The Godfather Part III
| The Godfather Part III | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Directed by | Francis Ford Coppola |
| Written by | Mario Puzo, Francis Ford Coppola |
| Produced by | Francis Ford Coppola |
| Starring | Al Pacino, Diane Keaton, Talia Shire, Andy Garcia |
| Distributed by | Paramount Pictures |
Running time | 162 min. |
| Budget | $54,000,000 |
The Godfather, Part III (1990) is the third film in the Godfather trilogy. It completes the story of Michael Corleone, a Mafia godfather who tries to legitimize his crime empire. The plot also involves a fictionalized account of the mysterious 1979 death of Pope John Paul I. The film stars Al Pacino, Diane Keaton, Talia Shire, Andy Garcia, Eli Wallach, Joe Mantegna, George Hamilton, Bridget Fonda, and Sofia Coppola.
The movie was written by Mario Puzo and Francis Ford Coppola, and directed by Coppola.
Unlike its predecessors, Godfathers Part I and II, Godfather Part III was not as widely critically acclaimed on release, and fans remain divided on its legacy to this day.
Awards
The Godfather Part III was nominated for Academy Awards for Best Actor in a Supporting Role (Andy Garcia), Best Art Direction-Set Decoration, Best Cinematography, Best Director, Best Film Editing, Best Music, Song (for Carmine Coppola and John Bettis for "Promise Me You'll Remember") and Best Picture.'
Plot Synopsis
The final chapter of the Corleone saga begins in 1979. Micheal Corleone is now in his sixties, his children are grown and he has not seen his ex-wife Kay(now remarried to a judge) in eight years. Tom Hagen is dead, his son Andrew (John Savage has become a priest. Feeling that he may have made the wrong choices in life, Micheal seeks to legitimatize the family business. But these plans are upset by Vincent Mancini(Michael's illegitimate nephew) and his nemesis Joey Zaza. There is also a subplot regarding corruption in the Vatican.
Casting
Al Pacino, Diane Keaton, and Talia Shire reprised their roles from the first two movies, but Robert Duvall, who played Tom Hagen in the first two films, refused to take part, forcing Coppola to rewrite his screenplay, which was originally focused on a confrontation between Michael and Tom. Sofia Coppola, the director's daughter, was forced into the role of Michael Corleone's daughter at the last minute when Winona Ryder became ill and was unable to take part in the film. As an infant, Sofia had played Corleone's infant nephew in The Godfather, and her character's aunt is played by her real-life aunt, Talia Shire. Sofia's much-criticized performance resulted in her father being accused of nepotism.
Historical Background
Parts of the film are very loosely based on real historical events concerning the very short Papacy of John Paul I in 1978 and the collapse of the Banco Ambrosiano in 1982. Like the character Cardinal Lamberto, who becomes John Paul I, the historical John Paul I, Albino Luciani, reigned for only a very short time before being found dead in his bed. Journalist David Yallop argues that Luciani was planning a reform of Vatican finances and that he died by poisoning; these claims are reflected in the film. Yallop also names as a suspect Archbishop Paul Marcinkus, who was the head of the Vatican bank, like the character Archbishop Gilday in the film. However, while Marcinkus was noted for his muscular physique and Chicago origins, Gilday is a mild Irishman. The character of Frederick Keinszig, the Swiss banker who is murdered and left hanging under a bridge, mirrors the fate (and physical appearance) of Roberto Calvi, the Italian head of the Banco Ambrosiano who was found hanging under Blackfriars Bridge in London in 1982 (although it has not yet been proven if Calvi was murdered). The character of Licio Lucchesi, who moves between the church, organised crime and Italian politics, recalls Licio Gelli, head of the P2 Masonic lodge.
Trivia
- The character of Joey Zaza was an inspiration for Fat Tony, the resident mob boss on The Simpsons. Interestingly enough, both are portrayed by Joe Mantengna.
Bibliography
- Rupert Cornwell, God's Banker: The Life and Death of Roberto Calvi, Victor Gollancz Ltd, 1984.
- David Yallop, In God's Name: An Investigation into the Murder of Pope John Paul I, Corgi, 1987
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