The Godfather Coda: The Death of Michael Corleone
In December 2020, a recut version of the film, titled The Godfather Coda: The Death of Michael Corleone, was released to coincide with the 30th anniversary of the original version. Coppola called this version closer to his original vision for the film.
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The Godfather Coda: The Death of Michael Corleone
Full transcript
ARCHBISHOP: Don Corleone, I need your help. And not just to light a little candle. My gift was to be able to persuade people to give to the Holy Church. Then Rome decides to put me in charge of the Vatican Bank… but I was never a true banker. Mea culpa. I trusted my friends.
MICHAEL: Friendship and money… Oil and water…
ARCHBISHOP: Indeed. But these “friends” used the good name of the Church to feed their greed. If money was lost… then I am to blame. (SIGHING) If only prayer could pay off our 700 million dollar deficit.
MICHAEL: 769 million… The Church owns 25 percent of a large corporation. Immobiliare. You know the one I mean?
B.J. HARRISON: Largest landlord on Earth. Real estate worth six billion dollars.
ARCHBISHOP: That’s true.
MICHAEL: And the Vatican vote is necessary for control.
ARCHBISHOP: No, you’re mistaken. This isn’t a question of one person deciding. One deciding vote. This is like any other company in the world. We have directors, we have rules… we have very old rules. The Pope himself would have to approve you.
MICHAEL: We’ve sold the casinos. All businesses having to do with gambling. We have no interests or investments in anything illegitimate.
HARRISON: The Corleones are prepared to deposit 500 million dollars in the Vatican Bank at such time as Mr. Corleone receives majority control of Immobiliare.
MICHAEL: Immobiliare could be something new. A European conglomerate. Few families have control of such a company.
ARCHBISHOP: It seems, in today’s world, the power to absolve debt is greater than the power of forgiveness… 600 million dollars.
MICHAEL: Don’t overestimate the power of forgiveness.
ARCHBISHOP: Don Corleone, this deal with Immobiliare can make you one of the richest men in the world. Your whole past history, and the history of your family, and your children would be washed away… 600 million.
MICHAEL: The only wealth in this world is children. More than all the money and power on earth, you are my treasure. Although I entrusted your education to your mother for your own best interest, I look forward to seeing you, and to a new period of harmony in our lives. Perhaps you might prevail upon your mother to come to this celebration.
(TRADITIONAL ITALIAN MUSIC PLAYING)
(SINGING EH CUMPARI)
(INDISTINCT CHATTERING)
Don Altobello! Canta!, Canta!
LUCY MANCINI: Vincent, our name is not on the list.
VINCENT: Write it in. Mancini. M-A-N-C-I-N-I.
Is there a problem here?
VINCENT: No problem. My name isn’t on the list.
Then you have to leave immediately.
VINCENT: You want to dance with me?
Joe, it’s Vinnie. These are our guests.
I’m sorry. I’m sorry, sir.
Welcome to the party.
(SINGING CONTINUES)
(INDISTINCT)
JOEY ZASA: (SINGING ALONG)
(MUSIC STOPS)
(MIMICKING MELODY)
(A FEW PEOPLE RESUME SINGING)
(HUMMING MELODY IN ENCOURAGEMENT)
(PEOPLE JOINING IN)
(GUESTS APPLAUDING)
(INDISTINCT CHATTERING)
ALTOBELLO: It’s good to see you.
KAY: Good to see you. This is my husband.
ALTOBELLO: Sit down.
KAY: My son, Anthony.
The Order of Saint Sebastian is one of the highest honors the Church awards. It was first granted by Pope…
What about Mr. Corleone’s connections with gambling?
The press kits have…
What about his involvement with the underworld?
Cut the crap. The Pope, the Holy Father himself, has this very day blessed Michael Corleone. Do you know better than the Pope?
Vincent! She loves you.
VINCENT: Yeah? I love you too.
MARY: Hi, Vincent. I remember you.
VINCENT: From where?
MARY: The last party we were at together.
VINCENT: Did you come to the club?
MARY: No, it was a wedding. I was eight and you were 15.
VINCENT: I had many girlfriends when I was 15.
MARY: Eight-year-olds?
VINCENT: Especially them.
CONNIE: Where’s Mary? Would somebody please hail Mary? Excuse me, Your Excellency.
MARY: You haven’t kissed me hello yet. Relatives always kiss.
VINCENT: (LAUGHING) Now we’re related?
MARY: I’m your little cousin.
VINCENT: Who’s your father?
MARY: I’ll give you a hint. He’s Italian.
Mary, we’ve been waiting for you. Remember to keep your voice low. And smile. Don’t forget to smile.
(GUESTS APPLAUDING)
(PRESENTATION MUSIC PLAYING)
MARY: Daddy, I’m so nervous.
MICHAEL: (GREETING GUESTS IN ITALIAN) Carissimi amici. (IN ENGLISH) The honorary chairman of the Vito Corleone Foundation, my daughter, Mary Corleone.
MARY: Thanks. I think I inherited my father’s love for speechmaking. Here it goes. The Vito Corleone Foundation helps the poor in every country, gives grants to artists, funds medical research, and is particularly dedicated to the resurrection of Sicily. Archbishop Gilday, here is 100 million dollars for the poor of Sicily, in the name of Vito Corleone.
(GUESTS MURMURING)
MARY: Don’t spend it all in one place.
KAY: Mary, I’m so proud of you.
(EMCEE CHATTERING)
ARCHBISHOP: Michael… You’ve done a wonderful thing for Sicily.
MICHAEL: Let’s hope that the money gets to the people who need it.
ARCHBISHOP: Amen.
EMCEE: …the most important part: Johnny Fontane!
JOHNNY: Thank you very much. I’m happy to be here. I would like you to join me in honoring Commendatore Michael Corleone. I have something special for our godfather. I happen to know his favorite song. … Michael, where are you going? It’s your favorite song.
MICHAEL: I’m off to the kitchen to hear some Tony Bennett records.
(PEOPLE LAUGHING)
JOHNNY: Your favorite song, “Salsiccia’s Own.”
MICHAEL: I’m having a salsiccia sandwich. I’ll be back.
(SINGING TO EACH HIS OWN)
MICHAEL: Hello, Kay.
KAY: Congratulations, Michael. That’s quite an honor. But a little expensive, wouldn’t you say?
MICHAEL: Cake?
KAY: No, thank you.
(SINGING IN ITALIAN)
MICHAEL: It’s been a long time, hasn’t it?
KAY: Yeah.
MICHAEL: Eight years.
KAY: Yeah.
MICHAEL: You look wonderful.
KAY: Your son has something he wants to talk to you about. I came here for him.
(DOOR OPENS)
MICHAEL: What’s wrong with being a lawyer?
KAY: He wants his life to be in music.
MICHAEL: Music is great, I love music. But he should finish what he started. Anthony…
ANTHONY: I’m going my own way.
MICHAEL: Your own way? Professional singer?
ANTHONY: Yes.
MICHAEL: What happens if you fail?
ANTHONY: I won’t fail.
MICHAEL: Men always believe that. A law degree is like taking out insurance. After that you can work for me…
ANTHONY: I will never work for you. I have bad memories.
MICHAEL: Every family has bad memories.
ANTHONY: I’ll always be your son, but won’t have anything to do with your business.
MICHAEL: Anthony… finish the law degree.
ANTHONY: No.
KAY: Well, that he got from you. That “no.”
MICHAEL: You could’ve helped me convince him.
KAY: Convince him of what?
MICHAEL: Of what? He throws his life away.
(KAY SNORTS)
MICHAEL: He throws greatness away.
KAY: This is greatness? Now that you’re so respectable, you’re more dangerous than ever. I preferred you when you were just a common Mafia hood.
MICHAEL: Okay. Can we talk common sense here?
KAY: All right. … Tony knows that you killed Fredo.
MICHAEL: What did you come here for?
KAY: To protect my son. Not to see you disguised by your church. That was a shameful ceremony.
MICHAEL: I spent my life protecting my son. I spent my life protecting my family!
KAY: Let’s be reasonable, okay? That’s your big thing, isn’t it, Michael? Reason, backed up by murder.
MICHAEL: (WHISPERING) Oh, God. You hate me. You hate me. No.
KAY: I don’t hate you. I dread you.
