godfather - script

video fragment = ?

first scene :

INT DAY: DON'S OFFICE (SUMMER 1945)

The PARAMOUNT Logo is presented austerely over a black
background.  There is a moment's hesitation, and then the
simple words in white lettering:

					  THE GODFATHER

While this remains, we hear: "I believe in America."
Suddenly we are watching in CLOSE VIEW, AMERIGO BONASERA, a
man of sixty, dressed in a black suit, on the verge of great
emotion.

					BONASERA
			America has made my fortune.

As he speaks, THE VIEW imperceptibly begins to loosen.

					BONASERA
			I raised my daughter in the American
			fashion; I gave her freedom, but
			taught her never to dishonor her
			family.  She found a boy friend,
			not an Italian.  She went to the
			movies with him, stayed out late.
			Two months ago he took her for a
			drive, with another boy friend.
			They made her drink whiskey and
			then they tried to take advantage
			of her.  She resisted; she kept her
			honor.  So they beat her like an
			animal.  When I went to the hospital
			her nose was broken, her jaw was
			shattered and held together by
			wire, and she could not even weep
			because of the pain.

He can barely speak; he is weeping now.

					BONASERA
			I went to the Police like a good
			American.  These two boys were
			arrested and brought to trial.  The
			judge sentenced them to three years
			in prison, and suspended the
			sentence.  Suspended sentence!
			They went free that very day.  I
			stood in the courtroom like a fool,
			and those bastards, they smiled at
			me.  Then I said to my wife, for
			Justice, we must go to The Godfather.

By now, THE VIEW is full, and we see Don Corleone's office
in his home.

The blinds are closed, and so the room is dark, and with
patterned shadows.  We are watching BONASERA over the
shoulder of DON CORLEONE.  TOM HAGEN sits near a small
table, examining some paperwork, and SONNY CORLEONE stands
impatiently by the window nearest his father, sipping from a
glass of wine.  We can HEAR music, and the laughter and
voices of many people outside.

					DON CORLEONE
			Bonasera, we know each other for
			years, but this is the first time
			you come to me for help.  I don't
			remember the last time you invited
			me to your house for coffee...even
			though our wives are friends.

					BONASERA
			What do you want of me?  I'll give
			you anything you want, but do what
			I ask!

					DON CORLEONE
			And what is that Bonasera?

BONASERA whispers into the DON's ear.

					DON CORLEONE
			No.  You ask for too much.

					BONASERA
			I ask for Justice.

					DON CORLEONE
			The Court gave you justice.

					BONASERA
			An eye for an eye!

					DON CORLEONE
			But your daughter is still alive.

					BONASERA
			Then make them suffer as she
			suffers.  How much shall I pay you.

Both HAGEN and SONNY react.

					DON CORLEONE
			You never think to protect yourself
			with real friends.  You think it's
			enough to be an American.  All
			right, the Police protects you,
			there are Courts of Law, so you
			don't need a friend like me.
			But now you come to me and say Don
			Corleone, you must give me justice.
			And you don't ask in respect or
			friendship.  And you don't think to
			call me Godfather; instead you come
			to my house on the day my daughter
			is to be married and you ask me to
			do murder...for money.

					BONASERA
			America has been good to me...

					DON CORLEONE
			Then take the justice from the
			judge, the bitter with the sweet,
			Bonasera.  But if you come to me
			with your friendship, your loyalty,
			then your enemies become my enemies,
			and then, believe me, they would
			fear you...

Slowly, Bonasera bows his head and murmurs.

					BONASERA
			Be my friend.

					DON CORLEONE
			Good.  From me you'll get Justice.

					BONASERA
			Godfather.

					DON CORLEONE
			Some day, and that day may never
			come, I would like to call upon you
			to do me a service in return.

EXT DAY: MALL (SUMMER 1945)

A HIGH ANGLE of the CORLEONE MALL in bright daylight.  There
are at least five hundred guests filling the main courtyard
and gardens.  There is music and laughing and dancing and
countless tables covered with food and wine.

http://www.awesomefilm.com/script/THEGODFATHER.txt [ 3rd draft ]

clip

2008 Theatre UAF Season: R/G are Dead
Copyright © 2007 by filmplus.org. Permission to link to this site is granted.

Film DIRECTORS amazon

Links to Page

director.vtheatre.net & directing.filmplus.org