought to trial. The judge sentenced them to three years in prison – suspended sentence. Suspended sentence! They went free that very day! I stood in the courtroom like a fool. And those two bastard, they smiled at me. Then I said to my wife, "for justice, we must go to Don Corleone."

VITO CORLEONE

(sitting behind his desk, petting a cat)

Why did you go to the police? Why didn't you come to me first?

BONASERA

What do you want of me? Tell me anything. But do what I beg you to do.

VITO CORLEONE

What is that?

Bonasera gets up to whisper his request into Don Corleone's ear.

VITO CORLEONE

That I cannot do.

BONASERA

I'll give you anything you ask.

VITO CORLEONE

We've known each other many years, but this is the first time you came to me for counsel, for help. I can't remember the last time that you invited me to your house for a cup of coffee, even though my wife is godmother to your only child. But let's be frank here: you never wanted my friendship. And uh, you were afraid to be in my debt.

BONASERA

I didn't want to get into trouble.

VITO CORLEONE

I understand. You found paradise in America, had a good trade, made a good living. The police protected you; and there were courts of law. And you didn't need a friend of me. But uh, now you come to me and you say – "Don Corleone give me justice." – But you don't ask with respect. You don't offer friendship. You don't even think to call me Godfather. Instead, you come into my house on the day my daughter is to be married, and you uh ask me to do murder, for money.

BONASERA

I ask you for justice.

VITO CORLEONE

That is not justice; your daughter is still alive.

BONASERA

Then they can suffer then, as she suffers.

(then)

How much shall I pay you?

VITO CORLEONE

(stands, turning his back toward Bonasera)

Bonasera... Bonasera... What have I ever done to make you treat me so disrespectfully? Had you come to me in friendship, then this scum that ruined your daughter would be suffering this very day. And that by chance if an honest man such as yourself should make enemies, then they would become my enemies. And then they would fear you.

BONASERA

Be my friend –

(after bowing and the Don shrugs)

– Godfather?

VITO CORLEONE

(after Bonasera kisses his hand)

Good.

(then)

Some day, and that day may never come, I'll call upon you to do a service for m e. But uh, until that day – accept this justice as a gift on my daughter's wedding day.

BONASERA

(as he leaves the room)

Grazie, Godfather.

VITO CORLEONE

Prego.

(to Tom Hagen, after Bonasera leaves the room)

Ah, give this to ah, Clemenza. I want reliable people; people that aren't gonna be carried away. I'm mean, we're not murderers, despite of what this undertaker says.

CUT TO:

Connie's Wedding reception – Day

We hear the music "Connie's Wedding (The Godfather Tarantella)".

CUT TO:

Connie and Carlo at the head table

CUT TO:

The family gathers for a family portrait

VITO CORLEONE

Where's Michael?

SONNY CORLEONE

Don't worry; it's early.

VITO CORLEONE

We're not taking the picture without Michael

(he tells the photographer, in Italian)

TOM HAGEN

What's the matter, Sonny?

SONNY CORLEONE

It's Michael

The Don meets some guests outside.

Mama dances with Sonny's twin girls.

Connie and Carlo laughs with guest at head table.

Clemenza dances with his wife.

FBI arrives and take license plate numbers.

Tessio sits at a table, tosses himself an orange.

FBI continues to take license plate numbers.

Don Barzini arrives.

VITO CORLEONE

Eh, Don Barzini.

Vito introduces Barzini to someone, in Italian.

Clemenza is dancing, gets tired, and spins off the dancefloor, laughing.

CLEMENZA

(after dancing)

Hey, Paulie! Let me have some wine. Paulie! More wine...

PAULIE (O.S.)

(to someone)

Scusi, please.

(in view, to Clemenza, handing him a pitcher quarter-full of wine)

Hey, you look terrif'' on the dance floor

CLEMENZA

Hey, what are you a dance judge or something? Go take a walk around the neighborhood – do your job.

Sonny pinches Lucy Mancini's cheek as he walks towards his wife, Sandra.

SONNY

Hey Sandra, do me a favor, watch the kids – don't let'em run wild, all right?

SANDRA

Well, you watch yourself, all right?

Reception continues with Part 2 of Connie's Wedding Song (The Godfather Mazurka). We first see Tessio dancing with a young girl standing on his feet.

OFF SCREEN

Eh Tessio...

(something in Italian)

... buona fai.

Don Corleone dances with his wife, Carmella (Mama).

Connie collects gifts for her bridal purse. Paulie is watching.

PAULIE

Twenty... Thirty-grand. In small bills, cash. In that little silk purse. Maron, i f this was someone else's wedding, sweet tonato!

BUTTONMAN

(from afar, tossing him sandwiches)

Hey, Paulie! I got two gavagool? Gabagone?... and a...

PAULIE

Eh, you stupid jerk!

A news photographer takes Barzini's picture. Barzini motions to his men to get the camera.

PHOTOGRAPHER

Eh, what's the matter?

The men bring the camera to Barzini, who removes and crumples the film.

Tom going up to his wife, Theresa, who's sitting at a table at the reception.

TOM

I have to go back to work.

THERESA

Oh, Tom.

TOM

(after he kisses his wife)

It's part of the wedding: No Sicilian can refuse any request on his daughter's wedding day.

LUCA

(rehearsing his lines as Tom passes him)

Don Corleone, I am honored and grateful that you have invited me to your home...

Sonny goes out into the driveway to see the FBI guys. The Mazurka ends.

SONNY

Eh – what – Get outta here; it's a private party, go on!

(then to FBI guy in car)

What's is it? Hey, it's my sister's wedding.