MICHAEL: I did what I could, Kay, to protect all of you from the horrors of this world.
KAY: But you became my horror. The children still love you, though. Especially Mary.
MICHAEL: That’s something. We can build on that. For their sake, let’s try.
KAY: Only if you let Tony go free to have his own life, away from you.
MICHAEL: I’ll let Tony go.
KAY: Thank you.
(DISCO MUSIC PLAYING)
(INDISTINCT CHATTERING)
(PLAYING JEW’S HARP)
VINCENT: Hi.
GRACE: Hi.
VINCENT: You could hurt somebody with those. Let me show you around.
GRACE: Can you get me an interview with Michael Corleone?
VINCENT: No. I’m a relative, but I can’t do that. What else can I do for you?
GRACE: Handsome, but useless.
VINCENT: Oh, yeah?
GRACE: That’s okay, I’ll gamble.
VINCENT: Do you like to gamble? Let’s go to Atlantic City. I’ll show you how to gamble.
GRACE: Yeah, but I like to win. How do I know what numbers to bet?
VINCENT: Do I look like a guy who’s gonna lose?
GRACE: Well… Spooky-looking guy there. What’s a guy like that doing here at Michael Corleone’s house?
VINCENT: That’s Joey Zasa’s bulldog.
GRACE: You know that guy?
VINCENT: Yeah, I know that guy. That guy’s name is Anthony Squigilaro. They call him “The Ant.” He dips his bullets in cyanide.
(KNOCK ON DOOR)
MICHAEL: Don Altobello.
ALTOBELLO: I’ve come to pay my respects.
MICHAEL: Grazie. You honor my father’s friendship.
ALTOBELLO: Where is my goddaughter? Constanza!
CONNIE: Don Altobello.
ALTOBELLO: It was not so long ago that I held you in these old hands.
MICHAEL: Accomodatevi.
ALTOBELLO: Michael, I’ve lost all the venom, all the juice of youth. I’ve lost the lust for women, and now my mind is clear. My duty to God is clear. I have a special favor to ask of you. Can I attach my name to the Vito Corleone Foundation, so that you and I can be joined in name and spirit? One million dollars.
(CONNIE EXCLAIMING)
CONNIE: A lot of money… Godfather.
MICHAEL: Don Altobello, you have such a heart. Come, let’s go and sample some of that old vino.
ARCHBISHOP: The Vatican knows nothing about these shareholders.
B.J.: Good. I have a tendency to worry. We’ve increased our position substantially. Naturally, I worry.
ARCHBISHOP: Stop worrying, we have an agreement.
B.J.: Good. How do you think I got this gray hair?
Mr. Corleone, two seconds…
MICHAEL: Frank, how are you?
Thank you for your contribution to the swimming-pool. We need your help on Sam Wallace’s candidacy for judgeship.
MICHAEL: We can always use a good judge.
Thank you.
MICHAEL: Andrew! Excellency, my godson Andrew Hagen. My brother Tom’s eldest boy. He’s been assistant to Bishop Breelan for three years. Hopes to be assigned to the Vatican.
ARCHBISHOP: Rome needs fine young priests.
MICHAEL: His mother Teresa Hagen, Bishop Gilday.
TERESA: Honored to meet you.
GRACE: Mr. Corleone. Hi. Grace Hamilton. Vincent Mancini promised to tell you about me. That maybe you’d see me.
MICHAEL: Did Vincent Mancini call about her?
NERI: No.
Grace, you promised to stay out there…
GRACE: I know.
Twice.
GRACE: I know.
NERI: Joey Zasa showed up. He’s waiting in the lobby. He wants to personally congratulate you. Show his respect.
MICHAEL: Do I have to see him?
NERI: He says you’re his patron. He only wants a minute.
CONNIE: Hey, Vinnie!
CONNIE: Who’s your favorite aunt?
VINCENT: You are.
CONNIE: Today I’ll talk to Michael about your little problem.
VINCENT: If you’d warned me, I would have worn a better suit.
JOEY: The Meucci Association has elected you Italian-American Man of the Year.
MICHAEL: Meucci… Who’s Meucci?
JOEY: The Italian-American who invented the telephone, he did it one year before Alexander Graham Bell.
MICHAEL: And this is the reason you’ve come to my home on this day?
(SPEAKING ITALIAN)
JOEY: I… I’ve got a stone in my shoe, Mr. Corleone. A two-bit punk who works for me. The one who thinks he’s related to you. A bastard.
NERI: He’s here. Vincent Mancini. He’s at the party.
MICHAEL: Bring him in.
JOEY: I think it’s good that we talk.
MICHAEL: No, no, grazie. Accomodatevi.
JOEY: I have a problem… and I want to find out if it is my problem or your problem.
MICHAEL: Your business is your business. I have no interests or percentages from it.
JOEY: Good. Then it’s my problem.
CONNIE: Michael, you know Vincent Mancini. Sonny’s boy.
VINCENT: How you’re doing, Mr. Corleone?
MICHAEL: How you’re doing?
VINCENT: I’m good. How you’re doing? Good party.
MICHAEL: You like it?
VINCENT: Yes, I had to sneak in.
MICHAEL: You’re dressed for it. … So, what’s the trouble between you and Mr. Joe Zasa?
VINCENT: Just trouble. I’ll take care of it.
MICHAEL: That’s foolish of you.
VINCENT: (VOICE RISING) Foolish of me? It’s a little foolish of this guy, don’t you think? (SHOUTING) Right? (BELLOWING) Right?
MICHAEL: Temper like his father… Vincent… Mr. Joe Zasa now owns what used to be the Corleone business in New York.
VINCENT: (SCOFFS)
MICHAEL: Out of kindness, he gave you a job in his family. Contrary to my advice, you took the job. I offered you something better in the legitimate world. You turned me down. Now you both come to me with this bad blood. What do you expect me to do? Am I a gangster?
VINCENT: No, you are not a gangster.
CONNIE: That was Papa’s neighborhood. Now it’s a sewage. Zasa runs it like a disgrace!
MICHAEL: That’s the past, Connie.
JOEY: I earned that territory. The Commission gave it to me and you approved.
MICHAEL: Yes.
VINCENT: I came for the party, I’m not here to ask for any kind of help. I could kill this bastard.
MICHAEL: So kill him. What does all this have to do with me?
VINCENT: Well, he’s going behind your back, saying “Fuck Michael Corleone” all the time, that’s it. That’s one thing that has to do with you, right? Say it to his face, one time! Say it to his face, one time!
JOEY: Mr. Corleone, all bastards are liars. Shakespeare wrote poems about it.
VINCENT: (SHOUTING) What am I going to do with this guy? What am I going to do with this guy?
MICHAEL: Joey, if there’s some guy running around this city, saying, “Fuck Michael Corleone”… what do we do with a piece of shit like that? He’s a fucking dog.
JOEY: Yes, it’s true. If anyone would say such a thing, they would not be a friend, they would be a dog.
MICHAEL: My interests don’t conflict with Mr. Joey Zasa’s.
VINCENT: Oh, you don’t know how much they conflict with Mr. Joey Zasa’s, uncle Michael.
CONNIE: Quiet, Vincent. He needs your support, Michael!
VINCENT: Don’t let me work for this guy, uncle Michael, let me work for you.
MICHAEL: With me? As what? Tough guy? I don’t need tough guys. I need more lawyers. Since we have no conflicts or debts, I accept your tribute. I wish you well. Vincent, make your peace with Mr. Joe Zasa. Go on.
CONNIE (ENCOURAGING VINCENT SOFTLY)
JOEY: (WHISPERING) Bastardo…
VINCENT: (SNARLS)
(JOEY SCREAMING)
NERI: Vinnie, what’s the matter with you?
JOEY: (GROANING)
NERI: Get him out of here.
MICHAEL: Jesus Christ…
VINCENT: Uncle Michael, I told Connie this wasn’t the right time. Close it.
VINCENT: I know you’re into banks and Wall Street, but everyone knows you’re the final word, like the Supreme Court. All I want to do is protect you from these guys. Your lawyers can’t.
MICHAEL: But you can?
VINCENT: Yeah, I can do that.
MICHAEL: Why should I be afraid of Zasa?
VINCENT: You stop him from rising in the Commission. I say we make him dead. Give me the order, I’ll do it.
MICHAEL: You’ll do it?
