The Godfather Part II
1974 film by Francis Ford Coppola · Released December 12, 1974
The Godfather Part II is a 1974 American epic gangster film produced and directed by Francis Ford Coppola, loosely based on the 1969 novel The Godfather by Mario Puzo, who co-wrote the screenplay with Coppola. It is both a sequel and a prequel to the 1972 film The Godfather, presenting two parallel dramas: one picks up the 1958 story of Michael Corleone (Al Pacino), the new Don of the Corleone family, protecting the family business in the aftermath of an attempt on his life; the other covers the journey of his father, Vito Corleone (Robert De Niro), from his Sicilian childhood to the founding of his family enterprise in New York City. The ensemble cast also features Robert Duvall, Diane Keaton, Talia Shire, Morgana King, John Cazale, Marianna Hill and Lee Strasberg. Following the first film's success, Paramount Pictures began developing a follow-up, with many of the cast and crew returning.
Cast ages when filming began (October 1973)
- Al Pacino, as Michael Corleone: 33
- Robert Duvall, as Tom Hagen: 42
- Diane Keaton, as Kay Adams Corleone: 27
- Robert De Niro, as Vito Corleone: 30
- Talia Shire, as Connie Corleone: 27
- Morgana King, as Mama Carmela Corleone: 43
- John Cazale, as Fredo Corleone: 38
- Marianna Hill, as Deanna Corleone: 31
- Lee Strasberg, as Hyman Roth: 71
- Michael V. Gazzo, as Frank Pentangeli: 50
- G. D. Spradlin, as Senator Pat Geary: 53
- Dominic Chianese, as Johnny Ola: 42
- Joe Spinell, as Willi Cicci: 36–37
- Gastone Moschin, as Don Fanucci: 44
- Leopoldo Trieste, as Signor Roberto: 56
- Bruno Kirby, as young Peter Clemenza: 24
- Abe Vigoda, as Salvatore Tessio: 52
- James Caan, as Sonny Corleone: 33
- Gianni Russo, as Carlo Rizzi: 29
- Richard Bright, as Al Neri: 36
- Frank Sivero, as Genco Abbandando: 21
- Troy Donahue, as Merle Johnson: 37
- Carmine Caridi, as Carmine Rosato: 39
- Danny Aiello, as Tony Rosato: 40
- Oreste Baldini, as young Vito Corleone: 11
- Maria Carta, as Vito's mother: 39
- Harry Dean Stanton, as F.B.I. agent #1: 47