'I believe in America. ' “I believe in America.” These four words — spoken in a clipped, lilting rush over a pitch-black screen — are the first thing you hear in “The Godfather” after a short moan of music. The words hover over the imageless screen, demanding your attention and priming you for what's to come.

What was the famous line of The Godfather?

There's no question that Vito's iconic line, "I'm going to make him an offer he can't refuse," is the best quote from The Godfather. In 2005, the American Film Institute ranked the famous line as the second-best movie quote of all time, and it is considered by many movie fans to be an epic one-liner.

How does Godfather 1 begin?

So what happens in The Godfather opening scene? A man, Bonasera, comes to the titular Godfather, Don Corleone (Marlon Brando), for advice. In a monologue, Bonasera outlines how his daughter has gotten into trouble with a boyfriend. The boyfriend, along with some friends, took her out one night and brutally beat her.

What is Don Corleone's famous line?

“Revenge is a dish best served cold.” – Don Vito Corleone

What does the Don mean by cold? Let's just say, it's best to make sure — by any means necessary — the traitor won't do it again.

What does "leave the gun take the cannoli" mean?

The hit was for the family while the cannoli was for his family. The gun could possibly be traced if the assassin kept it. Therefore, leave it with the body. Clemenza, while a stone cold killer, was not about to go up against his wife. His wife wanted cannoli, he got the cannoli.

What is the first line spoken in "The Godfather"?

What is Al Pacino famous for saying?

As the actor behind Scarface's unforgettable Tony Montana, Pacino also gave voice to one of the most iconic lines in 20th-century cinema: "Say hello to my little friend." That's far from the only memorable bit of dialogue from his long career, though.

How old was Al Pacino in The Original Godfather?

Al Pacino was 31 when he played Michael Corleone in The Godfather, but the character was only 25. In The Godfather Part III, Pacino was 49 while the character, Michael Corleone, was 59 years old.

Who killed Sonny Corleone?

Enraged, Sonny speeds towards Connie's apartment in Hell's Kitchen ahead of his bodyguards. At the Long Beach Causeway toll plaza, Barzini's men trap Sonny and shoot him to death. During a meeting with the other crime family dons to establish peace, Vito realizes that Barzini masterminded Sonny's murder.

How much was Al Pacino paid in The Godfather?

For his breakout role as Michael Corleone in 1972's The Godfather, Al Pacino was reportedly paid $35,000. This relatively small salary was due to him being a relative unknown at the time he was cast, though the fact that the movie launched his career most likely more than made up for the lack of upfront payment.

What word was never said in The Godfather?

In 1971, The New York Times reported that Ruddy removed the words mafia and la cosa nostra from the film's script, which was written by Puzo and director Francis Ford Coppola.

What word was omitted from The Godfather?

"The Godfather's" producer Albert Ruddy attended a meeting with League members, including New York mob boss and founder Joseph Colombo Sr. Ruddy made a deal with the League to omit the words "mafia and "Cosa Nostra" – a term used for the broad grouping of mafia "families" – from the script.

What word was never mentioned in the film The Godfather?

The Italian American Civil Rights League was concerned about the depiction of Italian Americans in The Godfather. What one word was omitted from the script that allowed the filmmakers to reach a settlement with the group? That one word is “Mafia,” which is never mentioned in any of the three Godfather movies.

What is the most famous scene in The Godfather?

The baptism scene

One of the most iconic and contrasting scenes in the film is when Michael becomes the godfather of his sister's baby, while simultaneously ordering the murders of his enemies. The scene intercuts between the solemn ceremony in a church and the brutal executions in various locations.

What does Al Pacino say about The Godfather?

“You see, The Godfather is more entertaining. Godfather II is this study, this personal thing for Francis [Ford Coppola],” Pacino continued. “Godfather I, I saw it recently, it's always got two or three things going on in a scene. You're always in the story, you're going.

Did Michael regret killing Fredo?

He is also mentioned many times throughout the film; the dialogue makes it clear that Michael is tormented with guilt over ordering his brother's death, and that it has alienated him from his ex-wife, Kay (Diane Keaton), and his son, Anthony (Franc D'Ambrosio), both of whom know the truth about Fredo's death.

Who killed Mary Corleone?

After her brother's debut concert, the assassin Mosca tries to kill Michael. One bullet grazes Michael's shoulder, but the other accidentally hits Mary in the chest, fatally wounding her. Michael is devastated by Mary's death, and screams in torment while cradling her dead body.

Why did Fredo betray Michael?

Fredo's decision is most likely a result of resentment toward Michael, by whom he felt he had been passed over. Michael was Fredo's "kid brother," and the fact that their father chose for Michael to take over the "family business" came as a great insult to Fredo, who was neither as intelligent nor as strong.

Who turned down the role of Johnny Fontane?

Damone eventually declined the role because of a salary dispute and also because he did not want to provoke the mob or anger Frank Sinatra, whom Damone profoundly respected. Ultimately, the part of Johnny Fontane was given to Martino.

Who turned down the role of Michael Corleone?

Al Pacino's portrayal of Michael Corleone in The Godfather is iconic and synonymous with the character's image in the minds of audiences. Jack Nicholson turned down the role of Michael Corleone because he believed that actors should stick to playing characters of their own ethnicity.

Who didn't want Al Pacino in The Godfather?

Diane Keaton said she was cast before Al Pacino in the 1972 classic gangster flick "The Godfather." The actress said Pacino was not the first choice to star as Michael Corleone in the Francis Ford Coppola film. "Nobody wanted Al Pacino.

Did deniro speak Italian in godfather?

Robert De Niro spent four months learning to speak the Sicilian dialect of Italian in order to play Vito Corleone. Nearly all of the dialogue that his character speaks in the film was in Sicilian. Originally, the actors in the flashback scenes wore pants with zippers.

Why was Al Pacino so good in The Godfather?

Al Pacino's portrayal of Michael Corleone is partly so spectacular because of the way he is able to interact with his co-stars. The relationships he creates on screen are incredibly believable and the variety of chemistry he strikes up with his peers really makes it feel like they are a real family.

What did Diane Keaton say about Al Pacino?

In an exclusive interview with PEOPLE, Diane Keaton recounted her romance with her The Godfather co-star Al Pacino. Revealing how she was madly in love with him, she said, “I was mad for him. Charming, hilarious, a nonstop talker.” However, even after dating for almost half a decade, the couple never tied the knot.

Why do mobsters drop the gun after a hit?

Hitmen knew it was far better to risk the police finding an errant fingerprint or restoring a serial number than it was for the obvious murder weapon to be found in their possession. With the firearm in their possession, especially shortly after a crime was committed, they risked serious incrimination.