VINCENT: Yeah.
MICHAEL: Maybe you should come with me for a few weeks. See what happens.
VINCENT: Okay.
MICHAEL: See if you learn. And we’ll talk about your future.
VINCENT: I won’t let you down.
(DOOR CLOSING)
PHOTOGRAPHER: It’s about ready.
LUCY: So, what happened?
VINCENT: What happened? If I’m in a room with Zasa, what happens? I bit his ear off.
PHOTOGRAPHER: Here we go. Watch the card.
MICHAEL: Hold it!
MICHAEL: Vincent…
VINCENT: Yeah.
MICHAEL: Take the picture with us.
MARY: Nice jacket.
PHOTOGRAPHER: Closer to the center, sir. Smile!
(ORCHESTRA PLAYING TRADITIONAL MUSIC)
Godfather, this is the cake for you and your family from Enzo the baker.
MICHAEL: Grazie. Do you want to do it?
ALTOBELLO: Cent’anni! Cent’anni!
ALL: Cent’anni!
(GRACE MOANING CONTENTEDLY)
GRACE: Vincent?
VINCENT: What do you want, sweetheart?
GRACE: Do you love me?
VINCENT: Come on, go to bed.
GRACE: Come on, say it. (INSISTS)
VINCENT: I love you.
GRACE: I love you, too.
(GLASS CLINKING)
GRACE: You’ve got a cat?
VINCENT: Go get us some water, I’m thirsty. Come on. Come on.
GRACE: Well, I guess I know my place. I can’t believe I’m actually doing this. “Get me water, bake me a cake…” What happened to “please”?
GRACE: (GASPING)
VINCENT: Good boy, Sackface. Go for a walk.
Let her go.
MAN: Cut her throat, man.
What did you say?
VINCENT: Cut her fucking throat.
Okay, chief…
Drop your gun or he’ll cut her throat.
VINCENT: I hardly know her, so cut her. What the fuck do I care?
You’ve got no choice. She’ll be dead.
VINCENT: If you do, I’ll kill you both. Give up that knife, I’ll let you go.
MAN: Cut her throat! Right now!
GRACE: (MUFFLED SCREAMING)
(VINCENT YELLS) I’ll do something that’ll convince you. Don’t get frightened. Just watch me.
(GASPING)
Oh, shit!
VINCENT: Drop the knife. Drop it! … Good boy. Sit down, I want to talk to you. It was a wise choice. Sit down.
(GASPING)
VINCENT: Lose the mask. Relax, have a smoke. You smoke? Whose idea was this? Who sent you? Tell me who sent you.
(COUGHING) No one.
VINCENT: Did you take a look at this guy?
Yeah.
VINCENT: Who sent you?
It was Joey Zasa.
(GUNSHOT)
(SUBWAY RUMBLING BY)
VINCENT: Are you okay?
GRACE: (SOBS) You were going to let them kill me!
VINCENT: No, I wasn’t…
GRACE: You pig! You sick fuck!
VINCENT: You wanted gambling. That’s gambling. Call the police.
GRACE: You killed the other guy too?
VINCENT: He went for my gun. It was self-defense. Go ahead, call the police.
GRACE: No, no… I’m taking pictures.
VINCENT: No pictures.
MICHAEL: You had a gun! They only had a knife. You could have handed them over to the police.
VINCENT: Zasa sent them. I just sent him a message.
MICHAEL: Now he has to send you one back.
VINCENT: Zasa is going to send me one back?
He did the right thing. He got Zasa’s name!
MICHAEL: What has Joey Zasa to do with anything? Joey Zasa is a pazzo. All right. You are what you are. It’s your nature. Stay close to me. Don’t do anything. Keep your mouth shut and your eyes open. And you do what I tell you. I understand. I have problems with the Commission.
VINCENT: I know.
MICHAEL: You don’t make them easier.
VINCENT: It wasn’t my idea that this happened.
MICHAEL: Get out of here.
CONNIE: Michael…
MICHAEL: Yes?
CONNIE: Now they’ll fear you.
MICHAEL: Maybe they should fear you.
MICHAEL: B.J., what’s up?
B.J.: The Archbishop just called back. We’ve arranged some amazing things. The publicity is phenomenal. You’re the new Rockefeller. A philanthropist.
Sign here, please.
MICHAEL: Times do change, don’t they? My father hated foundations. He loved doing it by himself. Man to man. But we’re different.
No different than any large corporation. We control a lot of money with little. Minimize taxes. With no government control.
(TELEPHONE RINGING)
ANDREW: Godfather.
MICHAEL: Andrew.
MICHAEL: Off to Rome… I wanted to thank you for everything.
MICHAEL: Do you want some breakfast?
Thanks, I can’t.
MICHAEL: How’s your Italian?
Devo fare un po’ di pratica.
MICHAEL: His father was a great lawyer.
I know.
MICHAEL: Didn’t live to see him ordained. I did. Did you ever see one of those?
(GRUNTS)
MICHAEL: Beautiful. I was so proud. Let me walk you out.
If you hear any rumors in the Vatican, let me know.
MICHAEL: No, Andrew has the true faith.
MAN 1: The motion under discussion relates to Corleone Group’s proposal to acquire 100,000,000 newly issued Class A voting shares.
MAN 2: …Corleone capital invested directly into International Immobiliare, an old and respected European company. Mr. Corleone has an ambitious program to expand this real estate company into an international conglomerate…
MICHAEL: …by Eastern techniques of efficiency and focus and unlimited…
Mr. Corleone, excuse me. Didn’t you recently deposit 200 million in the Vatican Bank, which is affiliated with Immobiliare?
MICHAEL: True. Why not?
Wasn’t there any questioning about the timing on this particular deposit?
Mr. Chairman, if I may? The Vito Andolini Corleone Foundation, of which Mary Corleone is chairman, has made an endowment of 100 million dollars. The money comes from his own family and will be administered by the Vatican. Does that answer your question?
MICHAEL: My fellow shareholders, if Europe and America can learn to co-operate, if we can learn to pool our wealth, share our markets, we can defeat any competition anywhere in the world. Thank you for your time. I hope that you will look favorably on my proposal. Thank you.
(PEOPLE APPLAUDING)
Let me have this microphone here. Will we let a criminal run our company? He’s got the map of Sicily on his face!
CHAIRMAN: Order!
He’s either a Catholic or a mafioso…
(FEEDBACK ECHOING)
(MAN CONTINUES CLAMORING WITHOUT AMPLIFICATION)
Mr. Chairman… the Vatican Bank feels that International Immobiliare… will be safe in Mr. Corleone’s hands… subject to audit and final ratification, which must take place in Rome. Please join me in welcoming Mr. Michael Corleone.
MICHAEL: Mary, this is real. This foundation is real. I wanted Anthony to be part of it. I thought you would be together on this. I won’t interfere. I’ll help, but only if you ask.
What is this really for? Why are you doing this? Why am I doing this?
MICHAEL: I’m doing this for my children. You’re doing it for your children too.
This foundation is supposed to help all people.
MICHAEL: That’s the purpose. This is legitimate. Mary, I swear, this is legitimate.
Dad, I want this to bring me closer to you.
MICHAEL: I would burn in hell to keep you safe.
ALTOBELLO: Go in the other car. I’ll ride with Michael. Go, go, go.
ALTOBELLO: Your old partners are grateful for the money you made them. They worship you… but their hearts are broken, because they think you abandoned them. They want to share your deal on Immobiliare, to be a family again. It can purify their money.
MICHAEL: This I cannot do. Immobiliare must be legitimate.
ALTOBELLO: I know. But they’re unhappy.
MICHAEL: And you?
ALTOBELLO: I ask nothing for myself. Only peace in my old age. But I must please the world around me. Michael, your father was a reasonable man. Learn from him.
MICHAEL: I learnt many things from my father. Call a meeting, my friend, so there are no debts or grudges. We will make the peace, you and I.
VATICAN CITY, ROME
(BROADCASTER CHATTERING IN ITALIAN ON RADIO)
(IN ITALIAN)
ABBANDANDO: They’ve had a press conference. The Pope’s condition is grave. “Gravissimo.”
(ALL PRAYING IN LATIN)
KEINSZIG: (IN GERMAN) The purpose of this meeting is to ratify the motion passed by our shareholders in New York.
