“Leave the gun, take the cannoli.”
Today marks The Godfather’s 45th Anniversary and we’re here to celebrate!
Despite being released in 1972, the Francis Coppola film still remains prevalent in today’s society. And quite frankly, will continue to do so for the rest of time.
Never mind that the The Godfather is known for being shot beautifully or that they casted exceptionally; it’s all about the script and its legendary lines that most of us can quote any which way.
“He held a gun to his head and my father assured him that either his brains or his signature would be on the contract. True story.”
Right from the start, you need to understand and acknowledge the casual innocence Michael exudes when explaining this story to Diane Keaton’s character, Kay-Adams. It’s all in all a mere foreshadowing of the way things unfold.
“It’s not personal Sonny, it’s strictly business.”
This quote portrays a decisive turn from Michael’s character. The one thing Michael has that Sonny doesn’t is the power to separate the individual from the job – which is why he was able to become the forefront after Don stepped down. But regardless of Sonny’s hot-headed temper and uncontrollable antics, part of you learns to empathize with him. Kudos to James Caan.
However, the most obvious change in Michael Corleone’s character is precisely The Baptism Murders. The scene consists of him becoming not only the Godfather to Connie’s son, but to the Corleone crime family in its entirety. Church organs are playing in the background while they cut to the elimination of their rivals death by death. The expression on Michael’s face is unmistakable and in that moment, you know there’s no going back for him. Ironically, it’s during the same time when he renounces Satan at the altar.
It’s evidential that this film has its fair share of gruesome moments, but the “You f*** my wife, I f*** your horse” scene is by far the worst. Not just for the simple fact that Don Corleone places a horse’s head in bed with Jack Woltz, a man who refused to give Johnny Fontane his breakout movie role, but because they used an actual real horse head for the shot. Francis Coppola wanted to make sure every avenue of the film was perfect; like any other director does. But his precision is the reason The Godfather is legendary.
So what was going to make John Marley scream his head off in a way that was genuine? A real life horse head.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZXsTwnHg3pc
True story, people. True story.
“I never wanted this for you. I work my whole life, I don’t apologize – to take care of my family and I refuse to be a fool… dancing on the string held by all those big shots. I don’t apologize – that’s my life – but I thought that, that when it’s your time, that you would be the one to hold the string. Senator Corleone, Governor Corleone. It wasn’t enough time, Michael. It wasn’t enough time.”
Approaching the end of the movie, this scene (for lack of a better term) really hits you in the feels. The aging Don Vito Corleone reviews his life and essentially resents the undeniable fate for his youngest son. He was the most promising out of them all – the one who went to college and strayed away from the family business. But in this scene, Michael’s father expresses how he still wishes he would’ve moved on to a more respectable position. He knew he had the potential to, but you can’t fight destiny.
177 minutes later and you’re bound to be left at a loss of words. No matter how many times you’ve seen The Godfather, something new always manages to catch your eye. Without fail. And if you’ve never seen this film, well… you’re easily missing out on the best of the best.
It’s the 45th anniversary, what better excuse do you need to watch?
Which part of The Godfather is your favorite? Tweet us at @CelebMix and let us in on your thoughts!