The Godfather premiered fifty years ago, on March 15, 1972. I remember standing in a long line in front of a Broadway movie theater and paying the outrageous price of $5 to get in and see this movie. But it was well worth it.
The Godfather is considered one of the best movies ever. It starred Marlon Brando, Al Pacino, James Caan, Robert Duvall, John Cazale, Talia Shire and Diane Keaton. It was nominated for eleven Academy Awards, winning three: Best Picture, Best Actor (Brando) and Best Adapted Screenplay (Mario Puzo and Francis Ford Coppola).
My favorite scene from the movie is the first. Below is the dialogue:
Bonasera (Salvatore Corsitto): I believe in America. America has made my fortune. And I raised my daughter in the American fashion. I gave her freedom, but I taught her never to dishonor her family. She found a boyfriend, not an Italian. She went to the movies with him; she stayed out late. I didn’t protest. Two months ago, he took her for a drive, with another boyfriend. They made her drink whiskey and then they tried to take advantage of her. She resisted. She kept her honor. So, they beat her like an animal. When I went to the hospital, her nose was broken, her jaw was shattered, held together by wire. She couldn’t even weep because of the pain. But I wept. Why did I weep? She was the light of my life. Beautiful girl. Now she will never be beautiful again. Sorry. I went to the police like a good American. These two boys were brought to trial. The judge sentenced them to three years in prison, and suspended the sentence. Suspended the sentence! They went free that very day. I stood in the courtroom like a fool, and those two bastards, they smiled at me. Then I said to my wife, “For justice, we must go to Don Corleone.”
Don Corleone (Brando): Why did you go to the police? Why didn’t you come to me first?
Bonasera: What do you want of me? Tell me anything, but do what I beg you to do.
Don Corleone: What is that?
Bonasera: I want them dead (in a whisper).
Don Corleone: That I cannot do.
Bonasera: I will give you anything you ask.
Don Corleone: We’ve known each other many years, but this is the first time you ever came to me for counsel or for help. I can’t remember the last time that you invited me to your house for a cup of coffee even though my wife is Godmother to your only child. But, let’s be frank here. You never wanted my friendship and you were afraid to be in my debt.
Bonasera: I didn’t want to get into trouble.
Don Corleone: I understand. You found paradise in America. You had a good trade, you made a good living, the police protected you and there were courts of law. And you didn’t need a friend like me. But, now you come to me and you say, “Don Corleone, give me justice.” But, you don’t ask with respect, you don’t offer friendship, you don’t even think to call me Godfather. Instead, you come into my house on the day my daughter’s to be married and you ask me to do murder for money.
Bonasera: I ask you for justice.
Don Corleone: That is not justice. Your daughter is still alive.
Bonasera: Let them suffer then, as she suffers. How much shall I pay you?
Don Corleone: Bonasera, Bonasera. What have I ever done to make you treat me so disrespectfully? If you’d come to me in friendship, then the scum that ruined your daughter would be suffering this very day. And if by chance an honest man like yourself should make enemies, then they would become my enemies. And then they will fear you.
Bonasera: Be my friend...Godfather?
Don Corleone: Good! Some day, and that day may never come, I’ll call upon you to do a service for me. But, until that day, accept this justice as a gift on my daughter’s wedding day.
Bonasera: Grazi, Godfather.
Don Corleone: Prego. (Bonasera leaves the room.) (to Tom Hagen, played by Duvall) Give this to...Clemenza. I want reliable people, people that aren’t gonna be carried away. We’re not murderers, in spite of what this...undertaker (Bonasera) says. [end of scene]
Be my friend...Godfather?
The American justice system was what? Corrupt? Too left? Was IT Bonasera's friend?
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