SHAREHOLDER: (IN ENGLISH) Please… Our group represents a consortium of Catholic businessmen against the Corleone control.
B.J.: The Vatican has cast its vote. Corleone Group already controls the Board.
KEINSZIG: According to the Lateran Treaty, the Vatican vote must be ratified here. Here in Rome, by the Pope.
ARCHBISHOP GILDAY: The Pope is gravely ill. Until he recovers, I am powerless.
B.J.: What if he dies?
KEINSZIG: Then… as you Americans say, all bets are off.
ARCHBISHOP GILDAY: Gentlemen, please. This is a brief delay. Nothing more.
MICHAEL: Your Excellency, gentlemen… I advise you to join us in our prayers for the Holy Father’s recovery.
B.J.: We had an agreement! This meeting was to be merely a formality. That’s all it was.
KEINSZIG: Please sit down.
B.J.: I’d rather stand. Can someone just give me me an answer? We have put ourselves on the line.
KEINSZIG: The Immobiliare has its roots in the European tradition. Please try to understand.
MICHAEL: I understand. Your tactics are despicable.
KEINSZIG: Well, that’s quite an indictment, coming from a Corleone.
ARCHBISHOP GILDAY: Gentlemen, gentlemen!
Remember you are in the Vatican, please!
MICHAEL: What is it that you want?
LUCCHESI: Yes, you will take control. We’ll gladly put you at the helm of our little fleet, but our ships must all sail in the same direction. Otherwise, who can say how long your stay with us will last? (SNORTS) It’s not personal. It’s only business. You should know, Godfather.
MICHAEL: Very well. You want to do business with me? I will do business with you.
MICHAEL: Vipers, all of them.
MICHAEL: We’re back with the Borgias!
ANDREW: Uncle Michael…
MICHAEL: Andrew!
ANDREW: I heard you were here. It’s so nice to see you. Vincent, it’s so nice.
VINCENT: How are you?
ANDREW: Liste, what is this about the Borgias? Those days are over.
VINCENT: Recognize it?
MARY: Yeah.
Genco Olive Oil. That’s where our grandfather started as a delivery boy. Three years later he owned it.
Only in America.
That’s it.
Vincenzo, where have you been hiding? We need your help so badly.
What can I do for you?
Get rid of Joe Zasa. He sells drugs…
Now that I’m an older woman, I’m afraid to go out at night.
Where should they be now?
Lou, what’s going on? We’re late.
Have I ever let you down? I trust you.
Don’t worry.
Thank you.
Enjoy yourselves.
VINCENT: The neighborhood’s in trouble.
Do you keep an eye out for them?
Yes.
And for me?
From now on.
I’ve missed you all this time.
I missed you too, cousin. I missed growing up with my cousins. I didn’t even know you, but missed you.
Do you remember stories about our fathers? The old days?
Yeah, what do you want to know?
What was Sonny like?
VINCENT: Well, he was the Prince of the City. He died before I was born, but I’ve heard a lot about him.
What about my father?
He’s a great man. He’s a hero. He saved the family.
Vincent?
What?
Did he kill his own brother?
No.
So, it’s all lies?
Just stories, sweetheart. Okay?
Okay.
I’m glad you’re around.
I’m glad you’re here too. Cugina…
Cous…
VINCENT: I’d like to take Joey Zasa for a ride in this and drop him.
MICHAEL: Joey Zasa is nothing. He’s a small time enforcer. He bluffs and threatens. He’s nothing. You can see him coming a mile away.
VINCENT: We should kill him before he…
MICHAEL: No! Never hate your enemies. It affects your judgement.
ATLANTIC CITY, NEW JERSEY
Nice to see you again, Mr. Corleone.
(BAND PLAYING JAZZ)
(MUSIC STOPS)
Hey, girls. Let’s go.
(SHUSHING)
We trusted you to manage our money in the casinos. It’s not even 20 years. You’ve sold the casinos and made fortunes for all of us. Bravo, Don Corleone!
(ALL AGREEING IN ITALIAN)
MICHAEL: Thank you. Friends, I have come here because our business together is done. We have prospered, and now it is time for us to dissolve the business relationship between us. That’s it. But I do have a little surprise. Al? Your shares in the casinos. I thought I cut through all the red tape, so you could get your money right away.
(MEN CHATTERING IN ITALIAN)
50 million dollars!
MICHAEL: Not everybody gets the same.
Nothing for you…
MICHAEL: It depends on your investment.
MAN: Michael, this is really generous!
Wonderful!
(MAN WHISTLING)
(THANKS IN ITALIAN)
Parisi, how much did you invest?
I don’t remember.
You’re blessed.
My family has done much of the hard work, taken many risks. All to make money for the rest of the families.
MICHAEL: You all know Joey Zasa. He is, I admit, an important man. His picture is on the cover of the New York Times magazine. He gets the Esquire Magazine award for the best dressed gangster.
(MEN CHUCKLING SOFTLY)
MICHAEL: The newspapers praise him because he hires Blacks, which shows he has a good heart. He is famous. Who knows? Maybe one day he’ll make all of you popular.
(MEN MURMURING)
It’s true. I make more of a bella figura. That is my nature. But I also want to make a move into legitimate enterprises. I’d like a little pin from the Pope. Sure, I take the Blacks and the Spanish into my family, because that’s America.
MICHAEL: And you guarantee that they don’t deal drugs?
I don’t guarantee that. I guarantee that I’ll kill anybody who does.
(SOFTLY) Let me talk to him.
MICHAEL: Who can refuse Don Altobello?
Joey, are you…
No! I say to all of you, I have been treated this day with no respect. I’ve earned you all money. I’ve made you rich and I asked for little. Good. You will not give, so I’ll take! As for Don Corleone, he makes it very clear to me today that he is my enemy. You must choose between us.
(MEN MUTTERING)
ALTOBELLO: No, Joey!
We could reason together.
No. Michael, please…
PARISI: Michael, the news is everywhere. Everyone says that you control Immobiliare.
MAN: Immobiliare is already laundering money in Peru and Nassau.
We’ve worked with you for 40 years. We should wet our beaks a little.
We want to do business with you.
That’s right, we’ve been together…
(RUMBLING)
It’s a hit! Let’s go!
MAN: Let’s get out of here! Move!
(HELICOPTER WHIRRING)
(MACHINE GUN FIRING)
My coat! It’s my lucky coat! It’s my lucky coat!
(GROANING)
Stay behind me!
(MACHINE GUN FIRING)
Mikey, this way!
(ALARM CLANGING)
(SIRENS APPROACHING)
(GLASS SHATTERING)
VINCENT: Come on. We’re out of here.
(HORN BLARING RHYTHMICALLY)
(THUNDER RUMBLING)
MICHAEL: You did good, Vincent. Grazie.
NERI: The old Dons were pretty much wiped out. The survivors made deals with Zasa.
MICHAEL: Altobello?
He survived. He’s with his daughters in Staten Island. He says he’s going to retire in Sicily.
MICHAEL: Joey Zasa would never pull something like this without the backing. He’s just muscle. He doesn’t have the wit for that helicopter attack. He doesn’t even have the ambition to wipe out the whole Commission.
VINCENT: I say we hit back and take Zasa out!
(MAN REPORTING EVENTS ON TV)
MICHAEL: (WHISPERING) Never let anyone know what you’re thinking.
MICHAEL: Let’s get a message to Joey Zasa. I respect what he’s done. The new overthrows the old. It’s natural.
VINCENT: How can you do business with this guy?
MICHAEL: I’m a businessman, first and foremost. I want no further conflict.
VINCENT: Tell him that he can live or he can die.
MICHAEL: Vincent, will you shut up!
MICHAEL: That’s it. Joey Zasa… He can’t be doing this alone. Just when I thought I was out, they pull me back in. … Our true enemy has not yet shown his face.
CONNIE: Michael!
(MICHAEL GASPING)
It’s his diabetes! Has he had his medicine?
CONNIE: I don’t know what he took.
(PANTING HEAVILY)
I’ve got my wind back.
NERI: Call a doctor.
Run, run, run!
CONNIE: Vincent!
MICHAEL: Run at thunder, girl! Thunder can’t hurt! Harmless noise! Bullshit! You deceitful old fuck! Altobello, you fuck! Fredo! Fredo!
