The Godfather
The Godfather "Don" Vito Corleone is the head of the Corleone mafia family in New York. He is at the event of his daughter's wedding. Michael, Vito's youngest son and a decorated WW II Marine is also present at the wedding. Michael seems to be uninterested in being a part of the family business. Vito is a powerful man, and is kind to all those who give him respect but is ruthless against those who do not. But when a powerful and treacherous rival wants to sell drugs and needs the Don's influence for the same, Vito refuses to do it. What follows is a clash between Vito's fading old values and the new ways which may cause Michael to do the thing he was most reluctant in doing and wage a mob war against all the other mafia families which could tear the Corleone family apart.
Despite its tight budget of $6.0M, The Godfather became a box office phenomenon, earning $245.1M worldwide—a remarkable 3984% return. The film's compelling narrative attracted moviegoers, proving that strong storytelling can transcend budget limitations.
3 Oscars. 31 wins & 31 nominations
Roger Ebert
"One of the greatest movies ever made, a film that changed cinema forever through its operatic scope and intimate character study."Read Full Review
Plot Structure
Story beats plotted across runtime
Narrative Arc
Emotional journey through the story's key moments
Story Circle
Blueprint 15-beat structure
Arcplot Score Breakdown
Weighted: Precision (70%) + Arc (15%) + Theme (15%)
The Godfather (1972) showcases deliberately positioned story structure, characteristic of Francis Ford Coppola's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 15-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 2 hours and 55 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 4.4, the film takes an unconventional approach to traditional narrative frameworks.
Characters
Cast & narrative archetypes
Michael Corleone
Vito Corleone
Tom Hagen
Sonny Corleone
Kay Adams
Fredo Corleone
Connie Corleone
Carlo Rizzi
Main Cast & Characters
Michael Corleone
Played by Al Pacino
The youngest son of Vito Corleone who transforms from war hero to ruthless mafia don.
Vito Corleone
Played by Marlon Brando
The aging patriarch of the Corleone crime family, a powerful and respected godfather.
Tom Hagen
Played by Robert Duvall
The adopted son and consigliere (counselor) of the Corleone family, a calm and rational lawyer.
Sonny Corleone
Played by James Caan
The hot-tempered eldest son of Vito, heir apparent to the family business.
Kay Adams
Played by Diane Keaton
Michael's girlfriend and later wife, an outsider to the Corleone family's criminal world.
Fredo Corleone
Played by John Cazale
The weak and insecure middle son of Vito, often overlooked by the family.
Connie Corleone
Played by Talia Shire
The only daughter of Vito, whose wedding opens the film and whose troubled marriage affects the family.
Carlo Rizzi
Played by Gianni Russo
Connie's abusive husband who betrays the Corleone family.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Bonasera pleads to Don Vito Corleone in his dark office during Connie's wedding. The opening establishes the Godfather's power and Michael's outsider status - he's in military uniform, separate from the family business, introducing Kay to this world he claims not to be part of.. Structural examination shows that this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 32 minutes when Don Vito is shot multiple times outside his office building while buying fruit. The assassination attempt by Sollozzo's men leaves the Don critically wounded and the family in chaos. The old order is shattered, and someone must step up.. At 18% through the film, this Disruption is delayed, allowing extended setup of the story world. This beat shifts the emotional landscape, launching the protagonist into the central conflict.
The First Threshold at 63 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 36% of the runtime. This reveals the protagonist's commitment to Michael volunteers to kill Sollozzo and Captain McCluskey: "It's not personal, Sonny. It's strictly business." This is Michael's active choice to enter the family business and the world of violence. He crosses a line he can never uncross, rejecting his former identity as the "civilian" son., moving from reaction to action.
At 83 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 47% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Significantly, this crucial beat Apollonia is killed by a car bomb meant for Michael. This false defeat shatters Michael's hope of escaping into innocent love. The Sicily idyll ends in violence, proving he cannot outrun his fate. The stakes are now deeply personal - Michael has lost everything that connected him to a normal life., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 126 minutes (72% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Don Vito dies in the tomato garden playing with his grandson. The whiff of death is literal - Michael's father, mentor, and the old way of doing things dies. Michael is now alone at the top, with no guide. He must face his enemies without his father's wisdom., indicates the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 131 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 75% of the runtime. Michael tells Tom Hagen his plan: "Today I settle all family business." The synthesis moment - Michael will use the old Sicilian ways (violence, timing, deception) combined with his strategic intelligence. He orchestrates the baptism of Connie's baby as cover for the simultaneous assassinations., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
The Godfather's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 15 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs systematic plot point analysis that identifies crucial turning points. By mapping The Godfather against these established plot points, we can identify how Francis Ford Coppola utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish The Godfather within the crime genre.