(he spits after being shown a badge, turns and walks away)

Goddamn FBI don't respect nothing jazz music begins to play from party.

(to photographer)

Eh, come here; come here; come here; come here, come here; come here; come here...

(smashes camera, which Paulie kicks, and flips cash to him)

CUT TO:

Nazorine and Enzo in Don Corleone's office – day

NAZORINE

(seated in front of the Don's desk)

But towards the end, he was uh paroled to help with the American uh war effort. So for the last six months he's been working in my pastry shop.

VITO CORLEONE

(seated)

Nazorine, my friend, what can I do for you?

NAZORINE

Well now that the war is over, this boy, Enzo – they want to repatriate him back to Italy. Godfather, I have a daughter. You see, she and Enzo...

VITO CORLEONE

You want Enzo to stay in this country, and you want your daughter to be married .

NAZORINE

(stands)

You understand everything.

They shake hands, Nazorine turns to leave.

VITO CORLEONE

Bene.

NAZORINE

(with Mr. Hagen now, by the door)

Mr. Hagen, thank you.

(turning to Don Corleone)

An' wait til you see the beautiful wedding cake I made for your daughter! Ooof!

(gestures)

Like this! The bride and the groom and the angel...

TOM

(after Nazorine exits)

Who should I give this job to?

VITO CORLEONE

Not to our paisan. Give it to a jew congressman, in another district. Who else is on the list?

CUT TO:

OUTSIDE

Michael and Kay arrive, make some introductions. They dance to "Ev'rytime I Look In Your Eyes" as the Don watches from his window.

CUT TO:

The Don's office – day

TOM

He's not on the list, but Luca Brasi wants to see you.

VITO CORLEONE

(looking out the window)

Is this – is this necessary?

TOM

He didn't expect to be invited to the wedding, so he wanted to thank you.

VITO CORLEONE

All right.

CUT TO:

Outside of the Corleone residence

Luca sits, rehearsing his lines.

LUCA BRASI

(rehearsing his lines aloud)

Don Corleone, I am honored and grateful that you have invited me to your home on the wedding day of your daughter. And may there first child be a masculine child.

(starting over, which continues throughout the following dialogue)

Don – Don Corleone...

KAY

Michael, that man over there is talking to himself. See that scary looking guy over there?

LUCA'S VOICE

... On the wedding day of your daughter...

MICHAEL

(after glancing over at Luca)

He's a very scary guy.

KAY

Well, who is he? What's his name?

MICHAEL

His name is Luca Brasi – an' he helps my father out sometimes.

Luca stands up, facing Mike and Kay, seemingly coming toward them.

KAY

Oh, Michael, wait a minute; he's coming over here...

TOM

Mike!

MICHAEL

Oh!

TOM

(embracing Michael)

Heh...! You look terrific!

MICHAEL

My brother, Tom Hagen – this is Kay Adams.

TOM

How do you do.

KAY

How do you do, Tom

TOM

(into Michael's ear)

Your father's been asking for you.

(to Kay, before he leaves)

Very nice to meet you.

KAY

Nice to meet you.

(after Tom exits)

If he's your brother, why does he have a different name?

MICHAEL

Oh, ah, that – when my brother Sonny was a kid, he found Tom Hagen in the street. And he had no home – and so my father took him in – and he's been with us ever since . He's a good lawyer. Not a Sicilian, but – I think he's gonna be consiglieri.

KAY

What's that?

MICHAEL

That's um, like a counselor – an advisor – very important to the family.

(then)

You like your lasagna?

CUT TO:

Luca Brasi in Don Corleone's office – day

LUCA BRASI

Don Corleone, I am honored and grateful that you have invited me to your daughter's wedding...

(after realizing he messed up his rehearsed lines, he fails to re cover)

... on the day of your daughter's wedding. And I hope that their first child be a masculine child. I pledge my ever-ending loyalty.

Playing kids run into the room and then are escorted out by Tom.

LUCA BRASI

(as Luca hands Don Corleone a cash-filled envelope)

For your daughter's bridal purse.

VITO CORLEONE

Thank you, Luca, my most valued friend.

LUCA BRASI

Don Corleone, I'm gonna leave you know, because I know you are busy.

VITO CORLEONE

Thank you.

Tom escorts Luca out.

Bride & groom dance to "The Godfather Fox Trot".

Sonny moves closer to Lucy to whisper into her ear.

Sandra gestures to other women about the size of Sonny's manhood; they laugh.

Sandra turns to see Lucy get up to meet Sonny.

Singing and dancing on stage.

VOICE

(urging Mama Corleone to come onto the stage to sing)

Signora Corleone!

MAMA

(laughingly)

No – no – no!

(once on stage)

Assesta stori!

(sings the first verse to "Luna Mezz'a Mare")

Sonny goes upstairs.

An old man continues "Luna Mezz'a Mare" while Nazorine dances a nd laughs on stage.

Lucy Mancini goes upstairs.

The old man who was singing is now dancing.

CUT TO:

Don's office

TOM

Senator Cauly apologized for not coming personally – he said you'd understand. Also, some of the judges. They've all sent gifts.

(toasting to the Don)

Salute!

Off screen: screaming of joy from the party outside.

VITO CORLEONE

What is that outside?

CUT TO:

Outside

Johnny Fontane enters the party.

CONNIE

(while running up to Johnny, then hugging him)

Johnny! Johnny! Johnny! I love you!

CUT TO:

Don's office

The Don is looking out the window.

VITO

He came all the way from California to come to the wedding; I told you he was going to come.

TOM

It's been two years; he probably got into trouble again.

VITO

He's a good godson.

CUT TO:

Bandstand area – day

MAMA CORLEONE