The Godfather Part II
The continuing saga of the Corleone crime family tells the story of a young Vito Corleone growing up in Sicily and in 1910s New York; and follows Michael Corleone in the 1950s as he attempts to expand the family business into Las Vegas, Hollywood and Cuba.
Despite its tight budget of $13.0M, The Godfather Part II became a box office phenomenon, earning $102.6M worldwide—a remarkable 689% return. The film's distinctive approach connected with viewers, confirming that strong storytelling can transcend budget limitations.
6 Oscars. 17 wins & 21 nominations
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 Part II (1974) demonstrates precise dramatic framework, characteristic of Francis Ford Coppola's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 14-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 3 hours and 22 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 4.5, the film takes an unconventional approach to traditional narrative frameworks.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 2 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Michael Corleone sits in his Lake Tahoe compound during his son's First Communion celebration. He is now the Don, isolated and powerful, receiving supplicants in the manner his father once did. Parallel: Young Vito Andolini watches his family murdered in Sicily, establishing the origin of the Corleone legacy.. Notably, this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 22 minutes when Michael's bedroom is machine-gunned in an assassination attempt while he and Kay sleep. Someone within his inner circle has betrayed him. The attack shatters any illusion of security and forces Michael into a defensive, paranoid posture that will consume him.. At 11% through the film, this Disruption aligns precisely with traditional story structure. This beat shifts the emotional landscape, launching the protagonist into the central conflict.
The First Threshold at 46 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 23% of the runtime. This illustrates the protagonist's commitment to Michael makes the irreversible choice to travel to Havana to complete the business deal with Hyman Roth, despite his suspicions. He commits fully to expanding the empire internationally, leaving behind any possibility of the legitimate life Kay wants. This choice launches him deeper into the criminal world rather than out of it., moving from reaction to action.
At 91 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 45% of the runtime—arriving early, accelerating into Act IIb complications. Structural examination shows that this crucial beat Michael confronts Fredo in Havana, confirming his brother's betrayal: "I know it was you, Fredo. You broke my heart." This is a false defeat - Michael has the knowledge he sought, but the cost is devastating. The stakes raise dramatically as family becomes enemy, and the revolution forces everyone to flee Cuba., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 136 minutes (67% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Kay reveals she didn't miscarry - she had an abortion, killing Michael's son because she refused to bring another Corleone into the world. "This Sicilian thing that's been going on for 2,000 years..." Michael strikes her, and she leaves with the children. The "whiff of death" is the death of his son and the death of his marriage and any remaining humanity., shows the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 145 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 72% of the runtime. At Mama Corleone's funeral, Connie begs Michael to forgive Fredo, kissing his hand in submission. Michael's cold acceptance and embrace of Fredo signals his terrible synthesis: he will use family loyalty (Connie's return) to enable family murder (Fredo's death). He now sees clearly what he must do to maintain power, combining his father's methods with ruthless completion., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
The Godfather Part II's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 14 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs proven narrative structure principles that track dramatic progression. By mapping The Godfather Part II 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 Part II 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 Part II 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, Batman Forever and 12 Rounds. For more Francis Ford Coppola analyses, see The Godfather, Apocalypse Now and Bram Stoker's Dracula.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Michael Corleone sits in his Lake Tahoe compound during his son's First Communion celebration. He is now the Don, isolated and powerful, receiving supplicants in the manner his father once did. Parallel: Young Vito Andolini watches his family murdered in Sicily, establishing the origin of the Corleone legacy.
Theme
Senator Geary tells Michael: "We're both part of the same hypocrisy" - establishing the film's central theme about corruption, power, and the impossibility of legitimacy. The American Dream is revealed as fundamentally compromised.
Worldbuilding
Michael's empire in 1958 Nevada is established: his strained marriage to Kay, relationships with Fredo and Connie, business dealings with Hyman Roth, and Senator Geary's hostility. Parallel: Young Vito arrives at Ellis Island, quarantined for smallpox, establishing his immigrant struggle. The dual timelines show the family's rise and its cost.
Disruption
Michael's bedroom is machine-gunned in an assassination attempt while he and Kay sleep. Someone within his inner circle has betrayed him. The attack shatters any illusion of security and forces Michael into a defensive, paranoid posture that will consume him.
Resistance
Michael investigates the assassination attempt while maintaining appearances. He meets with Hyman Roth in Miami, debates whether to trust him, and begins maneuvering. Meanwhile, young Vito in 1917 New York observes Don Fanucci's neighborhood tyranny, learning the rules of power. Michael debates his next move while Vito learns to navigate his new world.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Michael makes the irreversible choice to travel to Havana to complete the business deal with Hyman Roth, despite his suspicions. He commits fully to expanding the empire internationally, leaving behind any possibility of the legitimate life Kay wants. This choice launches him deeper into the criminal world rather than out of it.
Premise
The "promise of the premise" - Michael operating as the Don on an international stage. He navigates Havana's corruption, identifies Fredo as the traitor through careful observation, and watches his Cuban investment collapse with the revolution. Parallel: Vito's rise in 1920s New York, killing Fanucci and becoming a respected Don, showing the "right" way to build power through community rather than isolation.
Midpoint
Michael confronts Fredo in Havana, confirming his brother's betrayal: "I know it was you, Fredo. You broke my heart." This is a false defeat - Michael has the knowledge he sought, but the cost is devastating. The stakes raise dramatically as family becomes enemy, and the revolution forces everyone to flee Cuba.
Opposition
Pressure intensifies on all fronts. Michael testifies before the Senate investigation, Kay becomes increasingly distant, Fredo is kept isolated, and Michael plans revenge against Hyman Roth. The parallel Vito timeline shows his return to Sicily to kill Don Ciccio, completing his family's vengeance with honor - contrasting sharply with Michael's cold machinations.
Collapse
Kay reveals she didn't miscarry - she had an abortion, killing Michael's son because she refused to bring another Corleone into the world. "This Sicilian thing that's been going on for 2,000 years..." Michael strikes her, and she leaves with the children. The "whiff of death" is the death of his son and the death of his marriage and any remaining humanity.
Crisis
Michael sits alone in darkness after Kay's departure. His mother dies, forcing a family gathering where Michael must face Fredo and Connie. He processes the total loss of his family - Kay gone, Fredo betrayed him, his mother dead, his son killed before birth. The emotional nadir before the final terrible choices.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
At Mama Corleone's funeral, Connie begs Michael to forgive Fredo, kissing his hand in submission. Michael's cold acceptance and embrace of Fredo signals his terrible synthesis: he will use family loyalty (Connie's return) to enable family murder (Fredo's death). He now sees clearly what he must do to maintain power, combining his father's methods with ruthless completion.
Synthesis
Michael executes his final moves: Hyman Roth is killed at the airport, Michael's enemies are eliminated in a coordinated strike, and Fredo is murdered while fishing on the lake. The parallel timeline concludes with young Vito returning triumphantly to his family in New York, having built something. Michael has destroyed everything his father built.
Transformation
Michael sits alone outside his Lake Tahoe compound, utterly isolated. His face is blank, emotionless. In flashback, we see the family together in 1941 - everyone celebrating, full of life and warmth. The contrast is devastating. Michael has won everything and lost everything. The closing image mirrors the opening: Michael as Don, receiving supplicants - but now completely, irrevocably alone. A corruption arc completed.