Francis Ford Coppola's Structural Approach
Among the 16 Francis Ford Coppola films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 6.5, demonstrating varied approaches to story architecture. The Godfather takes a more unconventional approach compared to the director's typical style. For comparative analysis, explore the complete Francis Ford Coppola filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional crime films include The Bad Guys, Rustom and The Whole Ten Yards. For more Francis Ford Coppola analyses, see Apocalypse Now, The Conversation and The Godfather Part II.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Bonasera pleads to Don Vito Corleone in his dark office during Connie's wedding. The opening establishes the Godfather's power and Michael's outsider status - he's in military uniform, separate from the family business, introducing Kay to this world he claims not to be part of.
Theme
Don Vito tells Johnny Fontane: "You can act like a man!" and delivers the film's thesis when he later explains to Bonasera, "Someday, and that day may never come, I will call upon you to do a service for me." The theme: family loyalty requires sacrifice, and with power comes obligation.
Worldbuilding
Connie's wedding reception establishes the Corleone family hierarchy, business operations, and relationships. We meet all key players: Vito, Sonny, Fredo, Tom Hagen, and see Michael deliberately positioned outside the family business while Kay observes. Intercut with Don Vito conducting business, granting favors, refusing the drug trade to Sollozzo.
Disruption
Don Vito is shot multiple times outside his office building while buying fruit. The assassination attempt by Sollozzo's men leaves the Don critically wounded and the family in chaos. The old order is shattered, and someone must step up.
Resistance
The family responds to the attack. Sonny takes charge emotionally; Tom tries diplomacy. Michael visits his father in the hospital, discovers the guards have been removed, and saves Vito from a second assassination attempt. Michael's hand trembles but his mind is clear - the first sign of his transformation. He breaks Sollozzo's cop's jaw. The family debates their response.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Michael volunteers to kill Sollozzo and Captain McCluskey: "It's not personal, Sonny. It's strictly business." This is Michael's active choice to enter the family business and the world of violence. He crosses a line he can never uncross, rejecting his former identity as the "civilian" son.
Mirror World
Michael arrives in Sicily and meets Apollonia. This love story represents the traditional Sicilian life Michael might have had - innocent, pure, connected to the old ways. She embodies the thematic question: can Michael embrace his heritage without becoming corrupted by it?
Premise
Michael executes Sollozzo and McCluskey in the restaurant, then flees to Sicily. The "premise" is Michael as gangster - we see him learn the old ways, fall in love with Apollonia, and live as a Sicilian don-in-training. Meanwhile, the mob war escalates in New York. This section delivers what the title promises: watching a godfather being made.
Midpoint
Apollonia is killed by a car bomb meant for Michael. This false defeat shatters Michael's hope of escaping into innocent love. The Sicily idyll ends in violence, proving he cannot outrun his fate. The stakes are now deeply personal - Michael has lost everything that connected him to a normal life.
Opposition
Michael returns to America hardened and empty. Don Vito recovers and makes peace with the Five Families. Sonny has been killed at the causeway. Michael reunites with Kay and lies about his business. Don Vito retires, making Michael the new Don. The family moves to Nevada. Pressure builds as Michael consolidates power while maintaining the lie to Kay. His isolation increases.
Collapse
Don Vito dies in the tomato garden playing with his grandson. The whiff of death is literal - Michael's father, mentor, and the old way of doing things dies. Michael is now alone at the top, with no guide. He must face his enemies without his father's wisdom.
Crisis
Don Vito's funeral. Michael grieves and realizes Tessio's betrayal when Tessio arranges the "meeting" with Barzini. Michael processes that he must kill his father's old friend. The darkness before the final act - Michael sees clearly now that everyone is a potential enemy.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
Michael tells Tom Hagen his plan: "Today I settle all family business." The synthesis moment - Michael will use the old Sicilian ways (violence, timing, deception) combined with his strategic intelligence. He orchestrates the baptism of Connie's baby as cover for the simultaneous assassinations.
Synthesis
The baptism sequence intercut with the execution of all Five Families heads, Moe Greene, and the traitors. Michael renounces Satan while becoming him. He confronts Carlo about Sonny's death, has him killed. Kay asks if Michael ordered Carlo's death. Michael lies: "No." The door closes on Kay as Michael receives his capos as the new Godfather.
Transformation
The door closes on Kay as she watches Michael being kissed on the hand and called "Don Corleone." The final image mirrors the opening - a dark office, a man of power receiving supplicants - but now it's Michael, fully transformed from war hero to Godfather. He has become his father, but colder. He has gained power and lost his soul.