10 facts about The Godfather, which returns to theaters

Probably at some time in your life you must have seen The Godfather. Considered one of the most important films in the history of cinema, it won three Oscars, including best picture. And as now in 2022, the film turns 50, Paramount decided to re-release it in a 4K HDR copy exclusively in theaters. It’s quite an opportunity to see this classic of classics on the big screen. Subsequently, the three films in the epic trilogy that have been painstakingly restored under Coppola’s direction will be made available in 4K HDR for the first time in digital format, across all platforms, starting March 22. Currently, all three can be seen on HBO Max.

The story

Don Vito Corleone (Marlon Brando) is the head of a New York “family” who starts the film happy because he married his daughter Connie (Talia Shire). Only during the party, Bonasera (Salvatore Corsitto) is seen in Don Corleone’s office asking for revenge against members of a gang. Vito argues, but Bonasera’s arguments touch him. And he promises that men will be severely punished. Vito however makes it clear that he may call Bonasera someday to return the “favor”. Outside, in the middle of the party, is Vito’s third child, Michael (Al Pacino). He is a decorated navy captain who has just returned from WWII. An educated, sensitive and perceptive university student, he is barely noticed by most of those present. The exception is his college sweetheart Kay Adams (Diane Keaton), who is not of Italian descent, but whom he loves.

The real problems begin for Vito with Sollozzo (Al Lettieri), a gangster who has support from a rival family. Sollozzo, in a meeting with Vito, his son Sonny (James Caan) and others, tells the family that he intends to set up a large narcotics sales scheme in New York. Only he demands Vito’s permission and political protection to act. Don Corleone hates this idea as he is content to operate with gambling, women and protection. But this will only be the tip of the iceberg of a deadly struggle between the “families”.

The Offer

The film and its behind-the-scenes have always caught the public’s attention. There’s even a miniseries, scheduled to premiere in April on Paramount Plus, which tells the story of precisely what happened behind the scenes. She is called The Offer. It will follow the stories of Oscar-winning producer Albert S. Ruddy (Miles Teller) and his endeavor to make the film. The cast will also include Matthew Goode as Robert Evans, Dan Fogler as Francis Ford Coppola, and Justin Chambers (Grey’s Anatomy) as Marlon Brando. There is also a film on the subject, still in pre-production, called Francis and the Godfather. Jake Gyllenhaal and Oscar Isaac will star as Robert Evans and Francis Ford Coppola. Barry Levinson will direct.

10 facts about The Godfather

Francis Ford Coppola was hired by Robert Evans after Peter Bodagnovich, among others, turned down the job.
There was a lot of bickering between Paramount and Coppola during filming. They even thought of replacing him with Elia Kazan. But Marlon Brando threatened to drop the film if that happened.
The role of Michael Corleone was offered to Warren Beatty, Jack Nicholson, and Dustin Hoffman. Everyone refused. Al Pacino was hired on a salary of $35,000.
The producers had offered the role of Sonny to Burt Reynolds, but Marlon Brando vetoed it. In an interview years later, Burt said he was flattered that he had Brando worried about it. James Caan stayed in place.

And still…

Jill Clayburgh, Susan Blakey, and Michelle Phillips auditioned for the role of Kay, which ended up with Diane Keaton.
Elvis Presley was a big fan of Mario Puzo’s book, and even auditioned for the role of Tom Hagen. But what he really wanted was Vito Corleone. Nothing ended up working out.
The baby used in the christening of Michael Francis Rizzi (son of Connie) was Coppola’s daughter Sofia. This later ended up winning a prominent role in The Godfather 3, but was a terrible actress. She did much better as a director of films like Encounters and Disencounters.
The famous horse head scene is one of the most remembered from the movie. Coppola used a real head bought from a dog food factory (argh!). But he didn’t warn actor John Marley, who was really scared as he could be seen in the scene.
The Godfather earned an estimated $243 million at the worldwide box office. In today’s numbers, it would be somewhere around 720 million.
The film won three Oscars: film, adapted screenplay and actor (Marlon Brando). But Brando didn’t attend, and he sent an Indian woman named Sacheen Littlefeather to represent him. She declined the award and used the time to speak out about the mistreatment of Indians in American cinema. It was later learned that she was not an Indian but an actress named Marie Louise Cruz.