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 limited budget of $13.0M, The Godfather Part II became a massive hit, earning $102.6M worldwide—a remarkable 689% return. The film's compelling narrative resonated with audiences, demonstrating 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) reveals deliberately positioned narrative design, 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 3 hours and 22 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 4.5, the film takes an unconventional approach to traditional narrative frameworks.
Characters
Cast & narrative archetypes
Michael Corleone
Vito Corleone (Young)
Kay Adams-Corleone
Tom Hagen
Fredo Corleone
Hyman Roth
Connie Corleone
Frank Pentangeli
Main Cast & Characters
Michael Corleone
Played by Al Pacino
The Godfather who consolidates power while losing his soul, shown across two timelines.
Vito Corleone (Young)
Played by Robert De Niro
Young immigrant who builds a criminal empire in Little Italy through cunning and loyalty.
Kay Adams-Corleone
Played by Diane Keaton
Michael's wife who becomes disillusioned with his lies and the family business.
Tom Hagen
Played by Robert Duvall
The Corleone family consigliere and adopted son, loyal advisor to Michael.
Fredo Corleone
Played by John Cazale
Michael's weak older brother who betrays the family out of resentment and ambition.
Hyman Roth
Played by Lee Strasberg
Elderly Jewish mobster who partners with then betrays Michael in Cuba deal.
Connie Corleone
Played by Talia Shire
Michael's sister who evolves from victim to enabler of family violence.
Frank Pentangeli
Played by Michael V. Gazzo
Loyal caporegime who nearly testifies against Michael after feeling abandoned.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 2 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Young Vito Corleone's funeral procession in Sicily, 1901. His father has been murdered by the local Don, establishing the cycle of violence and vendetta that will define the Corleone legacy. Intercut with Michael's son Anthony's first communion celebration in 1958 Lake Tahoe—two worlds, two eras, one family's fate.. The analysis reveals that this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 22 minutes when An assassination attempt on Michael in his own bedroom—bullets tear through the compound while Kay lies beside him. The attack shatters the illusion of safety and control, forcing Michael to hunt for the traitor within his inner circle while pursuing expansion into Cuba with Hyman Roth.. 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 45 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 22% of the runtime. This reveals the protagonist's commitment to Michael travels to Cuba to finalize the partnership with Hyman Roth, committing fully to the dangerous expansion despite knowing Roth likely ordered the hit. Simultaneously, young Vito makes his choice—he will not pay Fanucci's tribute, setting him on the path to becoming the Godfather. Both men cross into worlds of no return., moving from reaction to action.
At 91 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 45% of the runtime—arriving early, accelerating into Act IIb complications. Notably, this crucial beat Michael discovers Fredo's betrayal in Havana—his own brother helped Roth's people. "I know it was you, Fredo. You broke my heart." This false defeat transforms Michael's mission from business to personal vengeance. The Cuban revolution forces their escape; Roth's money is lost. Everything Michael built begins to crumble as the stakes become devastatingly personal., 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 have a miscarriage—she had an abortion. "This Sicilian thing that's been going on for two thousand years... I won't be part of it." She killed Michael's unborn son to stop his bloodline. Michael strikes her. His marriage, his humanity, his hope for legitimate legacy—all destroyed. The whiff of death is literal: his unborn child, and metaphorical: his soul., indicates 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. Michael makes his final, damning choice: Fredo must die. Not immediately—"not while our mother is alive"—but inevitably. He also orchestrates the Senate hearing's collapse by bringing in Pentangeli's brother from Sicily, a silent reminder of omertà. Michael chooses total power over any remaining humanity, entering Act Three as judge, jury, and executioner of his own blood., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
The Godfather Part II's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 15 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs a 15-point narrative structure framework that maps key story moments. 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, Rustom and The Whole Ten Yards. For more Francis Ford Coppola analyses, see Apocalypse Now, The Conversation and Tucker: The Man and His Dream.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Young Vito Corleone's funeral procession in Sicily, 1901. His father has been murdered by the local Don, establishing the cycle of violence and vendetta that will define the Corleone legacy. Intercut with Michael's son Anthony's first communion celebration in 1958 Lake Tahoe—two worlds, two eras, one family's fate.
Theme
At the communion party, Michael tells Senator Geary: "My offer is this: nothing." The theme of power's corrupting isolation is stated—Michael believes he can control everything through cold calculation, but this very belief will cost him his humanity and family.
