The Godfather ( film series ) - wikipedia The Godfather ( film series ) The Godfather Directed by Francis Ford Coppola Produced by Francis Ford Coppola ( 2 -- 3 ) Albert S. Ruddy ( 1 ) Gray Frederickson ( 2 ) Fred Roos ( 2 ) Fred Fuchs ( 3 ) Written by Mario Puzo Francis Ford Coppola Robert Towne ( 1 ) Based on The Godfather by Mario Puzo Music by Nino Rota Carmine Coppola Cinematography Gordon Willis Edited by Peter Zinner ( 1 -- 2 ) Barry Malkin ( 2 -- 3 ) William H. Reynolds ( 1 ) Richard Marks ( 2 ) Lisa Fruchtman ( 3 ) Walter Murch ( 3 ) Production company Alfran Productions ( 1 ) American Zoetrope ( 3 ) Distributed by Paramount Pictures Release date 15 March 1972 ( 1972 - 03 - 15 ) ( The Godfather ) 20 December 1974 ( 1974 - 12 - 20 ) ( The Godfather Part II ) 25 December 1990 ( 1990 - 12 - 25 ) ( The Godfather Part III ) Running time 539 minutes Country United States Language English Italian Spanish Budget $73.5 million Box office $574.8 million The Godfather is an American film series that consists of three crime drama films directed by Francis Ford Coppola inspired by the novel of the same name by Italian American author Mario Puzo. The series follows the trials of the Corleone family, Italian Americans whose patriarch, Vito Corleone, rises to be a major figure in American organized crime. His youngest son, Michael Corleone, becomes his successor. The films were distributed by Paramount Pictures and released in 1972, 1974 and 1990. The series achieved success at the box office, with the films earning over $550 million worldwide. The Godfather, is seen by many as one of the greatest films of all time. The sequel, The Godfather Part II, is viewed by many as the best sequel in cinematic history. The series is heavily awarded, winning 9 out of 29 total Academy Award nominations. Contents 1 Film series 1.1 The Godfather 1.2 The Godfather Part II 1.3 The Godfather Part III 2 Fourth film 3 Compilations for video and television 4 Cast 5 Reception 5.1 Box office performance 5.2 Critical response 5.3 Accolades 6 Video games 7 Notes 8 References 9 Further reading Film series The Godfather Main article : The Godfather The Godfather was released on March 15, 1972. The feature - length film was directed by Francis Ford Coppola and based upon Mario Puzo 's novel of the same name. The plot begins with Don Vito Corleone declining an offer to join in the narcotics business with notorious drug lord Virgil Sollozzo, which leads to an assassination attempt. Meanwhile, Vito 's oldest son Sonny takes over the family and Michael strikes back for the assassination attempt by killing Sollozzo and a corrupted police captain, forcing Michael to go to Sicily in hiding. While in Sicily, Michael travels around the country and meets a woman he marries but who is killed in a car bombing. Michael returns to America after the news of his brother Sonny 's murder. After returning, Vito turns over the reins of the family to Michael. Michael plans to move the family business to Las Vegas ; but before the move, he plots the killing of the heads of the five families on the day of his nephew 's baptism. Other subplots include Vito 's daughter 's abusive marriage, Johnny Fontaine 's success in Hollywood and Vito 's second son Fredo 's role in the family business in Las Vegas. The Godfather Part II Main article : The Godfather Part II The Godfather Part II was released on December 20, 1974. The feature - length film was again directed by Francis Ford Coppola and based upon Mario Puzo 's novel of the same name. The film is in part both a sequel and a prequel to The Godfather, presenting two parallel dramas. The main storyline, following the first film 's events, centers on Michael Corleone, the new Don of the Corleone crime family, trying to hold his business ventures together from 1958 to 1959 ; the other is a series of flashbacks following his father, Vito Corleone, from his childhood in Sicily