Plot Summary
Act I: The Offer
The film opens at the lavish wedding of Vito Corleone's daughter. Sollozzo, a drug dealer, comes to Vito with an offer to distribute heroin. When Vito declines, tensions rise. Sollozzo and the Tattaglia family orchestrate an assassination attempt on Vito.
Act II: Michael's War
While Sonny seeks immediate revenge, Michael thinks strategically. Michael agrees to kill Sollozzo and police captain McCluskey in a famous diner scene. He then flees to Sicily while a war brews between the families.
Act III: The Transition
With Vito recovering, Michael returns from Sicily. Sonny is killed in a stunning toll booth sequence. Michael is accepted as the new leader, and the story closes with his complete transformation into the role of Don.
Iconic Moments
The Wedding Scene
The iconic opening sequence introducing the world and characters
Sicily
Michael finds refuge and romance in the Italian countryside
The Family Dinner
A pivotal moment of family gathering and crucial decisions
A Timeless Masterpiece
The Godfather endures not just as entertainment, but as a profound meditation on power, family, morality, and the American Dream. Its influence continues to resonate across cinema and popular culture more than 50 years after its release.