A somber, epic crime drama that charts the corrosive deep-seated rot of power and the tragic unraveling of a family, painted in haunting shadows and golden-hued memories.
The Godfather Part II
"The rise and fall of the Corleone empire."
Director:
Francis Ford Coppola
Cast:
Al Pacino, Robert Duvall, Diane Keaton, Robert De Niro, John Cazale
Drama
Crime
Budget:
$13,000,000
Box Office:
$102,600,000
The Godfather Part II - Easter Eggs & Hidden Details
Easter Eggs
During the scenes in Little Italy showing a young Vito Corleone delivering groceries, a man can be seen in the background stealing a pepper from a woman's shopping basket.
This is a subtle, blink-and-you'll-miss-it detail that adds to the texture and authenticity of the bustling, and sometimes desperate, street life of early 20th-century Little Italy. It's a small moment of background action that enriches the environment in which Vito is beginning his rise.
The musical play that Vito and Genco attend in New York, titled "Senza Mamma," was actually written by Francis Ford Coppola's grandfather, Francesco Pennino.
This is a personal tribute from Coppola to his own family history. The play's theme, about a son who travels to America and leaves his mother behind, mirrors Vito's own story, adding a layer of thematic resonance to the scene.
Among the senators investigating Michael Corleone are several notable figures from the film world, including legendary low-budget director Roger Corman and acclaimed sci-fi writer Richard Matheson.
This is an inside joke and a nod to Coppola's peers and influences in the film industry. Their non-actor presence adds a subtle layer of realism and a winking cameo for film buffs.