10 Most Profound Quotes in ‘The Godfather’

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The Godfather is the greatest gangster movie ever made, and it is most likely going to remain that means. Movie followers find it irresistible for too many causes to depend, even over 50 years after its preliminary launch, however its quotability is definitely a spotlight. Well-known strains vary fairly extensively in tone, from Clemenza (Richard Castellano) explaining cook dinner a tomato sauce to Don Corleone (Marlon Brando) saying he’ll make somebody a suggestion he cannot refuse. Among the most well-known strains in The Godfather could be very amusing however not precisely probably the most intense or insightful. Examine that to the extra dramatic dialogue, which carries a lot weight that they have been cemented as among the most well-known quotes in Hollywood historical past.

Probably the most profound quotes on this New Hollywood masterpiece aren’t the light-weight ones, pretty much as good as they’re. For instance: “Go away the gun, take the cannolis” did not make the lower. Additionally, the quotes under aren’t essentially tokens of knowledge that may be plucked out of context and instantly understood by individuals who have not even seen the film. Quite, The Godfather‘s most profound strains work along with the movie’s general imaginative and prescient and execution to create deep and emotionally highly effective moments of readability relating to the movie’s character arcs and themes.

10

“A person who would not spend time along with his household can by no means be an actual man.”

Vito Corleone (Marlon Brando)

Picture by way of Paramount Photos

When the weak-voiced Johnny Fontane (Al Martino) involves the don for assist along with his profession, Vito rebukes the person for wallowing in self-pity. He even goes as far as to make enjoyable of the man, pretending to cry “like a lady.” Then Vito asks if Johnny spends time along with his household, and the singer says he does. Don Corleone’s reply speaks to the person’s dedication to his household: “Good. As a result of a person who would not spend time along with his household can by no means be an actual man.”

This quote is fairly easy, nevertheless it additionally has a a lot deeper which means relating to the godfather himself. As he simply defined to Bonasera, spending time with the folks near you is important—even once they’re simply mates. In order that goes double for household, and it marks a definite distinction between Vito and the don who will finally take his place—one thing that The Godfather: Part II emphasizes even further.

9

“You discuss vengeance. Is vengeance going to deliver your son again to you? Or my boy to me?”

Vito Corleone (Marlon Brando)

Marlon Brando's Vito Corleone sitting down at a meeting with Robert Duvall's Tom Hagen sitting behind him in The Godfather
Picture by way of Paramount Photos

On the assembly of the 5 Households, Don Tattaglia expresses his concern to the opposite mobster bosses that Don Corleone will search retaliation as soon as the feud between these two households ends. He posits that Corleone will wait some time for his place to develop stronger, at which level he’ll take revenge on Tattaglia for taking Sonny from him. Corleone’s reply is convincing: “You discuss vengeance. Is vengeance going to deliver your son again to you? Or my boy to me?”

Vito’s oratory prowess strikes even Don Tattaglia, they usually’re in a position to reconcile their variations then.

He additionally goes right into a transferring speech about how he’ll solely retaliate towards somebody if his youthful son (Michael) is by some means killed, however the fundamental concept is that each one he needs is peace. Vito’s oratory prowess strikes even Don Tattaglia, they usually’re in a position to reconcile their variations then. This quote about vengeance is easy however true; bloodshed results in extra bloodshed, a perspective that units him tragically other than the long run don (who quickly takes on the philosophy of mercilessly taking out all of his enemies).

8

“And if by probability an sincere man like your self ought to make enemies, then they might turn into my enemies. After which they may concern you.”

Vito Corleone (Marlon Brando)

Marlon Brando as Vito Corleone sitting at his desk speaking to a guest with a very happy cat in his lap in The Godfather's opening scene
Picture by way of Paramount Photos

The very first scene of The Godfather is impeccably written, and there are various memorable strains. Maybe the one which sums up the entire dialog finest, nevertheless, must be when Vito is explaining to Bonasera that asking him to commit homicide for cash is not the correct technique to method him. As a substitute, “In the event you had come to me in friendship, then this scum that ruined your daughter could be struggling this very day. And if, by probability, an sincere man like your self ought to make enemies, then they might turn into my enemies. After which they may concern you.”