(PARAMEDICS CHATTERING)
Oh, God! Dad!
(MARY SOBBING)
Excuse me.
CONNIE: I’ll call Kay.
Good evening, sir.
B.J.: Can we wait here? We’ll be back soon.
Mr. Harrison, you said it was urgent. Have you come to confess your sins?
B.J.: Michael Corleone has had a diabetic stroke. I wanted you to know about it. He’s in a coma. I’m here to insist the deal goes through in any event.
The Pope has not much time left. So, as you, I am in a difficult position.
B.J.: We have to ratify this deal as soon as possible.
We have an understanding.
B.J.: Good. I’m going to the hospital.
I’ll pray for Mr. Corleone.
Our thoughts are with Mr. Corleone.
B.J.: Thank you, Father Jim.
Everything will be out in the open if Corleone dies.
Play for time, Keinszig. A habit born of a long contemplation of eternity.
KAY: Hello, Michael.
(GRUNTS INQUISITIVELY)
KAY: It’s Kay.
MICHAEL: Kay… I never expected you.
KAY: (CLEARING THROAT) No, I know. But I’m here.
MICHAEL: I’m glad.
KAY: You know… I’ve never seen you looking so helpless.
MICHAEL: It’s not so bad, really. I feel… I’m getting wiser now.
KAY: Yeah.
MICHAEL: Oh, yeah.
KAY: The sicker you get, the wiser you get?
MICHAEL: When I’m dead, I’ll be really smart.
KAY: Michael… I want to thank you for Tony. He’s doing really well. He’s gotten some very good notices, and he’ll make his operatic debut in Sicily, in Palermo this Easter, so… So, thank you.
MICHAEL: That’s a real honor. In Sicily. I will be there. I won’t miss that. I won’t miss that.
KAY: Mary, Tony… Go see Dad.
(BOTH EXCLAIMING)
MICHAEL: Sweetheart!
MARY: Everything’s going to be all right.
MICHAEL: Tony!
ANTHONY: How are you doing, Pop?
MICHAEL: Your mother told me what happened.
ANTHONY: About Palermo? I hope you’ll be there.
MICHAEL: Of course. Kiss me.
MARY: (ON PA) Cousin Vinnie?
He’s not here. Call his apartment.
(WHISPERING) It’s your cousin Mary.
VINCENT: Let her in.
MARY: Hi, cous.
VINCENT: Hi.
MARY: I thought I’d drop by. Is that okay?
I’ll get the guys.
VINCENT: No, it’s not okay. You shouldn’t have come, Mary. Only a couple of minutes, okay? You look beautiful, cous.
MARY: Thanks. So this is your club, your hideout?
VINCENT: Yeah.
MARY: I came here to check it out.
MARY: It’s so strange, just me and Aunt Connie in the house. I feel better when I’m with you.
VINCENT: What’s wrong, sweetheart?
I’m scared about my father.
VINCENT: Don’t be.
MARY: When they took him out of the ambulance, I thought he was dead.
VINCENT: Everybody says he’s going to be better. Don’t worry.
MARY: I remember a shooting when I was little. And one time Al Neri and other bodyguards took me and Tony away. Is it all happening again?
VINCENT: Not like that, sweetie.
MARY: Then why are you hiding here? Is something going to happen to you?
VINCENT: Nothing’s going to happen to me, cugina. We’ll take care of you.
MARY: Can I stay here and hide out with you?
VINCENT: Can you help me cook for the boys?
MARY: You know that I don’t know how to cook, but I’ll help.
(CHUCKLES NERVOUSLY)
VINCENT: Okay…
MARY: What do I do?
MARY: I love you, cous.
VINCENT: I love you, too, cous. Let us cook.
VINCENT: Hold me.
(FANFARE PLAYING)
You in the press and the police use words like “Mafia,” “Cosa Nostra.” This is a fantasy. We Italian-Americans laid the bricks that built this city. We have Meucci, who invented the telephone. We have Don Ameche, who played the guy who invented it. Buy yourself a raffle ticket, maybe you’ll win a Cadillac. The salsiccia is wonderful! Here, have a sandwich.
Nice to see you, Mr. Zasa.
Have a nice time.
Don’t forget to buy your raffle tickets.
What are you doing?
He didn’t mean it.
Tell him you’re sorry.
Okay, let’s go.
Joey! How are you?
How are you, Buddy boy?
Hey, Joey Zasa! Joey, up your ass!
Who is this? Do you know him?
Ignore him.
Who’s going to win the car? The Ant?
This is what gives Italian-Americans a bad name. A cappone like this.
Joey, up your ass!
Get off the car! Do you have a raffle ticket?
Joey, take a look at my raffle ticket!
Here’s what I think of you… and your raffle ticket.
Get the fuck off this car. I’ll break your fucking balls.
(BOTH ARGUING)
Get out of here!
(PEOPLE SCREAMING)
Run, Joey! You piece of shit!
JOEY: Open the door!
VINCENT: How are you, Joe? Zasa!
MICHAEL: Don’t ever again give that kind of order. Not while I’m alive. Understand?
You were too sick to make a decision. I got a go-ahead from Neri and Connie.
Connie?
(AGREEING)
It was the right decision, Uncle Mike.
MICHAEL: It was the wrong decision. I command this family! Right or wrong… it was not what I wanted! (SEETHING) (QUIETLY) Do you understand?
NERI: Yes.
CONNIE: Come on, Michael. … Yes.
MICHAEL: Good. Vincent, help me to my bed. I want to talk to you alone for a minute.
MICHAEL: (GASPS) You know, I always felt responsible for you. You know that. Your father… my brother, we were opposites. We would fight and argue. But I never doubted his love. He would do anything for me. But his temper… Too much. It clouded his reason. I don’t want you to make that mistake. Also… he, too, had a way with women. Vincent…
VINCENT: So I hear.
MICHAEL: What are you doing with my daughter? What are you doing with her? (SOFTLY) It’s too dangerous. (WHISPERING) Do you hear me? … Okay. … Vincenzo… When they come, they’ll come at what you love.
BAGHERIA, SICILY
(HORN HONKS)
(SHOUTING EXCITEDLY IN ITALIAN)
(BAND PLAYING)
MICHAEL: How are you? Don Bendino, my old friend.
MICHAEL: I brought you here, so that my old friend and protector, Don Tommasino, could advise us.
(IN ITALIAN)
VINCENT: A blood bath in Atlantic City left New York a mess. Joey Zasa at least was running a tight ship, but with him out of the picture we must step in.
MICHAEL: Step back in…
VINCENT: Or the Chinese and Colombians will.
(IN ITALIAN)
(IN ITALIAN)
(IN ITALIAN)
MICHAEL: (IN ENGLISH) “Our ships must all sail in the same direction…” Italian politics have had these men for centuries. They are the true Mafia.
B.J.: The Archbishop and the Vatican Bank, that’s the big problem.
MICHAEL: They’re the same problem. B.J., they’re connected. The Archbishop has powerful friends. They totally protect him.
(IN ITALIAN)
(IN ITALIAN)
MICHAEL: I will see this Cardinal Lamberto and see if we can work things out.
VINCENT: You honor your agreements, but you are dealing with crooks. They have no honor.
MICHAEL: My word is final.
(MICHAEL IN ITALIAN)
(PEOPLE PRAISING IN ITALIAN) Politics and crime, they’re the same thing.
MICHAEL: I’ve invited you all here to celebrate my son’s debut in an opera house…
MARY: We’ll play “Philadelphia.” Seven cards. Two down, four up. Deuces and one-eyed jacks are wild.
MICHAEL: …in the opera “Cavallaria Rusticana.”
ANTHONY: It’s “Cavalleria Rusticana,” Dad.
MICHAEL: “Cavalleria.” I think I have tickets to the wrong opera. I’ve been in New York too long. You will all receive tickets, so come on time.
ANTHONY: Dad, I’ve got a present for you.
(ASKING PERMISSION IN ITALIAN)
ANTHONY: It comes from the town of Corleone and it’s authentic Sicilian. And… I learnt it for you.