in 1901 to his founding of the Corleone family in New York City. The Godfather Part III Main article : The Godfather Part III The Godfather Part III was released on December 25, 1990. Francis Ford Coppola returned as director for the feature - length film, while also writing the screenplay with the help of the author Mario Puzo. It completes the story of Michael Corleone, a Mafia kingpin who tries to legitimize his criminal empire, and shows the rise of Sonny Corleone 's illegitimate son Vincent Corleone as Michael 's successor. The film also weaves into its plot a fictionalized account of real - life events, which include the 1978 death of Pope John Paul I and the Papal banking scandal of 1981 and 1982, and links them with each other and with the affairs of Michael Corleone. Fourth film Following the reaction after the third film, Coppola stated that although the idea of a fourth had been discussed, because Puzo died before they had a chance to write the film, it did not reach production. He and Puzo had discussed a potential script told in a similar narrative to Part II, seeing a younger Vito Corleone in the 1930s with a young Sonny Corleone gaining the families ' political power, and another story featured during the 1980s seeing Vincent Corleone haunted by the death of his cousin Mary, running the family business through a ten - year destructive war and eventually losing the families ' respect and power, seeing one final scene with Michael Corleone before his death. The fourth film was supposed to be a prequel. Many famous actors were announced to star in the film. Robert De Niro, Andy García and Talia Shire were slated to reprise their roles as Vito Corleone, Vincent Corleone and Connie Corleone respectively. Ray Liotta was rumored to have a role in the film, while Leonardo DiCaprio was cast as a younger Sonny Corleone. Robert Duvall was supposed to reprise his role as Tom Hagen, while Al Pacino was also originally meant to appear in a cameo appearance as Michael Corleone at the end of the film before his character 's death. The Hollywood Reporter reported on June 21, 1999, that a fourth film with García in the lead role was in - the - works. Puzo started to work on the film 's script before his untimely death. However, García has since claimed the film 's script was nearly produced. After Puzo 's death, all was cancelled and Coppola decided to not continue the film series. Puzo 's portion of the potential sequel, dealing with the Corleone family in the early 1930s, was eventually expanded into a novel by Ed Falco and released in 2012 as The Family Corleone. The estate of Puzo had sought to keep Paramount Pictures from producing a feature film based on the novel. This has been resolved, with Paramount gaining the rights to make more Godfather films. Compilations for video and television Three compilations were created by Coppola and editors Barry Malkin and Walter Murch : The Godfather Saga ( 1977 ) -- seven hours television miniseries based on the first two films and incorporating additional footage that was not included in the theatrical releases. The Godfather 1902 -- 1959 : The Complete Epic ( 1981 ) -- version of The Godfather Saga that was released in video ( VHS format ). The Godfather Trilogy : 1901 -- 1980 ( 1992 ) ten hours compilation released directly to video ( VHS and LaserDisc formats ) in 1992 and 1997 encompassing the three films and incorporating footage that was not included in the theatrical releases and additional footage that the Saga or Epic releases had included. Cast Character Film The Godfather The Godfather Part II The Godfather Part III Michael Corleone Al Pacino Kay Adams - Corleone Diane Keaton Fredo Corleone John Cazale Al Neri Richard Bright Connie Corleone Talia Shire Theresa Hagen Tere Livrano Francesca Corleone Jeanne Savarino Pesch Kathryn Corleone Janet Savarino Smith Don Tommasino Corrado Gaipa Mario Cotone Vittorio