Don Corleone ties the juxtaposing concepts of friendship and violence very intently, aptly conveying the movie’s themes of loyalty and the necessity for justice within the face of a clumsy authorized system. There’s additionally Brando’s supply: the way in which he emphasizes “my,” how he walks over to Bonasera to shut the space between them (actually and figuratively), and the way in which he factors at his visitor when he says, “After which they may concern you.” General, that is an especially insightful summation of the social expectations in certainly one of the best mobster movies.

7

“Who’s being naive, Kay?”

Michael Corleone (Al Pacino)

Michael and Kay walking down the street in The Godfather
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When Michael lastly decides to reconnect with Kay (Diane Keaton), she asks him why he is working for his father when he as soon as stated that he would by no means affiliate with the household enterprise. Michael’s protection is that his father “is not any totally different than some other highly effective man. Any man who’s chargeable for different folks. Like a senator or president.” Kay calls him naive, asserting that senators and presidents do not have males killed. Michael seems at her, “Who’s being naive, Kay?”

That is certainly one of The Godfather‘s best quotes and one which most likely resonated with its viewers of the early ’70s—a time when mistrust within the authorities was rising increasingly more. It is no much less interesting to audiences as we speak, too. This well-known quote ties issues again to the notion of a corrupt and unjust system that the mafia replicates. It is also fascinating to see how Michael has justified his affiliation with the household enterprise, saying the politicians are simply as dangerous—fairly than attempting to argue that his enterprise is an efficient one (although he’ll declare it’ll finally turn into respectable).

6

“It isn’t private, Sonny. It is strictly enterprise.”

Michael Corleone (Al Pacino)

Al Pacino as Michael Corleone in The Godfather sitting in his father's office.
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When Michael first brings up the thought of killing Captain McCluskey (Sterling Hayden) and Virgil Sollozzo (Al Lettieri) himself, Sonny (James Caan) laughs it off. He kisses his youthful brother on the top, telling him that that is enterprise and Michael is taking the scenario personally as a result of McCluskey broke his jaw earlier (to not point out the try on their father’s life). It is a good level, however Michael counters by pitching the thought of a crooked cop getting what was coming to him as a sensational story that the newspapers will gobble up.

With the truth that they have newspaper guys on the payroll, Tom is satisfied the plan may work. Then Michael seems at Sonny with this chilly look in his eyes and says, “It isn’t private, Sonny. It is strictly enterprise.” The best way Pacino delivers this quote makes it completely clear that the plan is completely private; Michael simply so occurs to have provide you with a well-thought-out and sensible technique to take care of its ramifications. It marks a profound change in Michael’s demeanor, as that is the form of killer look that we’ll see increasingly more all through this movie and its rapid sequel.

5

“That is my household, Kay. It isn’t me.”

Michael Corleone (Al Pacino)

Kay Adams and Michael Corleone at a restaurant in 'The Godfather'
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After Michael tells Kay the story of Johnny and the bandleader, during which the godfather threatened the band chief’s life, she would not know what to say. Clearly, she would not approve, however Michael assures her that he has nothing to do with any of that stuff: “That is my household, Kay. It isn’t me.” There’s a lot occurring on this scene. To start with, Kay’s expression modifications to indicate how she’s gone from having fun with herself to taking a look at her date in a really totally different means.

In the meantime, Michael largely would not make eye contact along with her as he tells the story and takes a drink after, apparently conveying a way of disgrace (or at the least disapproval). Additionally, take be aware that he did not even need to inform the story within the first place, much like how he’ll inform Kay to not ask him about his enterprise within the movie’s remaining scene. We will see Michael’s coldness right here, nevertheless it’s directed at his household as a substitute and proves an sincere alternate along with his to-be spouse. It is a concise means of illustrating very early within the movie simply what sort of individual Michael is whereas completely organising how a lot he (and his relationship with Kay) will drastically change.

4

“I consider in America.”

