The film's lines have become part of our collective memory. Seven writers, directors and actors look back at the movie and what these words mean to them. When Francis Ford Coppola's “The Godfather” opened in New York on March 15, 1972, critics immediately understood the mob family drama to be a masterpiece.

What movie starts with I believe in America?

I believe in America—those are the first words we hear at the very beginning of Francis Ford Coppola's The Godfather I. The film thus signals that it is going to examine the faith in the American dream.

Who says I believe in America?

Bonasera : I believe in America. America has made my fortune.

What is the opening line in The Godfather?

“I believe in America. America has made my fortune.” This opening line not only states Bonasera's initial feeling about the country he has come to but also gives a smart clue as to why he might be such a believer – it has made him rich.

What is the famous line from 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.

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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 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 famous line was improvised in The Godfather?

Yet one of its most memorable lines -- “Leave the gun. Take the cannoli.” -- was entirely improvised and, but for a moment of inspiration, might not have happened. The scene in which it appears encapsulates so much of what makes The Godfather such a triumph.

What was Vito Corleone's last words?

In the novel, his last words are, "Life is so beautiful." At Vito's funeral, Tessio inadvertently reveals that he is the traitor when he tells Michael that Barzini wants a meeting and that he can set it up on his territory in Brooklyn, where Michael would be safe.

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.

Who says I believe in America in The Godfather?

Quote 1. Bonasera: “I believe in America. America has made my fortune. And I raised my daughter in American fashion.

What does leave the gun take the cannoli mean?

As they leave, Peter delivers one of the most quoted lines in movie history. Critics and scholars have long debated the meaning of “Leave the gun, take the cannoli”. Some say it refers to keeping violence and negativity in the past — take only the “sweet” things with you into the future.

What is America's catchphrase?

The modern motto of the United States of America, as established in a 1956 law signed by President Dwight D. Eisenhower, is "In God we trust".

Why did noodles smile at the end?

As the film begins and ends in 1933, with Noodles hiding in an opium den from syndicate hitmen, and the last shot of the film is of Noodles in a smiling, opium-soaked high, the film can be interpreted as having been a drug-induced dream, with Noodles remembering his past and envisioning the future.

What Bible verse is in the movie "I Believe"?

In the beginning of the movie Brian reads a Bible passage: John 14:10-17.

How old was Jennifer Connelly in Once Upon?

Connelly started modeling in grade school, and that led to her being cast - at age 11 - in Sergio Leone's 1984 multi-generational mob epic, "Once Upon a Time in America."

What is Michael Corleone's tragic flaw?

Michael Corleone was a tragic hero and his tragic flaw was his hunger for power. He wanted to make his family business legitimate and that quest became a paradox, because he was committing crimes so he would not have to commit them in the future.

What killed Vito Corleone?

The two of them surmised that someone in the family would betray Michael in this event by setting up a meeting with Don Emilio Barzini, Vito's main rival and the mastermind behind the Sollozzo scheme. In 1955, he died of a heart attack at age 68, while playing with his grandson Anthony in his garden.

What is Michael Corleone's flaw?

Immensely talented and powerful, he is undone by tragic flaws: his insatiable desire for vengeance, which creates a web of violence and recrimination that he cannot escape; his illusions of omnipotence, which blind him to the fact that achieving legitimacy is impossible; and his sense of being perpetually at war, which ...

What was the famous line from The Godfather about the cannoli?

In the distance, his lieutenant Rocco Lampone (Tom Rosqui) is seen in the car, putting the gun muzzle to Paulie's head. Boom-boom-boom. Clemenza returns and, emotionless, utters the classic line. "Leave the gun, take the cannoli."

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.

What is the most famous movie line that was never meant to be said?

"You talkin' to me?" — "Taxi Driver" (1976) During a 2016 interview with Today for the 40th anniversary of "Taxi Driver," director Martin Scorsese recalled the day that actor Robert De Niro improvised one of the most iconic movie quotes of all time.

What word was intentionally omitted from the screenplay of The Godfather?

In an attempt to sort out their differences, the film's producer arranged a meeting with Joseph Colombo who revealed that he had one simple request. “They demanded that he [Albert Ruddy] delete all mentions of 'mafia' in the script,” author of The Godfather Effect, Tom Santopietro, said.

What are the cuss words in The Godfather?

Who was Don Corleone based on?

While these families gave the Corleone Family a general structure for Mario Puzo to build his story, the most notable real-life character, Frank Costello, became a major inspiration in creating Don Vito Corleone.