Duse Anthony Corleone Anthony Gounaris James Gounaris Franc D'Ambrosio Vito Corleone Marlon Brando Robert De Niro Tom Hagen Robert Duvall Sonny Corleone James Caan Peter Clemenza Richard S. Castellano Bruno Kirby Salvatore Tessio Abe Vigoda Abe Vigoda John Aprea Carmela Corleone Morgana King Morgana King Francesca De Sapio Carlo Rizzi Gianni Russo Sandra Corleone Julie Gregg Fabrizio Angelo Infanti Rocco Lampone Tom Rosqui Genco Abbandando Franco Corsaro ( deleted scene ) Frank Sivero Willi Cicci Joe Spinell Apollonia Vitelli - Corleone Simonetta Stefanelli Simonetta Stefanelli ( archive footage ) Johnny Fontane Al Martino Al Martino Calo Franco Citti Franco Citti Lucy Mancini Jeannie Linero Jeannie Linero Enzo Aguello Gabrielle Torrei Gabrielle Torrei Captain McCluskey Sterling Hayden Jack Woltz John Marley Emilio Barzini Richard Conte Virgil Sollozzo Al Lettieri Carmine Cuneo Rudy Bond Luca Brasi Lenny Montana Paulie Gatto Johnny Martino Amerigo Bonasera Salvatore Corsitto Moe Greene Alex Rocco Bruno Tattaglia Tony Giorgio Nazorine Vito Scotti Philip Tattaglia Victor Rendina Vitelli Saro Urzi Victor Stracci Don Costello Don Zaluchi Louis Guss Hyman Roth Lee Strasberg John Megna ( young ) Frank Pentangeli Michael V. Gazzo Pat Geary G.D. Spradlin Fabrizio Fanucci Gastone Moschin Deanna Dunn - Corleone Marianna Hill Signor Roberto Leopoldo Trieste Johnny Ola Dominic Chianese Bussetta Amerigo Tot Merle Johnson Troy Donahue Vito 's mother Maria Carta Francesco Ciccio Giuseppe Sillato Marcia Roth Fay Spain FBI Man Harry Dean Stanton Carmine Rosato Carmine Caridi Tony Rosato Danny Aiello Vincenzo Pentangeli Salvatore Po Mosca Ignazio Pappalardo Strollo Andrea Maugeri Vincent Corleone Andy García Osvaldo Altobello Eli Wallach Joey Zasa Joe Mantegna BJ Harrison George Hamilton Grace Hamilton Bridget Fonda Mary Corleone Sofia Coppola Cardinal Lamberto Raf Vallone Archbishop Gilday Donal Donnelly Frederick Keinszig Helmut Berger Dominic Abbandando Don Novello Andrew Hagen John Savage Mosca Mario Donatone Licio Lucchesi Enzo Robutti Spara Michele Russo Lou Pennino Robert Cicchini Armand Rogerio Miranda Francesco Carlos Miranda Anthony Squigliaro Vito Antuofermo Albert Volpe Carmine Caridi Frank Romano Don Costello Leo Cuneo Al Ruscio Matty Parisi Mickey Knox Reception Box Office performance Film Release date Revenue Rank Budget Reference North America Other territories Worldwide All time North America All time worldwide The Godfather 000000001972 - 03 - 15 - 0000 March 15, 1972 $134,966,411 $110,100,000 $245,066,411 # 310 # 23 # 398 $6,500,000 The Godfather Part II 000000001974 - 12 - 20 - 0000 December 20, 1974 $57,300,000 $135,700,000 $193,000,000 # 1,416 - $13,000,000 The Godfather Part III 000000001990 - 12 - 25 - 0000 December 25, 1990 $66,666,062 $70,100,000 $136,766,062 # 947 - $54,000,000 Total $ 7008258932473000000 ♠ 258 932 473 $ 7008315900000000000 ♠ 315 900 000 $ 7008574832473000000 ♠ 574 832 473 - - $73,500,000 List indicator ( s ) indicates the adjusted totals based on current ticket prices ( calculated by Box Office Mojo ). Critical response On Rotten Tomatoes, the films received 99 %, 97 %, and 67 % scores respectively. Metacritic, based on its ratings for each film ( 100 %, 80 %, 60 % ), lists the series as receiving `` Generally Favorable Reviews '' with its 80 % average. The films appear in many `` Top 10 '' film lists, such as the Dallas - Fort Worth Film Critics Association 's Top 10 Films, IMDb top 250, Time magazine 's All - Time 100 Movies, and James Berardinelli 's Top 100. Film Rotten Tomatoes Metacritic The Godfather 99 % ( 85 reviews ) 100 ( 15 reviews ) The Godfather Part II 97 % ( 72 reviews ) 85 ( 12 reviews ) The Godfather Part III 67 % ( 58 reviews ) 60 ( 19 reviews ) Accolades The three films together were nominated for a total of 29 Academy Awards, of which they won nine. For the Best Supporting Actor award, both The Godfather and The