Movie Description
The sequel to THE GODFATHER tells the story of both a young Vito Corleone (Robert De Niro), newly arrived in America, and his son Michael (Al Pacino) 40 years later, running the family empire. On the streets of Hell's Kitchen in 1917 New York City, Vito is initiated into the ways of the local Cosa Nostra by his friend Clemenza (Bruno Kirby). After killing the local mafioso in a towel-wrapped gun, Vito becomes the new man to be respected and feared. Meanwhile, a dour Michael Corleone negotiates with business partner Hyman Roth (legendary Method-acting teacher Lee Strasberg in his first film role) in Cuba and testifies in front of a Washington Senate committee. Robert Duvall (Tom Hagen), Diane Keaton (Kay Corleone), Talia Shire (Connie Corleone), and John Cazale (Fredo Corleone), reprising their roles from THE GODFATHER, are outstanding as the people forced to watch the new godfather's moral destruction. De Niro, speaking in Italian, captures the mannerisms of Marlon Brando's Vito Corleone from the first film brilliantly. THE GODFATHER PART II is one of the only major sequels ever made that might just surpass the original.
| Credits | | Producer: | Francis Ford Coppola | | Cast: | Lee Strasberg, Michael V. Gazzo, Richard Bright |
Notes
The film premiered on December 12, 1974.
THE GODFATHER PART II is number 32 on the American Film Institute's list of America's 100 Greatest Movies.
THE GODFATHER PART II was added to the Library of Congress National Film Registry in 1993.
Francis Ford Coppola's mentor, Roger Corman, makes a brief appearance in the film at the head table at Michael Corleone's Senate hearings.
Troy Donahue has a bit part as Connie's boyfriend, a character named Merle Johnson, Donahue's real name.
"If history has taught us anything, it's that you can kill anyone."--Michael Corleone
"Keep your friends close, but your enemies closer."--Michael Corleone
Editorial Reviews
"The musical score plays an even greater role in THE GODFATHER: PART II than it did in the original film. Nostalgic, mournful, evoking lost eras, it stirs emotions...."
Chicago Sun-Times - Roger Ebert (10/02/2008)
Awards
1974Academy AwardsBest Art Direction - Set DecorationGeorge Robert Nelson, 1974Academy AwardsBest Art DirectionAngelo Graham, 1974Academy AwardsBest Art DirectionDean Tavoularis, 1974Academy AwardsBest DirectorFrancis Ford Coppola, 1974Academy AwardsBest Original ScoreCarmine Coppola, 1974Academy AwardsBest Original ScoreNino Rota, 1974Academy AwardsBest Picture, 1974Academy AwardsBest Screenplay Adapted from Other MaterialFrancis Ford Coppola, 1974Academy AwardsBest Screenplay Adapted from Other MaterialMario Puzo, 1974Academy AwardsBest Supporting ActorRobert De Niro
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