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    Nostalgia Central
    Home»Movies»Movies by Decade»Movies - 1970s
    Movies - 1970s Movies - G 3 Mins Read

    Godfather: Part II, The (1974)

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    Relieved of the need to be faithful to Mario Puzo’s novel, Director Francis Ford Coppola embarked on a sequel with an unusual theme – crime as capitalism.

    This follow-up to the hugely successful Godfather (1972) used extensive flashbacks to highlight the juxtaposition between the youth of Vito Corleone and the problems of his son Michael 50 years later as the mob threatens to break apart under Congressional scrutiny.

    Breathtaking in scope, we see the early life of the Don, brilliantly portrayed by Robert De Niro, as he is smuggled out of Sicily when his family is slaughtered in a Mafia vendetta and sails for New York.

    godfatherpart2

    The later sequences, with Michael (Al Pacino) in Cuba, are clumsy and confusing, though the climax is as chilling as the look on Michael’s face when he realises that even Family members can be rubbed out.

    A brilliant supporting cast (especially legendary Actors Studio director Lee Strasberg making his film debut, aged 71) and superb direction, screenplay, score and art direction ensured a clean sweep at the Oscars, winning six Academy Awards (including Best Film and Best Supporting Actor for Robert De Niro).

    Diane Keaton is Michael’s wife, Kay; Robert Duvall is Tom Hagen, the adopted brother and Consigliere; John Cazale is Michael’s weak brother Fredo; and Talia Shire is his sister, Connie. James Caan makes a brief appearance as Sonny, the impetuous brother who died a horrible death in The Godfather.

    Pacino gives a monumental performance, and it was an equally monumental crime that he never won an Oscar for it.

    There is opulence and magnificence from the very start at a huge, vulgar garden party celebrating the First Communion of Michael’s son. Other big scenes include the recreation of the Senate Caucus Room in which there’s an inquiry into Mafia activities and there are some brilliantly handled crowd scenes, such as New Year’s celebrations in pre-Castro Havana and street scenes in early 20th century New York.

    A third and final sequel completed the Corleone family trilogy in 1990 showing an ageing Michael dividing his time between politics and gangster activities, with the corruption spreading all the way to the Vatican.

    godfatherpart2

    TRIVIA
    The Godfather II was the first time a director had been paid $1 million upfront, in addition to a percentage of the gross (Coppola had received just $60,000 to make The Godfather).

    Michael Corleone
    Al Pacino
    Tom Hagen
    Robert Duvall
    Kay Corleone
    Diane Keaton
    Vito Corleone
    Robert De Niro
    Connie
    Talia Shire
    Fredo Corleone
    John Cazale
    Hyman Roth
    Lee Strasberg
    Frank Pentangeli
    Michael V Gazzo
    Al Neri
    Richard Bright
    Fanucci
    Gaston Moschin
    Genco
    Frank Sivero
    Mama Corleone
    Morgana King
    Deanna Corleone
    Marianna Hill
    Merle Johnson
    Troy Donahue
    Willie Cicci
    Joe Spinell
    Tessio
    Abe Vigoda
    Mrs Marcia Roth
    Fay Spain
    Vito’s mother
    Maria Carta
    Senator Pat Geary
    G D Spradlin
    Rocco Lampone
    Tom Rosqui
    FBI agent
    Harry Dean Stanton
    Sonny Corleone
    James Caan

    Director
    Francis Ford Coppola

    Video

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