Title: The Godfather
Writer: Francis Ford Coppola
Director: Francis Ford Coppola
Year: 1972
Actors: Marlon Brando, Al Pacino, James Caan and Richard S. Castellano
Dialogue:
The dialogue used in The Godfather was that of typical conversations being had amongst business colleagues and that of families having normal conversations. There were times raised voices were used to signify anger. Such as during the scene where Connie and Carlos are fighting as he is leaving to go see his “whore” as Connie puts it. Voices escalate to signify they are fighting as Connie is throwing things to the ground breaking them. They then show Carlos removing his belt and proceeding to beat her with it. They end up in the bathroom out of sight where you hear Connie screaming as she endures a beating from her husband.
Other scenes used very quiet and hushed voices to signify that a discussion was being had that they may not want others to hear. During the scene of Michael at the restaurant with the police captain and a leader of one of the other mob families the conversation is very quiet as they discuss the hit that was carried out against Vito Corleone landing him in the hospital. This is right before Michael comes out of the bathroom after having asked permission to go in order to retrieve a gun that was planted there for him to carry out the murder of these two individuals. They even speak in Italian to hide from others in the vicinity what is being said.
Sound Effects:
The sound effects are very important to The Godfather from the beginning of the movie to the end of the movie. You can hear the sound of gun shots ring out during the massacre of Sonny Corleone, during the baptism murders and the killing of Sollozzo and McCluskey in the restaurant. Other sounds that are heard through many of these scenes is breaking glass as people are being shot and falling into things and cars being driven quickly to get away from the scene of the crime as their tires are screeching on the pavement. It is also very noticeable that there are other times when you hear nothing but almost complete silence with the exception of some small sounds such as Sollozzo and McCluskey enjoying what is about to be their last meal in the restaurant. You hear the clinking of silverware on the plates and items being placed on the table. All of these sounds or lack of sound is used to build suspense for what is about to come in the scene. During the baptism murder scene while the family is in the church you hear them speaking and it almost sounds like and echoing or hollow sound as the pipe organs are playing and the sounds of gun shots ring out. This signifies that Michael is very aware of what is being carried out at his request while he is in the church taking an oath to be Godfather to his nephew.
Music:
The Godfather begins with the scene of daughter Connie’s wedding reception. The music is very jovial and upbeat while several of the characters of the movie sing along with an Italian song as they are dancing to it. This scene is set to portray a happy time during the families life. However throughout the movie the music that has been chosen is very dark and haunting and even changing with some of the scene’s signifying a change in setting. There is a tune that plays when they show scenes that are taking place in the United States and a different tune that plays when showing Michael in Sicily. The music gave the movie a feeling of mystery and that of a different era than today. During the shopping scene at Christmas time they were even playing Christmas music to signify that time of year to create a festive mood, although the mood quickly changed as Tom was forced into a car against his will and taken by one of the other families.
All of these scenes would have a different effect or feel if the sounds and music used were different. It would not create a very dark and mysterious image if lively dance music was playing in the background while murders were being carried out. It would not provide the right feeling if during Connie’s beating they were laughing and having fun. When you hear that familiar haunting tune being played you know there is something bad about to occur and when the music changes you know you have been transported to a different location and time.
References:
Goodykoontz, B., & Jacobs, C. P. (2014). Film: From Watching to Seeing. San Diego, CA: Bridgeport Education, INC.
The Godfather (3/9) Movie CLIP – Killing Sollozzo and McCluskey (1972) HD https://youtu.be/ppjyB2MpxBU via @YouTube
Sonny is Killed – The Godfather (4/9) Movie CLIP (1972) HD https://youtu.be/sJU2cz9ytPQ via @YouTube
The Baptism Murders – The Godfather (8/9) Movie CLIP (1972) HD https://youtu.be/1CDlBLvc3YE via @YouTube
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