The Godfather
From the opening scene to the closing image, the inside story revealed through its most famous quotes
“ I believe in America. America has made my fortune,” said Amerigo Bonasera, cloaked in darkness as he pled his case to the Godfather. This poignant dialogue was direct from Puzo’s bestseller, however, in the novel, Bonasera was the last of the Don’s several visitors that day. Coppola recognized the effectiveness of introducing the most conflicted character first, a man who the Don recognized was, ‘afraid to be in his debt.’ However, in one of the first versions Puzo submitted to the studio, dated “8/3/70” the film was intended to open with Michael and Kay leaving his Ivy League college to attend the wedding, followed swiftly by introductions to main antagonists Sollozzo and Barzini. Later versions opened with a courtroom scene as it did in the book. This eventually changed to a direct cut of Connie Corleone’s wedding—a place where all the main characters could be introduced. It was the novelist’s original wish that after each character appeared the actor’s name— both real and fictional—would flash on screen. Several drafts exhibit this style, with a prime example being a full page handwritten by Puzo stating, “Credit, Don Vito Corleone, The Godfather—Played by____” since at that time Brando, being unpopular with the studio, had yet to be cast. Today, fans familiar with The Godfather’s poignant prologue and subsequent authentic Italian wedding could scarcely imagine such a garish introduction. Coppola maintained the film’s genuineness, while still providing some drama, when he decided to begin with Bonasera’s palpable “I believe in America” speech fashioned after his groundbreaking opening monologue in Patton. It was a stroke of brilliance—one of many to come in the film.
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