The Godfather
The Godfather is a 1972 American epic gangster film directed by Francis Ford Coppola, who co-wrote the screenplay with Mario Puzo, based on Puzo's best-selling 1969 novel of the same title. The film stars an ensemble cast including Marlon Brando, Al Pacino, James Caan, Richard Castellano, Robert Duvall, Sterling Hayden, John Marley, Richard Conte, and Diane Keaton. It is the first installment in The Godfather trilogy, chronicling the Corleone family under patriarch Vito Corleone (Brando) from 1945 to 1955. It focuses on the transformation of his youngest son, Michael Corleone (Pacino), from reluctant family outsider to ruthless mafia boss. Paramount Pictures obtained the rights to the novel for $80,000, before it gained popularity. Studio executives had trouble finding a director; the first few candidates turned down the position before Coppola signed on to direct the film but disagreement followed over casting several characters, in particular, Vito (Marlon Brando) and Michael (Al Pacino). Filming took place primarily on location around New York City and in Sicily, and was completed ahead of schedule. The musical score was composed principally by Nino Rota, with additional pieces by Carmine Coppola. The Godfather premiered at the Loew's State Theatre on March 14, 1972, and was widely released in the United States on March 24, 1972. It was the highest-grossing film of 1972, and was for a time the highest-grossing film ever made, earning between $250 and $291 million at the box office. The film was acclaimed by critics and audiences, who praised its performances—particularly those of Brando and Pacino—direction, screenplay, writing, story, cinematography, editing, score, and portrayal of the mafia. The Godfather launched the successful careers of Coppola, Pacino, and other relative newcomers in the cast and crew. At the 45th Academy Awards, the film won Best Picture, Best Actor (Brando), and Best Adapted Screenplay (for Puzo and Coppola). In addition, the seven other Oscar nominations included Pacino, Caan, and Duvall all for Best Supporting Actor, and Coppola for Best Director. The Godfather is regarded as one of the greatest and most influential films ever made, as well as a landmark of the gangster genre. It was selected for preservation in the U.S. National Film Registry of the Library of Congress in 1990, being deemed "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant" and is ranked the second-greatest film in American cinema (behind Citizen Kane) by the American Film Institute. It was followed by sequels The Godfather Part II (1974) and The Godfather Part III (1990). Pauline Kael wrote that "If ever there was a great example of how the best popular movies come out of a merger of commerce and art, The Godfather is it."
Sollozzo is known as The Turk. He's supposed to be very good with a knife, but only in matters of business with reasonable complaint. His business is narcotics. He has fields in Turkey, where they grow poppy. In Sicily he has plants to process them into heroin. He needs cash, he needs protection from the police. He'll give a piece of the action. I don't know how much. The Tattaglia family is behind him here. They have to be in it for something.
The Godfather
Tom? Yes. There's more money in narcotics than anything else. If we don't get into it, somebody else will, maybe the five families. With that money they can buy more police and political power. Then they come after us. Now we have unions and gambling, and that's great, but narcotics is the future. If we don't get a piece of that action, we risk everything in 10 years' time.
The Godfather
They wouldn't be friendly long if I was involved in drugs instead of gambling, which they regard as a harmless vice, but drugs is a dirty business. It doesn't make any difference to me what a man does for a living. But your business is...a little dangerous. If you're worried about security, the Tattaglias will guarantee it. -The Tattaglias would guarantee our... -Wait a minute.
The Godfather
I have a sentimental weakness for my children, and I spoil them. They talk when they should listen. But anyway... Signor Sollozzo, my no is final. I wish to congratulate you on your new business. I know you'll do well, and good luck. Especially since your interests don't conflict with mine. Thank you.
The Godfather