(ANTHONY STARTS SINGING “BRUCIA LA TERRA,” A SICILIAN BALLAD WRITTEN BY GIUSEPPE RINALDI)
Brucia la luna n’cielu
E ju bruciu d’amuri
Focu ca si consuma
Comu lu me cori
L’anima chianci
Addulurata
Non si da paci
Ma cchi mala nuttata
Lu tempu passa
Ma non agghiorna
Non c’e mai suli
S’idda non torna
Brucia la terra mia
E abbrucia lu me cori
Cchi siti d’acqua idda
E ju siti d’amuri
Acu la cantu
La me canzuni
Si no c’e nuddu
Ca s’a affacia
A lu barcuni
Brucia la luna n’cielu
E ju bruciu d’amuri
Focu ca si consuma
Comu lu…
MICHAEL: She was wonderful, beautiful. I loved her. And then she died. My trusted bodyguard planted a bomb in my car. She drove it before I did.
ANTHONY: Why is such a beautiful country so violent?
MICHAEL: History.
MARY: Mom was telling me about when your biggest worry was passing your exams.
MICHAEL: Yes, it was then.
MARY: I worry about you now.
MICHAEL: Oh, Mary, you’re such a warm-hearted girl. You always were.
MARY; I love my family.
MICHAEL: Even your cousin Vincent?
MARY: I really love him.
MICHAEL: He’s your first cousin.
MARY: Then I love him first.
MICHAEL: Mary, you can’t see him. Just don’t see him anymore.
ANTHONY: He’s right. It’s too dangerous.
MICHAEL: Mary, you can’t see him anymore.
(BELL TOLLING)
MICHAEL: Not in that fashion.
MARY: No.
MICHAEL: Please, promise me.
MARY: No!
(POP SONG BLARING ON RADIO)
VINCENT: Bella cugina… Tesoro mio.
VINCENT: You wanted to see me?
MICHAEL: Yeah. I want you to do something for me. It’s dangerous.
VINCENT: Good. I’m in. What do you need?
MICHAEL: I want you to sell your soul to Don Altobello. To betray me.
VINCENT: He’d never believe me.
MICHAEL: That depends.
VINCENT: Sit down.
MICHAEL: I have an idea. See if you can learn how high Altobello is connected. Arrange a meeting. You say how devoted you are to me. Tell him your problems. Ask for his help.
VINCENT: What problems?
MICHAEL: That you want to run away with my daughter. But you know that if you do, I will become your enemy.
VINCENT: You know that I would never do that.
MICHAEL: I know.
VINCENT: Ask Altobello to speak to me. To further the marriage.
ALTOBELLO: But you’re cousins, after all. Michael was always a little old-fashioned.
MICHAEL: Say you can’t belong to my legitimate world. That you want your own family.
VINCENT: I could straighten out what Joey Zasa left behind. If you could use your friendship to persuade him, I would be indebted to you forever. A Corleone knows the value of such a friend.
ALTOBELLO: Then you would work for me?
VINCENT: Si. Bacio la mano, Don Altobello.
MICHAEL: If he hints that he wants you to betray me, get insulted, because that’s his trap.
ALTOBELLO: You’re not telling me the whole truth, Vincenzo. Isn’t it true, that with Michael gone, the girl controls everything?
VINCENT: Leave the girl out of this.
ALTOBELLO: Of course, you love her. And she loves you. … I guessed it, didn’t I?
VINCENT: You’re a wise man, Don Altobello. I’ll be learning a lot from you.
ALTOBELLO: The richest man is the one with the most powerful friends. It’s my duty to make the introductions.
(GREETS RESPECTFULLY IN ITALIAN)
ALTOBELLO: Don Lucchesi.
LUCCHESI: Don Altobello tells me that you have a strong character. A man of respect.
ALTOBELLO: This is the hero who put Joey Zasa in his grave. If we’d known of his existence, we wouldn’t have backed Joey.
LUCCHESI: No one wants another Joe. Let me be your friend. Even the strongest man needs friends.
VINCENT: I’m flattered. You’re a man of finance and politics. Things I don’t understand.
LUCCHESI: (SCOFFS) You understand guns. Finance is a gun. Politics is knowing when to pull the trigger.
VINCENT: How can I help?
LUCCHESI: (CHUCKLES KNOWINGLY) Vieni?
MICHAEL: I trusted this business arrangement with the Archbishop. I trusted him. I was sure his honesty was beyond a doubt. But, as you see, I’m now the victim of a swindle. He’s stalling me. Vast monies have gone to people in high political places and the Vatican Bank is the guarantor.
CARDINAL: If what you say is true, there will be a great scandal. Look at this stone. It has been in the water for a very long time, but the water has not penetrated it. Look… Perfectly dry. The same thing has happened to men in Europe. For centuries they have been surrounded by Christianity, but Christ has not penetrated. Christ doesn’t live within them.
MICHAEL: (GASPING)
CARDINAL: What’s happening?
MICHAEL: Could you get me something sweet? Some orange juice, candy…
CARDINAL: (IN ITALIAN) Per favore, una spremuta d’arancia e dei dolci.
MICHAEL: I have trouble with diabetes. (GASPING) My blood sugar goes low.
CARDINAL: I understand.
MICHAEL: (IN ITALIAN) Grazie. (IN ENGLISH) It happens sometimes when I’m under stress.
CARDINAL: I understand.
MICHAEL: To come to you on such a delicate matter… Accusations against your Archbishop. It was difficult for me.
CARDINAL: The mind suffers and the body cries out.
MICHAEL: That’s true.
CARDINAL: Would you like to make your confession?
MICHAEL: (CHUCKLES) Your Eminence, I’m… It’s been so long. I wouldn’t… I wouldn’t know where to… It’s been 30 years. I’d use up too much of your time, I think.
CARDINAL: I always have time to save souls.
MICHAEL: Well, I’m beyond redemption.
CARDINAL: No, no…
CARDINAL: (IN ITALIAN) Potete andare via per due-tre minuti, per favore? Grazie.
CARDINAL: I hear the confessions of my own priests here. Sometimes the desire to confess is overwhelming, and we must seize the moment.
MICHAEL: What is the point of confessing if I don’t repent?
CARDINAL: I hear you are a practical man. What have you got to lose? … Go on.
MICHAEL: (SIGHS) I… (CLEARING THROAT) …betrayed my wife.
CARDINAL: Go on, my son.
(BELL TOLLING)
MICHAEL: I betrayed myself. I killed men. And I ordered men to be killed.
CARDINAL: Go on, my son. Go on.
MICHAEL: It’s useless.
CARDINAL: Go on, my son.
MICHAEL: I killed… I ordered the death of my brother. He injured me. I killed my mother’s son. (SOBBING) I killed my father’s son. (WEEPING QUIETLY)
CARDINAL: Your sins are terrible, and it is just that you suffer. Your life could be redeemed, but I know that you don’t believe that. You will not change.
MICHAEL: (CONTINUES SOBBING)
CARDINAL: (ABSOLVING IN LATIN) Ego te absolvo in nomine Patris et Filii et Spiritus Sancti. Amen.
(BELL TOLLING)
(REPORTER TALKING SOMBERLY IN ITALIAN ON RADIO) Papa Paolo VI, il sommo pontefice della Chiesa Cattolica romana, si è spento in seguito ad un attacco cardiaco la scorsa notte, alle ore 21:40. Il Papa, ottantunenne, soffriva di cattiva salute da diversi mesi ed era universalmente rispettato per le sue qualità intellettuali e spirituali e per la sua umiltà e compassione. La sua perdita è…
MICHAEL: Connie… All my life I’ve kept trying to go up in society. To where everything higher up was legal, straight… But the higher I go, the more crooked it becomes. Where the hell does it end? … (SIGHS) … They’ve been killing each other for centuries here. For money, for pride, for family. To keep from becoming the slaves of the rich pezzi da novanta. … I made confession, Connie. I confessed my sins.
CONNIE: Why? That’s not like you. You don’t have to confess your sins to a stranger.
MICHAEL: It was the man. He’s a good man. A true priest. He can change things.
CONNIE: Michael… You know, sometimes I think of poor Fredo. Drowned. It was God’s will. It was a terrible accident. But it’s finished. … Michael, I love you. I’ll always help you.
CONNIE: (CRYING QUIETLY)
MICHAEL: Oh, Connie…
(GREETING IN ITALIAN) Benvenuto, Don Altobello.
(IN ITALIAN) Io sono molto onorato, Don Altobello, che voi avete fatto tutta questa strada da Palermo per venirmi a trovare.
