Summary
The chronology ofThe Godfathermovies becomes more complicated as the series goes on, but the timeline can be clarified relatively easily with a look back on the series.Every movie inThe Godfathertrilogyfocuses on a pivotal era in the Corleone crime family’s saga. Although 1990’sThe Godfather Part IIIis almost universally agreed to be a disappointing ending to the trilogy, the movie still ties together plot points that were established earlier. Similarly, whileThe Godfather Part IIarrived after the original movie, the sequel tells viewers Godfather’s protagonist, Vito Corleone.
ByThe Godfather Part II’s ending, viewers have learned about both Vito Corelone’s rise to the top and the story of his successor, Michael. The sequel is split between two timelines, which makes for a more complex viewing experience than 1972’s comparatively straightforward crime epicThe Godfather. This approach means thatThe Godfather Part II’s Robert De Niroplayed a young Vito Corleone in flashbacks, while Marlon Brando played the character’s older self inThe Godfather. This stylistic choice paid off, with both actors providing pivotal insights into how Vito shaped his son Michael and ultimately doomed his soul.
How Old Al Pacino Was During Every Godfather Movie
Al Pacino’s performance in The Godfather made him a star, but what age was the actor when he filmed the legendary gangster movie and its sequels?
The Godfather Is Set Between 1945 & 1955
Francis Ford Coppola’s Epic Trilogy Begins In Media Res
The Godfather’s action famously begins on the day of Vito Corleone’s daughter’s wedding. In the context of the entire trilogy’s plot,The Godfatherbegins halfway through the crime family’s epic story. Vito is already an older man, and he has begun to contemplate the tricky question of who his successor will be.The Godfather’s story begins in 1945 and continues until 1955, at which point Vito passes away and names Michael his successor. Vito’s death marks a pivotal point in the story of the trilogy, but the timeline of the movie’s first sequel isn’t as simple as that of its predecessor.
The Godfather Part II’s Michael/ Fredo story is the movie’s main plot, while Vito’s earlier ascent is glimpsed alongside this storyline
Michael’s tenure as the head of the Corleone crime family forms the bulwark ofThe Godfather Part II’s plot, but Vito’s rise to power is explained via flashbacks throughout the movie.The Godfather Part II’s Michael/ Fredo storyis the movie’s main plot, while Vito’s earlier ascent is glimpsed alongside this storyline. Thematically, this interweaving structure is vital to the trilogy’s success. Contrasting Vito’s ruthless opportunism and Michael’s cold, calculated decision-making proves that Vito chose a fitting successor since his son shares his killer instinct. However, it is this same cool head that ultimately leads to Michael’s eventual downfall.
The Godfather Part II’s Two Timelines Explained
Vito’s Timeline Sees Robert De Niro’s Character Rise To Power
The Godfather Part II’s Vito scenes begin in 1900, with a young Vito witnessing the killing of his family at the hands of Don Ciccio. Vito escapes to America and lives in poverty with his wife until he and Clemenza get involved in some low-level street crime. Vito’s dispassionate, savage efficiency impresses a local crime boss, but the young criminal realizes he has more to gain from killing this mafia don than working for him. Thus, Vito ends up replacing New York’s mafia boss and, armed with his newfound power, returns to Italy to kill Don Ciccio in 1922.
Michael’s Concurrent Story Focuses On His Tragic Betrayal
Vito’s plot only runs until 1922 sinceThe Godfather’s Vito was played by Marlon Brandoin 1945. As such, depicting more of his life could have resulted in some timeline complications. Somewhere between 1922 and 1945, Robert De Niro’s unblinking, ambitious criminal ofThe Godfather Part IIbecame Marlon Brando’s sedate, aging gangster fromThe Godfather. Meanwhile,Michael’s plot inThe Godfather Part IItakes place from 1958 to 1959. Fredo allies himself with Hyman Roth and, possibly unknowingly, aids a failed assassination attempt on Michael. Michael has his older brother killed and solidifies his power over the mob.
The Godfather Part IIIpicks up two decades after its predecessor left off.
The Godfather Part III Begins In 1979
The Godfather Part IIIpicks up two decades after its predecessor left off. Michael is now an aging mafia boss and, despite his considerable power, he harbors deep-seated regrets over how he handled Fredo’s betrayal. Al Pacino’s troubled mob boss is in a more reflective place throughout this sequel, which is part of whyThe Godfather Part III’s mixed receptionwas no surprise. The vicious mafia Don Vito raised becomes more self-aware and wracked with regret in the trilogy’s final chapter.
AlthoughThe Godfather Part IIIwas released in 1990, its story takes an interesting turn near the end.The Godfather Part IIIstarts in 1979 and ends in 1997, seven years after the movie was released. This time jump allows the movie to depict the death of Michael Corleone who, like his father, makes it to a ripe old age but struggles with the weight of his sins in his final years. Thus,The Godfathertrilogy spans almost a century, even though its action isn’t entirely linear.