Godfather Part II had three actors nominated for the award, which is a rare feat. Both The Godfather and The Godfather Part II won the award for Best Picture in their respective years. The Godfather Part II won the most Academy Awards with six to its credit. The Godfather Part III was nominated for seven Oscars, but won none. The Godfather -- Nominations : 10, Wins : 3 The Godfather Part II -- Nominations : 11, Wins : 6 The Godfather Part III -- Nominations : 7, Wins : 0 The Godfather film series at the Academy Awards Award Awards won The Godfather The Godfather Part II The Godfather Part III Picture Won Won Nominated Director Nominated Won Nominated Actor Won Nominated Supporting Actor Nominated Won Nominated Supporting Actress Nominated Adapted Screenplay Won Won Art Direction Won Nominated Cinematography Nominated Costume Design Nominated Nominated Film Editing Nominated Nominated Original Dramatic Score Won Original Song Nominated Sound Mixing Nominated Jump up ^ Received three nominations in this category. Jump up ^ Received three nominations in this category, winning one. Video games Three video games have been released to supplement the film series. The releases include : The Godfather, The Godfather : The Game and The Godfather II. Notes Jump up ^ The character Fredo Corleone played by John Cazale appears in The Godfather Part III during a brief flashblack. Archive footage from The Godfather Part II is used. Jump up ^ The character Peter Clemenza appears in The Godfather Part II as a younger version than in The Godfather and played by another actor, Bruno Kirby. Jump up ^ The character Salvatore Tessio appears in The Godfather Part II as a younger version than in The Godfather and played by another actor, John Aprea. The original actor Abe Vigoda makes a cameo appearance at the end of The Godfather Part II. Jump up ^ The character Carmela Corleone appears in The Godfather Part II as an older version played by Morgana King and a younger version in flashbacks played by Francesca De Sapio. References ^ Jump up to : http://www.gq-magazine.co.uk/entertainment/articles/2011-03/15/gq-film-godfather-part-four/mario-puzo Archived March 8, 2012, at the Wayback Machine. Jump up ^ `` Long - Lost ' The Godfather ' Prequel Revived ''. 5 May 2011. Jump up ^ Rosen, Christopher ( 15 January 2011 ). `` The Godfather Part IV Is n't Happening, Says Talia Shire ''. Jump up ^ `` DiCaprio and Garcia set to star in The Godfather part IV ''. 22 June 1999 -- via The Guardian. Jump up ^ https://www.phactual.com/17-facts-about-the-godfather-part-iii-you-may-not-have-known/ Jump up ^ `` Andy Garcia : `` ' Godfather Part 4 ' is in Francis ' hands '' - ShowBizCafe.com ``. 1 May 2012. Jump up ^ Morris, Andy. `` The Godfather Part IV ''. Jump up ^ Wilson, Craig ( 6 May 2012 ). `` Prequel lays out life before ' The Godfather ' ''. USA Today. Retrieved 12 April 2015. Jump up ^ Schulder, Michael ( 4 September 2012 ). `` CNN Profiles : Ed Falco 's prequel to ' The Godfather ' ''. CNN Radio. Retrieved 2 October 2012. Jump up ^ Patten, Dominic ( 21 December 2012 ). `` Paramount & Puzo Estate Settle ' Godfather ' Suit ''. Jump up ^ Malta, J. Geoff ( 2006 ). The Godfather 1902 -- 1959 : The Complete Epic. Jump up ^ `` The Godfather ( 1972 ) - Cast & Crew ''. Yahoo ! Movies. Retrieved 20 November 2006. Jump up ^ `` The Godfather, Part II ( 1974 ) - Cast & Crew ''. Yahoo ! Movies. Retrieved 20 November 2006. Jump up ^ `` The Godfather, Part III ( 1990 ) - Cast & Crew ''. Yahoo ! Movies. Retrieved 20 November 2006. Jump up ^ `` The Godfather ( 1972 ) ''. Box Office Mojo. Retrieved August 31, 2012. Jump up ^ `` Box office / business for The Godfather : Part II ''. IMDB. Retrieved July 19, 2013. Jump up ^ `` The Godfather Part III ( 1990 ) ''. Box Office Mojo. Retrieved July 19, 2010. Jump up ^ `` The Godfather at the Box Office ''. Box Office Mojo. Retrieved August 31, 2012. Jump up ^ James Berardinelli. `` Berardinelli 's All - Time Top 100 ''. Reelviews. Retrieved 16 March 2007. Jump up ^ `` The Godfather ''. Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved July 22, 2015. Jump up ^ `` The Godfather ''. Metacritic. CNET Networks. Retrieved June 20, 2012. Jump up ^ `` The Godfather II ''. Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved July 22, 2015. Jump up ^ `` The Godfather II ''. Metacritic. CNET Networks. Retrieved July 22, 2015. Jump up ^ `` The Godfather III ''. Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved June 8, 2014. Jump up ^ `` The Godfather III ''. Metacritic. CNET Networks. Retrieved August 31, 2012. Jump up ^ `` 1972 Academy Awards ® Winners and History ''. AMC Filmsite. American Movie Classics Company LLC. Retrieved August 31, 2012. Jump up ^ `` 1974 Academy Awards ® Winners and History ''. AMC Filmsite. American Movie Classics Company LLC. Retrieved August 31, 2012. Jump up ^ `` 1990 Academy Awards ® Winners and History ''. AMC Filmsite. American Movie Classics Company LLC. Retrieved August 31, 2012. Further reading AMC TV ( 2010 - 11 - 25 ). `` Ten Things You Did n't Know About the Godfather Trilogy ''. Free Republic. Browne, Nick ( 2000 ). Francis Ford Coppola 's The Godfather Trilogy. Cambridge University Press. ISBN 978 - 0 - 521 - 55950 - 8. Messenger, Chris ( 2012 ). The Godfather and American Culture : How the Corleones Became `` Our Gang ''. SUNY Press. ISBN 978 - 0 - 7914 - 8870 - 6. Santopietro, Tom ( 2012 ). The Godfather Effect : Changing Hollywood, America, and Me. St. Martin 's Press. ISBN 978 - 1 - 4299 - 5262 - 0. Sciannameo, Franco ( 2010 ). Nino Rota 's The Godfather Trilogy : A Film Score Guide. Scarecrow Press. ISBN 978 - 0 - 8108 - 7711 - 5. The Godfather Novels The Godfather The Sicilian The Godfather Returns The Godfather 's Revenge The Family Corleone Films The Godfather The Godfather Part II The Godfather Part III Video games The Godfather ( 1991 ) The Godfather ( 2006 ) The Godfather II ( 2009 ) Corleone family Vito Corleone Michael Corleone Tom Hagen Sonny Corleone Fredo Corleone Carmela Corleone Kay Adams - Corleone Connie Corleone Anthony Corleone Mary Corleone Vincent Corleone Sandra Corleone Family allies Genco Abbandando Luca Brasi Willi Cicci Peter Clemenza Johnny Fontane Paulie Gatto Carmine Marino Rocco Lampone Sal Narducci Al Neri Tommy Neri Ritchie Nobilio Frank Pentangeli Salvatore Tessio Don Tommasino Carlo Tramonti Family enemies Don Altobello Momo Barone Emilio Barzini Don Fanucci Vincent Forlenza Nick Geraci Archbishop Gilday Moe Greene Johnny Ola Carlo Rizzi Carmine Rosato Hyman Roth Louie Russo Virgil Sollozzo Anthony Stracci Bruno Tattaglia Philip Tattaglia Jack Woltz Joey Zasa Others Amerigo Bonasera Pat Geary Cardinal Lamberto Lucy Mancini Danny Shea Mickey Shea Billy Van Arsdale Aldo Trapani Albert Volpe Music The Godfather ( soundtrack ) The Godfather Part II ( soundtrack ) The Godfather Part III ( soundtrack ) `` Speak Softly, Love '' `` Promise Me You 'll Remember '' Miscellaneous List of minor characters in The Godfather series Mario Puzo Mark Winegardner Edward Falco Five Families Corleone The Godfather Effect The Godfather Papers and Other Confessions The Godfather Saga The Last Don Omertà Book Retrieved from `` https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=The_Godfather_(film_series)&oldid=804483756 '' Categories : Film series Films about dysfunctional families The Godfather films Films adapted into video games Hidden categories : Webarchive template wayback links All articles with unsourced statements Articles with unsourced statements from January 2016 Talk Contents About Wikipedia বাংলা Español Français Italiano 日本 語 Português Simple English Suomi Edit links This page was last edited on 9 October 2017, at 09 : 05. 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Question: when did the first godfather movie come out
Answer: March 15, 1972