The Godfather

The Godfather: Part I, II, III (1972, 1974, 1990)

THE GODFATHER QUOTES

“I’m gonna make him an offer he can’t refuse.”
“I believe in America.” …
“Finance is a gun. …
“Revenge is a dish best served cold.” …
“I don’t like violence, Tom. …
“I trust these men with my life, Senator. …
“I don’t fear you, Michael. …

– ‘I understand. You found paradise in America, had a good trade, made a good living. The police protected you; and there were courts of law. And you didn’t need a friend of me. But uh, now you come to me and you say — “Don Corleone give me justice.” — But you don’t ask with respect. You don’t offer friendship. You don’t even think to call me Godfather. Instead, you come into my house on the day my daughter is to be married, and you uh ask me to do murder, for money.’

– ‘I have a sentimental weakness for my children and I spoil them, as you can see. They talk when they should listen.

– A man who doesn’t spend time with his family can never be a real man.

– ‘You can act like a man! What’s the matter with you? Is this how you turned out, a Hollywood finocchio that cries like a woman? Ah what can I do? What can I do?’

– I knew that Santino was gonna have to go through all this. And Fredo… Fredo was, well… But I never wanted any of this for you! I worked my whole life. I don’t apologize for taking care of my family. And I refused to be a fool, dancing on a string held by all those big shots. I don’t apologize, that’s my life, but I thought that… that when it was your time, you would be the one to hold the strings. Senator Corleone, Governor Corleone, something.

Don Vito Corleone:
– [speaking to Tattaglia] You are talking about vengeance. Will vengeance bring your son back to you? Or my boy to me? I forgo the vengeance of my son. But I have selfish reasons! My youngest son was forced to leave this country… because of this Sollozzo business! Now I have to make arrangements to bring him home safely. But, if some unfortunate accident might befall him. Or if he gets shot in the head by a police officer… Or if he gets struck by a bolt of lightning, I’m going to balme some of the people in this room! And that I do not forgive. But, that aside, I assure that I will not be the one to break the peace we have made here today.

– You can act like a man!

– ‘I have a sentimental weakness for my children and I spoil them, as you can see. They talk when they should listen.

-‘Now you come to me and say, ‘Don Corleone, give me justice!’ But you don’t ask with respect. You don’t offer friendship. You don’t even think to call me ‘Godfather’. Instead you come into my house on the day my daughter is to be married, and you ask me to do murder. For money.’

– ‘ I understand. You found paradise in America, you had a good trade, you made a good living. The police protected you and there were courts of law. You didn’t need a friend like me. But, now you come to me, and you say: ‘Don Corleone, give me justice.’ But you don’t ask with respect. You don’t offer friendship. You don’t even think to call me Godfather. Instead, you come into my house on the day my daughter is to be married, and you ask me to do murder for money.

Don Vito Corleone:
Do you spend time with your family?
Johnny Fontane:
Of course I do.
Don Vito Corleone:
Good. Because a man who doesn’t spend time his family, can never be a real man.

– [breaking down for a moment] Look how they massacred my boy.

– And if by chance an honest man like yourself should make enemies then they would become my enemies… and then they will fear you.

-I will give you this favor on the day of my daughters wedding.

– ‘I promise, that on the souls of my grandchildren, I will not be the one to break the peace we’ve made here today.

– Some day, and that day may never come, I will call upon you to do a service for me. But until that day, consider this justice a gift on my daughter’s wedding day.

– Women and children can afford to be careless, but not men.

1
2 “I believe in America.” …
3 “Finance is a gun. …
4 “Revenge is a dish best served cold.” …
5 “I don’t like violence, Tom. …
“I trust these men with my life, Senator. …
“I don’t fear you, Michael. …

Michael Corleone:
…another pezzonovante.
Don Vito Corleone:
I guess just wasn’t enough time, Michael. Just wasn’t enough time.

Michael Corleone:
– Well, when Johnny was first starting out, he was signed to a personal services contract with this big-band leader. And as his career got better and better, he wanted to get out of it. But the band leader wouldn’t let him. Now, Johnny is my father’s godson. So my father went to see this bandleader and offered him $10,000 to let Johnny go, but the bandleader said no. So the next day, my father went back, only this time with Luca Brasi. Within an hour, he had a signed release for a certified check of $1000.
Kay Adams:
– How did he do that?
Michael Corleone:
– My father made him an offer he couldn’t refuse.
Kay Adams:
– What was that?
Michael Corleone:
– Luca Brasi held a gun to his head, and my father assured him that either his brains or his signature would be on the contract……. Thats a true story.