ALTOBELLO: (IN ITALIAN) Hey, il picciriddu! È cresciuto. Fa’ u sceccu..
(BRAYING)
(NICKERS)
(MAN CHATTERING IN ITALIAN OVER PA)
CONNIE: Kay!
KAY: Connie!
CONNIE: How are you?
KAY: Mary, I’ve missed you. Hello, Michael.
MICHAEL: Hello.
MARY: Mom, look at this.
KAY: (GASPING) (CHUCKLING IN AMAZEMENT)
CONNIE: It’s too bad Douglas couldn’t come.
KAY: I know. He had a very important trial.
MICHAEL: I know he wanted to come. The car is…
KAY: Okay.
Well, your son is an artist.
Oh, yes. Thanks to you.
What for?
For making me let him go.
Well, after all these years, here I am in Sicily for the first time.
MARY: I want to get a picture of you together.
KAY: Okay.
MARY: Hey, Dad. Smile!
KAY: I see you still have Al Neri. Why?
MICHAEL: I need him. He helps me get in and out of the car.
KAY: (STIFLING LAUGHTER)
MICHAEL: He carries my briefcase.
KAY: You’re still a liar, Michael.
MICHAEL: Let me show you Sicily, the real Sicily. So you’ll understand the family history.
KAY: I think I understand it well enough.
(SPEAKING ITALIAN)
MICHAEL: Anthony, I have something you made for me a very long time ago. Might bring you luck.
ANTHONY: Thanks. You saved it…
MICHAEL: I remember.
ANTHONY: I know. Thank you, Dad.
MICHAEL: I’m proud of you.
ANTHONY: Thank you.
(FOOTSTEPS APPROACHING)
(FOOTSTEPS STOP)
CONNIE: Are they as good as they look?
VINCENT: Better. They’re the best. As long as they are around, Uncle Michael is safe.
MARY: Goodbye.
KAY: Tell your father I’ll be back for dinner.
MARY: Okay. Have fun.
KAY: Tell Tony to wait for me.
MARY: I will.
MICHAEL: Buongiorno, signora. At your service.
KAY: (SNORTS IN SURPRISE)
MARY: If I see Dad, I’ll tell him you left.
CONNIE: You’re the only one left with my father’s strength. If anything happens to Michael, I want you to strike back.
VINCENT: I’ll have everything ready.
CONNIE: Do you swear?
VINCENT: I swear to you.
MICHAEL: Here it is. The house where my father was born. This is where they came to take him when he was a boy. To kill him.
(TRADITIONAL MUSIC PLAYING)
KAY: Wait… Listen to that. … You know Mary’s in love.
MICHAEL: Yes, I know.
KAY: With a handsome, young Italian man with dark eyes…
MICHAEL: I won’t allow it. It’s wrong. It’s wrong and it’s dangerous.
(IN ITALIAN)
(EXCLAIMS)
(CONTINUES RECITING IN ITALIAN)
(WHIMPERING IN ITALIAN)
(NARRATOR CONTINUES)
KAY: Honor, huh?
KAY: I remember the time you came to my parents’ house and told me about the family business. How you’d never have anything to do with it. You sounded like Tony.
MICHAEL: I was a lot like Tony.
MICHAEL: I can barely see him… Kay?
KAY: What?
MICHAEL: Do you mind driving?
KAY: What’s wrong?
MICHAEL: My eyes. Sometimes they’re all right, but… I have to see Don Tommasino…
(SPEAKING ITALIAN)
KAY: (YELPS)
(LAUGHING IN SHOCK)
KAY: Well… There are no bodyguards today.
MICHAEL: I really snuck away.
(IN ITALIAN)
(BECKONING IN ITALIAN)
(IN ITALIAN)
(CURSES IN ITALIAN)
(EXCLAIMS)
MICHAEL: (IN ITALIAN) Calò, come stai?
CALÒ: (IN ITALIAN) Ciao, bacio le mani.
MICHAEL: (IN ENGLISH) How are you?
CALÒ: (IN ITALIAN) Bene.
MICHAEL: This is Calò, one of my bodyguards in the old days.
CALÒ: (IN ITALIAN) Don Tommasino non è ancora arrivato. Ma vi aspettava. Sarete stanchi.
KAY: We can wait here.
CALÒ: (IN ENGLISH) You want a drink?
KAY: Yes. Shall we go in?
CALÒ: (IN ITALIAN) Maria, prepara da mangiare e da bere.
MICHAEL: I spent a lot of time in this room… thinking of you.
KAY: And then you got married.
MICHAEL: I still thought of you.
KAY: What’s in that room? This is dangerous for you. This is Sicily.
MICHAEL: I love this country.
KAY: Why?
MICHAEL: Well, all through history, terrible things have happened to these people. Terrible injustices. But they still expect good, rather than bad, will happen to them.
KAY: Sort of like me and you?
MICHAEL: How so?
KAY: I’m still here, right? We do have a bad history, but I’m still here.
MICHAEL: Yes, you are, but with dread. … Give me the order! Com’on!
KAY: Is that supposed to make me not dread you?
MICHAEL: We’re in Sicily. It’s opera. Okay. What do we do now?
KAY: Be reasonable. Let’s try not to hurt each other.
MICHAEL: (SIGHS) … I want you to forgive me.
KAY: For what?
MICHAEL: Everything.
KAY: Oh, like God?
MICHAEL: No, I need something a little closer. You couldn’t understand, back in those days. I loved my father. I swore I would never be a man like him, but I loved him and he was in danger. What could I do? And then later, you were in danger. Our children were in danger. What could I do? You were all that I… loved and valued most in the world. Now I’m losing you. I lost you. You’re gone. And it was all for nothing. So… You have to understand, I had a whole different destiny planned. All right, I’ll stop.
KAY: I really don’t know what you want from me, Michael. I mean…
MICHAEL: I’m not the man that you think I am.
KAY: (RESTRAINING SOBS) I don’t know.
MICHAEL: I love you, Kay. Don’t dread me anymore. You know, every night here in Sicily… I dream about my wife and my children… and how I lost them.
KAY: I guess that if it’s any consolation, I want you to know that… that… I always loved you, Michael. And you know… always, I always will.
(KNOCK ON DOOR)
MICHAEL: (IN ITALIAN) Che c’è?
CALÒ: (IN ITALIAN) Don Tommasino… sparato trovarono…
MICHAEL: (IN ITALIAN) È mortu?
CALÒ: (IN ITALIAN) Il mio padrone morto è. Sangue chiama sangue. M’haju a vindicari! In qualsiasi maniera!
MICHAEL: (IN ITALIAN) Some day, you may have to do a difficult service for me.
CALÒ: (IN ITALIAN) Comandatemi! Dicitimi chi haiu a fari?
KAY: It never ends.
CALÒ: (IN ITALIAN) Io lo vendicherò.
(BELLS TOLLING)
(CARDINAL READING NAMES) Siri. Lamberto. Lorscheider. Totale.
CARDINAL: (IN ITALIAN) Lorscheider, voti 1. Siri, voti 11. Lamberto, voti 99.
CARDINAL LAMBERTO: (IN ITALIAN) Oh, mio… No… no…
CARDINAL: (IN LATIN) Acceptasne electionem de te canonice factam in Summum Pontificem?
CARDINAL LAMBERTO: (IN ITALIAN) Mio Dio, illumina tu la decisione che hanno preso per me. (IN LATIN) Accipio.
CARDINAL: (IN LATIN) Quo nomine vis vocari?
CARDINAL LAMBERTO: (IN LATIN) Johannes Paulus Primus.
(BELL TOLLING)
(JOHN PAUL I SPEAKING ITALIAN OVER P.A.) Spero nel mio pontificato di usare spesso la parola “a fra poco”, cioè imminente alla soluzione…
REPORTER: Frederick Keinszig, known for a decade as “God’s Banker,” has been reported missing. He was last seen three days ago leaving the Rome offices of Vatican owned Immobiliare. Also missing was a large sum of money and several documents.
Keinszig, you fool.
(TELEPHONE RINGING)
REPORTER: His absence casts further suspicion on the dealings of the Vatican Bank. For several years, the bank and its companies have been the object of allegations of disreputable business practices.
Lucchesi, will you please try to understand? I have phoned him. I have waited here by the phone. You would do well to remember, Mr. Lucchesi, that this Pope has very different ideas from the last one.