Worldbuilding
The dual timeline structure is established: Michael consolidates power in Nevada while dealing with Senate investigations and rival Hyman Roth; young Vito arrives at Ellis Island, orphaned and alone. The Corleone family's legitimate facade masks ongoing criminal operations. Key relationships are introduced: Fredo's weakness, Tom Hagen's loyalty, Kay's growing disillusionment, and Connie's resentment.
Disruption
An assassination attempt on Michael in his own bedroom—bullets tear through the compound while Kay lies beside him. The attack shatters the illusion of safety and control, forcing Michael to hunt for the traitor within his inner circle while pursuing expansion into Cuba with Hyman Roth.
Resistance
Michael navigates a web of suspicion, unsure whether Roth or someone closer orchestrated the hit. In parallel, young Vito works in a grocery store, learning the ways of Little Italy under the shadow of Don Fanucci's extortion. Michael debates how to proceed—whether to trust Roth's partnership or strike preemptively. The Senate investigation looms as Frank Pentangeli prepares to testify.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Michael travels to Cuba to finalize the partnership with Hyman Roth, committing fully to the dangerous expansion despite knowing Roth likely ordered the hit. Simultaneously, young Vito makes his choice—he will not pay Fanucci's tribute, setting him on the path to becoming the Godfather. Both men cross into worlds of no return.
Mirror World
Young Vito's rise in Little Italy mirrors and contrasts Michael's descent. Vito builds community through loyalty and measured justice—helping neighbors, earning respect. This subplot embodies the theme: Vito gained power through connection while Michael loses his soul through isolation. The warmth of Vito's family life stands against Michael's cold, crumbling marriage.
Premise
The dual narrative unfolds its promise: Vito methodically plans Fanucci's murder during a street festival, becoming Don Corleone through a single bold act. Michael plays chess with Roth in Havana as the Cuban Revolution explodes around them. The parallel construction reveals how the father built an empire through personal courage while the son inherits one through cold manipulation. Fredo's betrayal is subtly seeded.
Midpoint
Michael discovers Fredo's betrayal in Havana—his own brother helped Roth's people. "I know it was you, Fredo. You broke my heart." This false defeat transforms Michael's mission from business to personal vengeance. The Cuban revolution forces their escape; Roth's money is lost. Everything Michael built begins to crumble as the stakes become devastatingly personal.
Opposition
Pressure mounts from all sides: the Senate hearings intensify with Pentangeli set to testify, Kay grows distant and hostile, Fredo is kept close but marked for death. Michael's paranoia and isolation deepen. Young Vito's storyline concludes triumphantly—he returns to Sicily to avenge his father, killing Don Ciccio. The contrast is devastating: Vito's violence restored his family honor; Michael's will destroy his family entirely.
Collapse
Kay reveals she didn't have a miscarriage—she had an abortion. "This Sicilian thing that's been going on for two thousand years... I won't be part of it." She killed Michael's unborn son to stop his bloodline. Michael strikes her. His marriage, his humanity, his hope for legitimate legacy—all destroyed. The whiff of death is literal: his unborn child, and metaphorical: his soul.
Crisis
Michael sits in darkness, utterly alone. Kay is banished, the children taken from her. Tom Hagen questions whether the old ways still apply. The Senate hearings reach their climax. Michael must process the complete destruction of his family even as external threats demand action. He has won every battle but lost everything worth fighting for.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
Michael makes his final, damning choice: Fredo must die. Not immediately—"not while our mother is alive"—but inevitably. He also orchestrates the Senate hearing's collapse by bringing in Pentangeli's brother from Sicily, a silent reminder of omertà. Michael chooses total power over any remaining humanity, entering Act Three as judge, jury, and executioner of his own blood.
Synthesis
Michael systematically eliminates all threats: Roth is assassinated at the airport, Pentangeli commits suicide in the Roman tradition, and after their mother's funeral, Fredo is taken fishing on Lake Tahoe. As Fredo recites a Hail Mary, a gunshot echoes across the water. Michael watches from his window. Connie returns to the family, finally accepting Michael's world. Every enemy is dead. Every rival eliminated.
Transformation
Michael sits alone outside the Lake Tahoe compound in autumn, leaves falling around him. A flashback reveals the family together in 1941, the day of Pearl Harbor, when Michael announced he'd enlisted—defying his father, full of idealism. Now he is Don Corleone, supreme and utterly alone. The transformation is complete: the war hero who wanted legitimacy has become a fratricide, divorced, childless in spirit. He has everything and nothing.