Amerigo Bonasera (Salvatore Corsitto)

A close-up of a man in The Godfather
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In certainly one of the greatest opening monologues in movie historical past, the phrases “I consider in America” are spoken earlier than a black display. Then, we’re proven a person’s face half-masked in darkness, and the digicam slowly backs as much as reveal that he is chatting with the godfather. This man talks about how America is the place he is made his fortune, however he goes on to explain his daughter’s ordeal by the hands of her boyfriend and his buddy. After she refused to sleep with them, they beat her severely.

The courts did not punish these boys in any possible way, therefore Bonasera’s look. In mild of the monologue, these opening strains aren’t speaking about how a lot he believes within the American courts a lot as he believes on this nation’s doubtlessly helpful options to formal justice. It is a wonderful introduction to this movie’s deconstruction of the American Dream and respectable residents’ reluctant embrace of the mafia. The dramatic energy with which this line is delivered works completely with the lighting and digicam work to current The Godfather‘s foremost themes.

3

“I am with you now.”

Michael Corleone (Al Pacino)

Al Pacino as Michael Corleone in a chair in 'The Godfather' (1972)
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When Michael finds his father alone within the hospital, he has the nurse assist him transfer this affected person to a different room in order that the added safety will not be sufficient for the clearly deliberate assassination to work. Vito is just too weak to speak, however he’s awake and lucid sufficient to grasp Michael when he leans down and tells him, “I am with you now.” The look on Michael’s face is intense, and it is clear that, below stress, his loyalty to his father has gained.

The look in Michael’s eyes tells the viewers that he is not going to vary his thoughts even after his father will get higher. The very best half, although, is the tear that rolls down Don Corleone’s face. The reason is explicitly said later in a wonderful dialogue between them, however the viewers can already inform that Vito needs his son would not be part of the Corleone household. Sadly, tragically—there would not appear to be a lot of a alternative in the intervening time.

2

“I by no means wished this for you.”

Vito Corleone (Marlon Brando)

Marlon Brando as Vito Corleone, sitting down at a table alone in a restaurant in The Godfather
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Close to the top of The Godfather, Vito and Michael are speaking. The previous head of the Corleone household is giving his son recommendation on how issues will occur going ahead, and at one level Michael reminds him that he already stated this. After Vito says he forgot, Michael asks him what’s troubling him. Vito explains, “I by no means wished this for you.” As a substitute, he wished Michael to have a extra respectable technique to make a dwelling and have affect on society.

Michael’s mistrust of the kind of people who Vito needs he had turn into emphasizes that the growing old Corleone’s dream for his youngest son is lengthy gone.

Mirroring the scene during which Vito sheds a tear after listening to Michael say, “I am with you now,” this dialog extra straight addresses Vito’s emotions relating to this switch of energy. The best way Brando delivers this complete monologue is masterful, and it goes with out saying that his Vito is certainly one of the greatest career-defining performances in movie historical past. Pacino’s, too, and Michael’s mistrust of the kind of people who Vito needs he had turn into emphasizes that the growing old Corleone’s dream for his youngest son is lengthy gone.

1

“Don Corleone.”

Peter Clemenza (Richard Castellano)

Kay looks back at a room full of men in The Godfather.
Picture by way of Paramount Photos

In certainly one of the greatest movie endings of all time, Kay is fixing drinks when she will be able to see just a few males getting into her husband’s workplace within the adjoining room. She will solely see by way of the restricted house of the door body, after which we get a better shot (nonetheless by way of the door body) of Clemenza embracing Michael as the brand new don. He then kisses Michael’s hand and says, “Don Corleone.” The respect that Clemenza pays Michael is identical he had paid to his father.

The truth that Kay sees this from a separate room reveals simply how far eliminated she is from her husband and the way a lot he has modified because the starting of the film. Together with the slower tackle the film’s rating, this proves to be the top of one of many darkest character trajectories in cinema historical past. When a scene is shot this evocatively, the dialogue needn’t be intensive. As such, these two phrases (“Don Corleone”) are sufficient to inform us all the things we have to know. It is certainly one of American cinema’s most profound moments, and it marks an unforgettable finish to this mafia masterpiece.

NEXT: ‘The 10 Least Intelligent Characters in The Godfather Trilogy, Ranked’

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