The Godfather: Part II

The Godfather: Part II, motion picture about the members of a powerful Mafia family. Released in 1974, this sequel to The Godfather (1972) chronicles the early life of Don Vito Corleone (played by Robert De Niro) and the middle years of his son and successor Michael Corleone (Al Pacino). The film earned six Academy Awards, including best picture, best director, and best screenplay. De Niro earned an Academy Award for his performance as the young Don Vito Corleone, who immigrates to the United States and becomes a powerful Mafioso. Michael Corleone becomes cold and ruthless as he protects himself from assassination attempts and governmental threats to his business empire. The film inspired another sequel, The Godfather: Part III (1990).

Director

• Francis Ford Coppola

Cast

• Al Pacino (Michael)
• Robert Duvall (Tom Hagen)
• Diane Keaton (Kay)
• Robert De Niro (Don Vito Corleone)
• Talia Shire (Connie)
• John Cazale (Fredo)
• Lee Strasberg (Hyman Roth)
• Michael V. Gazzo (Frank Pentangeli)
• Richard Bright (Al Neri)
• Gastone Moschin (Fanutti)
• Frank Sivero (Genco)
• Morgana King (Mama)
• Mariana Hill (Deanna)
• Troy Donahue (Merle Johnson)
• Joe Spinell (Willie Cicci)
• Abe Vigoda (Tessio)
• Fay Spain (Mrs. Marcia Roth)
• Maria Carta (Vito's Mother)
• G. D. Spradlin (Senator Geary)
• Oreste Baldini (Vito Andolini as a boy)
• Tom Rosqui (Rocco Lampone)
• Bruce Kirby, Jr. (Young Clemenza)
• Francesca De Sapio (Young Mama Corleone)
• Leopoldo Trieste (Signor Roberto)
• Dominic Chianese (Johnny Ola)
• Amerigo Tot (Michael's bodyguard)
• John Aprea (Young Tessio)
• Gianni Russo (Carlo)
• Guiseppe Sillato (Don Francesco)
• Mario Cotone (Don Tommasino)
• James Gounaris (Anthony Corleone)
• Harry Dean Stanton (FBI agent)
• David Baker (FBI agent)
• Ezio Flagello (Impresario)
• Peter Donat (Questadt)
• Roger Corman (Senator)
• Phil Feldman (Senator)
• James Caan (Sonny Corleone)
• Tere Livrano (Theresa Hagen)
• Carmine Caridi (Carmine Rosato)
• Danny Aiello (Tony Rosato)
• Carmine Foresta (Bartender)
• Nick Discenza (Bartender)
• Father Joseph Medeglia (Father Carmelo)
• William Bowers (State committee chairman)
• Joe Della Sorte (Michael's buttonman)
• Carmen Argenziano (Michael's buttonman)
• Joe Lo Grippo (Michael's buttonman)
• Livio Giorgi (Tenor)
• Kathleen Beller (Girl in performance)
• Saveria Mazzola (Signora Colombo)
• Tito Alba (Cuban president)
• Johnny Naranjo (Translator)
• Elda Maida (Pentangeli's brother)
• Ignazio Pappalardi (Mosca)
• Andrea Maugeri (Strollo)
• Peter La Corte (Abandando)
• Vincent Coppola (Vendor)
• Tom Dahlgren (Corngold)
• Paul B. Brown (Senator Ream)
• Yvonne Coll (Yolanda)
• J. D. Nichols (Attendant at brothel)
• Edward Van Sickle (Ellis Island doctor)
• Gabria Belloni (Ellis Island nurse)
• Richard Watson (Customs official)
• Venancia Grangerard (Cuban nurse)
• Erica Yohn (Governess)
• Theresa Tirelli (Midwife)

Awards

• Academy Award for Best Picture (1974)
• Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor (1974): Robert De Niro
• Academy Award for Best Director (1974): Francis Ford Coppola
• Academy Award for Best Screenplay Adapted from Other Material (1974): Francis Ford Coppola, Mario Puzo
• Academy Award for Best Art Direction (1974): Dean Tavoularis—Art Direction, Angelo Graham—Art Direction, George R. Nelson—Set Decoration
• Academy Award for Best Original Dramatic Score (1974): Nino Rota, Carmine Coppola

Quote

• Michael Corleone (to his brother Fredo, after he learns that Fredo ordered a hit on him): “I know it was you, Fredo. You broke my heart. You broke my heart.”