(BLESSING IN LATIN)
(INAUDIBLE)
MICHAEL: (WHISPERING) Goodbye, my old friend. I swear, on the lives of my children… Give me a chance to redeem myself… and I will sin no more.
(DOOR OPENING)
VINCENT: It’s not just a bad banking deal. These guys are butchers.
MICHAEL: What guys?
VINCENT: Lucchesi. He controls all of them: Altobello, the Archbishop… others higher up, P2 maybe. Secret unknown. They’re running things.
MICHAEL: I’m in their way.
VINCENT: He’s hired an assassin to kill you. A Sicilian. I don’t know his name.
MICHAEL: (GRUNTS)
VINCENT: But they say he never fails.
MICHAEL: Then no one is safe. Even the new Pope is in danger.
VINCENT: We still have time. We can prevent this.
MICHAEL: I tried, Vincent. I tried… to keep everything from coming to this. But it’s not possible. Not in this world.
VINCENT: Give me the order.
MICHAEL: You won’t be able to go back. You’ll be like me.
VINCENT: Good.
MICHAEL: All my life I wanted out. I wanted the family out.
VINCENT: I don’t want out. I want the power to preserve the family. I’m asking for the order.
MICHAEL: I can’t do it anymore.
CONNIE: Well, it doesn’t matter. Vincent knows what to do. Come on outside. Take a rest and don’t think about it.
All I do is think about it.
VINCENT: I’m your son. Command me in all things.
MICHAEL: Give up my daughter. That’s the price you pay… for the life you choose.
MICHAEL: Nephew… from this moment on… call yourself Vincent Corleone.
MICHAEL: Sit.
CALÒ: Don Vincenzo…
NERI: Don Corleone…
Don Vincenzo Corleone…
(INDISTINCT CHATTERING)
(CHATTERING IN ITALIAN)
ALTOBELLO: E tu, Vincenzo… I know how you feel about Michael, but you can’t save him. He’s lost. (WHISPERING) Think of yourself. What’s your answer, Vincent?
VINCENT: Enjoy the opera. It’s all taken care of.
Check the bar. I’ll check the top floor.
KAY: “Here’s hoping Tony sings better at the Teatro Massimo than in the shower. Love, Douglas.”
ALTOBELLO: My darling Constanza!
CONNIE: Don Altobello.
ALTOBELLO: This is a great occasion.
CONNIE: Come, sit down.
ALTOBELLO: Grazie.
CONNIE: Happy birthday. You’re 80, but don’t look more than 60.
ALTOBELLO: You’re the only one who remembered.
B.J.: We’ve just got the word. The Pope has ratified the Immobiliare deal. We’ve won. Congratulations.
MICHAEL: Strange how things work.
B.J.: The Pope is doing what you said he’d do. He’s cleaning house.
MICHAEL: He should be careful. It’s dangerous to be an honest man.
(CHATTERING IN ITALIAN) La signorina Corleone visiterà gli orfanelli di tutte le…
(IN ITALIAN) Brava!
(IN ITALIAN) Complimenti!
(WHISPERING) I want to put more muscle backstage with Tony.
MARY: (IN ITALIAN) Scusate.
(IN ITALIAN) Prego.
CONNIE: On your birthday you used to shower me with treats.
ALTOBELLO: Tootsie Rolls!
CONNIE: The nuns who made this cannoli took a vow of silence. They’re the very finest.
MARY: Hey.
VINCENT: Hey, cous.
MARY: Hi.
VINCENT: Hi.
MARY: Where’s your leather?
VINCENT: (WHISPERING) Stop it.
ALTOBELLO: You’re so thin. You eat it. … È buono. Grazie! Grazie!
VINCENT: It’s over. There are things I have to do that you can’t be part of. It’s not your father’s decision, it’s mine. Don’t hate your father. There are things I’ll be part of that you can’t be around. After tonight, you won’t see me anymore. You’ve got to understand, Mary. You’ve got to understand.
MARY: I’ll always love you.
VINCENT: Love somebody else.
(MARY SOBBING)
(ALL TOASTING ANTHONY)
(AUDIENCE APPLAUDING)
(CHATTERING IN ITALIAN)
(MUSIC PLAYING)
(ANTHONY SINGING ITALIAN OPERA)
(INAUDIBLE)
(CHATTERING IN ITALIAN)
(WHISTLE BLOWING)
(DRAMATIC MUSIC PLAYING)
(SINGING)
VINCENT: They won’t try anything.
BODYGUARD: Everything’s fine. It’s all clear.
VINCENT: I’ve already sent Al Neri to the Vatican.
CALÒ: (IN ITALIAN) È la casa del signor Lucchesi?
(IN ITALIAN) Si.
CALÒ: (IN ITALIAN) Porto un messaggio da Michael di Corleone.
(IN ITALIAN) Lascialo entrare.
(DOOR BUZZING)
(SPEAKING ITALIAN)
(GRUNTS)
(AUDIENCE APPLAUDING FIERCELY)
(PEOPLE CHEERING)
(AUDIENCE APPLAUDING)
(KNOCK ON DOOR)
CALÒ: (IN ITALIAN) Buona sera.
(IN ITALIAN) Buona sera.
(OMINOUS MUSIC PLAYING)
(INAUDIBLE)
(CHATTERING IN ITALIAN)
(FLOORBOARDS CREAKING)
(GRUNTS)
Good. You got him.
(GASPS)
(WHISPERING FIERCELY IN ITALIAN)
(AUDIENCE APPLAUDING)
VINCENT: Tonight the Corleone family settles its accounts. Keinszig… That little Swiss banker fuck. He’s been swindling everyone from the beginning. Fuck him. Don Lucchesi, my friend. Calò will pay him a visit at his home. Neri, take a train to Rome. Light a candle for the Archbishop.
(KNOCKING ON DOOR)
(IN ITALIAN)
(SCREAMS)
(MAN, IN ITALIAN)
(GASPING)
(CHORUS BUILDING)
(INAUDIBLE)
(CHORUS REACHING CRESCENDO)
(CHORUS PAUSES)
(GRUNTING IN ITALIAN)
B.J.: It’s serious. Our man inside the Vatican says there’s a plot against the Pope.
MICHAEL: He’ll have a heart attack? This Pope has powerful enemies. We may not be in time to save him. Let’s go back.
(SOLEMN MUSIC PLAYING)
(INAUDIBLE)
(IN ITALIAN)
NUN: (IN ITALIAN) Eminenza! Eminenza!
(CUP SHATTERING)
(NUN SCREAMING)
NUN: (IN ITALIAN) Il Santo Padre è morto!
(TREMULOUS GASP)
CONNIE: Sleep. Sleep, Godfather.
CALÒ: (IN ITALIAN) Posso entrare?
(BELL TOLLING)
(CRESCENDO BUILDING)
(LUCCHESI, IN ITALIAN) Parla. Dimmi.
(IN ITALIAN)
(BELL TOLLING)
(BODYGUARD, IN ITALIAN) È pulito.
Psst.
(GUN FIRING)
(SCOFFS)
(EXCLAIMS IN ITALIAN)
(GUNSHOTS)
(SOPRANO SINGING)
(CROWD ROARS)
(ALL CONGRATULATING)
MARY: Can I talk to you now?
VINCENT: No, it’s not a good time.
MARY: You’re just like my father.
VINCENT: Stay with the family. Go on.
VINCENT: Talk to me.
The twins are dead. In about one minute, there will be carabinieri all over this place.
VINCENT: Get everybody to the cars, quietly.
Got it.
VINCENT: Quiet.
(PEOPLE CHATTERING IN ITALIAN)
MICHAEL: The name Corleone will be associated with a voice.
(SPEAKING ITALIAN) Mascagni è sempre Mascagni.
MARY: Dad…
(BRAYING)
MARY: You don’t have to do this to me.
MICHAEL: Do what? What do you mean?
(WOMAN SCREAMING)
(ALL CLAMORING)
MARY: Dad…
(SCREAMING)
VINCENT: No! Mary!
MICHAEL: God, no!
(KAY WAILING)
(KAY SCREAMING)
(WOMAN SCREAMING IN ITALIAN)
(SILENT)
(SCREAMING)
(PROMISE ME YOU’LL REMEMBER PLAYING)