– Well, when Johnny was first starting out, he was signed to a personal services contract with this big-band leader. And as his career got better and better, he wanted to get out of it. But the band leader wouldn’t let him. Now, Johnny is my father’s godson. So my father went to see this bandleader and offered him $10,000 to let Johnny go, but the bandleader said no. So the next day, my father went back, only this time with Luca Brasi. Within an hour, he had a signed release for a certified check of $1000.

– I’ll make him an offer he can’t refuse. You see, Johnny, we feel that entertainment is going to be a big factor in drawing gamblers into the casinos. We’re hoping that you’ll sign a contract agreeing to appear 5 times a year. Perhaps convince some of your friends in the movies to do the same. We’re counting on you, Johnny.

– ‘Barzini is dead. So is Phillip Tattaglia. Moe Greene. Stracci. Cuneo. Today I settled all family business so don’t tell me that you’re innocent. Admit what you did. ‘

– ‘There are negotiations being made that are going to answer all of your questions and solve all of your problems. That’s all I can tell you right now. Carlo, you grew up in Nevada. When we make our move there you’re going to be my right hand man. Tom Hagen is no longer Consigliari. He’s going to be our lawyer in Vegas. That’s no reflection on Tom it’s just the way I want it. Besides, if I ever help who’s a better Consigliari than my father. That’s it.’

– ‘You have to answer for Santino, Carlo. You fingered Sonny for the Barzini people.’
Carlo Rizzi: Mike, you got it all wrong.
Michael Corleone: Ah, that little farce you played with my sister. You think that would fool a Corleone? Carlo Rizzi: Mike, I’m innocent. I swear on the kids. Michael Corleone: Sit down.
Carlo Rizzi: Please don’t do this to me, Mike. Please don’t.’

– ‘Only don’t tell me that you’re innocent. Because it insults my intelligence and it makes me very angry.

Michael Corleone:
Another pezzonovante…
Tom Hagen:
Well — this wasn’t enough time, Michael. Wasn’t enough time…

Michael Corleone:
‘Fredo, you’re my older brother, and I love you. But don’t ever take sides with anyone against the Family again. Ever.

Fredo Corleone:
– Mike! You don’t come to Las Vegas and talk to a man like Moe Greene like that!
Michael Corleone:
– Fredo — you’re my older brother, and I love you. But don’t ever take sides with anyone against the Family again. Ever.

Connie Corleone:
– ‘You wanna know how many men he killed? Read the papers! Read the papers! That’s your husband! THAT’S YOUR HUSBAND!’

Sonny Corleone:
(unwrapping the package of Luca’s bulletproof vest-wrapped fish] What the hell is this? Clemenza: It’s a Sicilian message. It means Luca Brasi sleeps with the fishes.

– Goddamn FBI don’t respect nothin’.

– [Tessio brings in Luca Brasi’s bulletproof vest, delivered with a fish inside] What the hell is this? Clemenza: It’s a Sicilian message. It means Luca Brasi sleeps with the fishes.

– You touch my sister again and I’ll kill you.’i don’t want my brother to come out of that toilet with just his dick in his hand.’

– ‘She’s hysterical…..hysterical.

– it’s not personal Sonny, It’s strictly bussiness.

– Get him a drink. Don’t be afraid, Carlo. Come on, you think I’d make my sister a widow? I’m Godfather to your son.

Clemenza:
– It’s a Sicilian message. It means Luca Brasi sleeps with the fishes.

– Drop the gun, take the canoli

– “They should have stopped Hitler at Munich. They should’a never let him get away wit’ dat. They were just askin’ for big trouble when they let him get away wit’ dat.”

Sollozzo:
– “Come on, if I wanted you dead you would be dead already.”

Carlo Rizzi:
– “Go on, you spoiled guinea brat, break it all, break it all! Now clean it up! Clean it up! Clean it up!”

McCluskey:
– ‘I frisked him, he’s clean. I’ve frisked a thousand young punks.

Barzini:
– ‘Surely he can charge a fee for such services. After all, we are not Communists.

Calo:
– In Sicily, women are more dangerous than shotguns.